Afraid of being cased by burglars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an urban legend that burglars "case the joint" first.

This. I’ve been a prosecutor for a decade. Virtually every residential burglary I’ve worked on has been a crime of opportunity. Burglars aren’t looking to target a specific victim. They’re looking for homes that are unlocked, under construction, or visibly unoccupied for long periods of time. I worry about a lot of things, but a burglary isn’t one of them.

Or it seems very targeted. The thieves break in and go right for the safe knowing exactly where it is. They either know the victims or have been in the house before, totally not random.

[Anonymous]

put bars on your windows

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an urban legend that burglars "case the joint" first.

This. I’ve been a prosecutor for a decade. Virtually every residential burglary I’ve worked on has been a crime of opportunity. Burglars aren’t looking to target a specific victim. They’re looking for homes that are unlocked, under construction, or visibly unoccupied for long periods of time. I worry about a lot of things, but a burglary isn’t one of them.

Or it seems very targeted. The thieves break in and go right for the safe knowing exactly where it is. They either know the victims or have been in the house before, totally not random.

This. When you hear about "violent home invasion," typically the victims were targeted for a specific reason and are often known by the attacker.

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity in an empty home.

[Anonymous]

Glock and a German Shepard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These people are unlikely to be burglars but they are annoying. Get a no-soliciting sign and a visible camera by the doors, and then ignore them. If you want to show someone's home, lights or TV noise can do that.

Mostly, get to know your house and its noises, and get to know your neighbors. And stop listening crime podcasts or whatever is giving you these fears.

Don't get a dog to feel safe unless you're also going to feel safe walking it alone, letting it out at night, etc. Get a recording of a dog barking if that makes you feel better.

I actually considered this. Would require some powerful speakers to sound authentic

I would not get a dog for security reasons, I cannot take care of a large dog. We are also gone a lot in the summer, which is another aspect that makes me paranoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an urban legend that burglars "case the joint" first.

This. I’ve been a prosecutor for a decade. Virtually every residential burglary I’ve worked on has been a crime of opportunity. Burglars aren’t looking to target a specific victim. They’re looking for homes that are unlocked, under construction, or visibly unoccupied for long periods of time. I worry about a lot of things, but a burglary isn’t one of them.

Or it seems very targeted. The thieves break in and go right for the safe knowing exactly where it is. They either know the victims or have been in the house before, totally not random.

This. When you hear about "violent home invasion," typically the victims were targeted for a specific reason and are often known by the attacker.

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity in an empty home.

It doesn’t have to be violent. Simply wait for the homeowners to leave.

[Anonymous]

Put up a NRA sign in your yard.

[Anonymous]

For burglars, don't have the nicest-looking house on the block. We were burgled and it was either our next door neighbors (group house) or someone who had picked us because of this. At the time I had a weird schedule and was home a lot and yes, we did have a dog, but we were not exactly sure when it happened (pre-Ring) until I couldn't find my wedding ring and then we found that the basement door had been broken into.

[Anonymous]

We have a recording of our friends two German Shepards barking and can play that sound in the background when talking through the Ring camera. You can also leave mens worn workboots right outside your front door so it implies a man is there inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an urban legend that burglars "case the joint" first.

This. I’ve been a prosecutor for a decade. Virtually every residential burglary I’ve worked on has been a crime of opportunity. Burglars aren’t looking to target a specific victim. They’re looking for homes that are unlocked, under construction, or visibly unoccupied for long periods of time. I worry about a lot of things, but a burglary isn’t one of them.

Or it seems very targeted. The thieves break in and go right for the safe knowing exactly where it is. They either know the victims or have been in the house before, totally not random.

which is my other anxiety... hiring people to do work on the house. Inviting people I barely know over - I don't do this. I only hire ppl with large number of reviews, but even then some of these companies send employees to you and you never know. I am not overly paranoid as our house is rather modest and no signs of wealth inside. I don't even have a safe,nothing to store

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a recording of our friends two German Shepards barking and can play that sound in the background when talking through the Ring camera. You can also leave mens worn workboots right outside your front door so it implies a man is there inside.

I will look into buying a device that can play dog barking sounds. I don't know how effective workboots or any other tricks are though, I am sure thieves know them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an urban legend that burglars "case the joint" first.

This. I’ve been a prosecutor for a decade. Virtually every residential burglary I’ve worked on has been a crime of opportunity. Burglars aren’t looking to target a specific victim. They’re looking for homes that are unlocked, under construction, or visibly unoccupied for long periods of time. I worry about a lot of things, but a burglary isn’t one of them.

Or it seems very targeted. The thieves break in and go right for the safe knowing exactly where it is. They either know the victims or have been in the house before, totally not random.

which is my other anxiety... hiring people to do work on the house. Inviting people I barely know over - I don't do this. I only hire ppl with large number of reviews, but even then some of these companies send employees to you and you never know. I am not overly paranoid as our house is rather modest and no signs of wealth inside. I don't even have a safe,nothing to store

Then you won’t be worth the trouble. I lived in a pricy LA area near a freeway that was a hot target for burglars. I would read about my neighbors homes being robbed of jewelry, designer bags, and safes full of foreign and domestic cash and thought the thieves would be mighty disappointed in my house. These thieves knew these people had this stuff, if you have nothing, you have a lot less to worry about.

[Anonymous]

I’m a widow and live alone. I have cameras and keep my doors locked. I feel perfectly safe. Live your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For burglars, don't have the nicest-looking house on the block. We were burgled and it was either our next door neighbors (group house) or someone who had picked us because of this. At the time I had a weird schedule and was home a lot and yes, we did have a dog, but we were not exactly sure when it happened (pre-Ring) until I couldn't find my wedding ring and then we found that the basement door had been broken into.

Didn't understand, did burglars pick you because your house is the nicest on the block or it's the other way around, it's a more modest one on the block? They generally would go for easy targets. We have some misconceptions that go both ways.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I have two dogs. One is 130 pounds. The dogs have stopped 2 attempted burglaries. I refuse to own a gun because statistics. Dogs offer companionship, exercise buddies, and safety. Highly recommend a dog.