Anonymous wrote:Hi OP--I totally understand. We had lived in high rises for years and whether it was rational or not, I felt much safer. I could barely sleep when we first moved into our SFH and spent way too much time and energy worrying about break-ins. Several years later, I very rarely think about it. I was super self aware about this being anxiety and since I couldn't just turn it off like a switch, I needed to find a way to productively manage it. Here are some active steps I took that gave me relief:

-alarm system. I arm is at night and have it serviced regularly. I have smart locks on doors so I can see that they are locked on my phone app. This is worth the initial investment.

-I have a rod in the sliding glass door track

-we invited neighbors over and took their invitations. We are on friendly terms with all of them. It took some effort but truly, this is the most important thing. We really look out for one another and I feel SO much safer knowing they'd be there for me if I needed them and vice versa.

-I like to be the last person to lock up at night. It gives me peace of mind and is a simple, productive way to cope.

-I shared my feelings with my DH. I explained that I knew most of my fears were irrational but I was struggling. He asked how he could help (instead of minimizing). I'm so much more chill because of how supportive he is.

-I teach my kids to keep the doors locked when we're home.

-I don't post on social media when we are travelling until after we are home. I don't tell a million people we're going away ahead of time.

-I do not read every news story about home break ins or google information about them. That was NOT helpful.

-time. Once you have lived in your house for a couple of years, you will find that you gradually begin