Home invasions are incredibly rare. I made the mistake years ago of reading about 2 really horrific cases I have regretted it ever since. I never think about it, except when I'm trying to sleep while my DH is out of town.

I sleep with white noise so that I don't think every creak or house noise is an intruder. Then I also run through the list of people I know who have had someone break into their house. It's zero. I know a lot of people! Zero people have had this issue. Cars? Yes. Houses while they are sleeping? Never. That helps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

I am aware of paranoia and propaganda. But this doesn't negate the fact that crime of all kinds is on the rise even in the safest neighborhoods. It's also a change of environment for me as I mostly lived in the cities and highrise buildings with security (locked doors, or doormen). What does this have to do with any political leanings I have no idea. Being on the ground floor without metal bars on windows is not what I am used to. I feel exposed.

You were not safer in your high-rise, honestly: outsiders get into those all the time, or the residents themselves commit crimes against neighbors. This is mostly in your head and seems like it may be interfering with your enjoyment of your new house. Anxiety that interferes with your life deserves treatment. A couple sessions with a therapist may really help you.

Also, try to get to know your new neighbors. Not only will they tell you what's up in your neighborhood, but most neighbors look out for each other and notice when somebody unusual is around. Mine will text me if a solicitor is going door to door, so I don't bother to answer.

I know my neighbors, but I can't rely on them monitoring my property especially if burglars appear in vehicles we see a lot of (solicitors, construction/landscaping, maid/pool services, etc). Neighbors also don't know if a car pulling into your driveway belongs to your friend or a foe.

So with all those vehicles around -- have your neighbors been burglarized?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

I am aware of paranoia and propaganda. But this doesn't negate the fact that crime of all kinds is on the rise even in the safest neighborhoods. It's also a change of environment for me as I mostly lived in the cities and highrise buildings with security (locked doors, or doormen). What does this have to do with any political leanings I have no idea. Being on the ground floor without metal bars on windows is not what I am used to. I feel exposed.

You were not safer in your high-rise, honestly: outsiders get into those all the time, or the residents themselves commit crimes against neighbors. This is mostly in your head and seems like it may be interfering with your enjoyment of your new house. Anxiety that interferes with your life deserves treatment. A couple sessions with a therapist may really help you.

Also, try to get to know your new neighbors. Not only will they tell you what's up in your neighborhood, but most neighbors look out for each other and notice when somebody unusual is around. Mine will text me if a solicitor is going door to door, so I don't bother to answer.

I know my neighbors, but I can't rely on them monitoring my property especially if burglars appear in vehicles we see a lot of (solicitors, construction/landscaping, maid/pool services, etc). Neighbors also don't know if a car pulling into your driveway belongs to your friend or a foe.

It's possible that I had a false sense of security in a highrise, but there you are one little fish in a sea and someone must know you and what's in your apartment to specifically target it. People don't come to your front door, there is no way. There is intercom with a camera, or there is a doorman. Even if people piggyback the worst that happens is theft of packages (which isn't uncommon for SFHs either). We may have one violent crime once in a blue moon with a rapist or a robber following a woman to her building and sneaking in behind to get into the elevator. This is also easy enough to avoid with vigilance, you always watch your back. If I see weird people loitering by the entrance, I would use a diff entrance or I would wait in front of where the cameras are and good lighting or walk away and come back. I looked over my shoulder, I made sure nobody follows me. I never got into the elevator with someone who acts suspicious. I guess I didn't feel like I had a privilege of being safe, so took more precautions?

I have lived in SFHs for most of my life, in a variety of suburban neighborhood settings. Father and husband are both military so I've been home alone A LOT. Nothing more than a few trivial incidents (unlocked cars rummaged through; magazine subscription scam) have ever happened.

Get a Ring doorbell, a real or fake security camera, motion sensor lights. I also use the Home app on my phone to turn interior lights on/off at will. Lock windows and doors at night and before you leave for the day. Don't answer the door to people you don't know. Make friends with a neighbor who will keep an eye on the property if you're away for an extended period so that flyers or newspapers don't pile up.

This is just my own paranoia, but I also don't put signs in my yard--no political signs, no "my kid is a Wakehurst graduate", not even "hate has no home here"--nothing. I don't want people just walking by to know anything personal about my family or our beliefs. No need to inadvertently poke the crazies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

.

Yes, statistically speaking you're much more likely to shoot your spouse or your kid than a burglar. I 100% would not recommend someone with anxiety have a firearm.

I’m from a LE family. There is a large number of people with guns who cannot shoot an intruder when it happens. Many people cannot kill another person.

Anonymous wrote:Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

The human trafficking content-farming on social media is insane and they have no idea what trafficking actually entails.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

I am aware of paranoia and propaganda. But this doesn't negate the fact that crime of all kinds is on the rise even in the safest neighborhoods. It's also a change of environment for me as I mostly lived in the cities and highrise buildings with security (locked doors, or doormen). What does this have to do with any political leanings I have no idea. Being on the ground floor without metal bars on windows is not what I am used to. I feel exposed.

You were not safer in your high-rise, honestly: outsiders get into those all the time, or the residents themselves commit crimes against neighbors. This is mostly in your head and seems like it may be interfering with your enjoyment of your new house. Anxiety that interferes with your life deserves treatment. A couple sessions with a therapist may really help you.

Also, try to get to know your new neighbors. Not only will they tell you what's up in your neighborhood, but most neighbors look out for each other and notice when somebody unusual is around. Mine will text me if a solicitor is going door to door, so I don't bother to answer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

.

Yes, statistically speaking you're much more likely to shoot your spouse or your kid than a burglar. I 100% would not recommend someone with anxiety have a firearm.

IDK how many times I have to say that I don't want a dog. I don't have funds for dog sitters and accommodating dogs when we are away. I like dogs, but I am not really a dog person and I don't want to take care of any dogs. Don't have time for walking them, playing with them and it's unfair to the dog to be adopted by someone using them for utilitarian purpose only. I am also afraid of large dogs myself..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a dog

This is my solution.

I can't have a dog, not an option. Alarm would be probably what I must do. Are they really effective, are burglars really going to avoid homes with alarm signs posted? Someone suggested to me to get a fake sign and put it in the yard as a deterrent. Can burglars tell?

The primary purpose of the alarm is that you know you're safe. Heard a weird noise? It was nothing, because the alarm didn't go off. Want to go check it out anyway? Take the alarm button with you just in case.

Cameras work the same way. Hear a weird noise? Check the camera to see if somebody's out there. Find a door open or something missing? Check the camera to see what happened.

Deterrence is a tertiary purpose. I think really good outdoor lights and door locks are probably just as good at deterring. All the burglaries I know about are from unlocked cars or garage doors left open overnight.

Anonymous wrote:Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

I am aware of paranoia and propaganda. But this doesn't negate the fact that crime of all kinds is on the rise even in the safest neighborhoods. It's also a change of environment for me as I mostly lived in the cities and highrise buildings with security (locked doors, or doormen). What does this have to do with any political leanings I have no idea. Being on the ground floor without metal bars on windows is not what I am used to. I feel exposed.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

In that case I should just keep my doors wide open, it would be the biggest deterrent. Honestly, my biggest concern is violence. Burglars who get startled or threatened can hurt you. And there are other types of criminals. It's why I don't open doors to strangers.

Most of dcum is blissfully unaware of right wing social media crime content.

TikTok once fed me a video about people putting zip ties on women’s car handles to mark them for human trafficking or something that was so stupid I commented, which was even more stupid because then I got an avalanche of them.

Seriously a lot of Republican women are deathly afraid that someone is going to snatch them from the target parking lot. I think it’s like a strange LARP that gives them a little buzz as they go through their day.

People “casing” your house is another common one.

Aside from what has been mentioned, we make sure DH’s truck is always kept in the garage and mine is always outside in our driveway so that when he travels (frequently and takes his truck), it’s not obvious that his car is gone.

Anonymous wrote: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.

.

Yes, statistically speaking you're much more likely to shoot your spouse or your kid than a burglar. I 100% would not recommend someone with anxiety have a firearm.

Anonymous wrote: I had some missionaries knock on the door who had looked up our name (which strongly suggests a certain nationality) and they asked if anyone here spoke that language. When asked, they admitted they'd looked up our name. I got rid of them and didn't convert to their religion that day.

Lol, we got that. My husband's last name looks Portuguese but is actually Ukrainian. They just went away like all the proselytizers.

Expect people to do political doorknocking near elections. Sometimes even candidates.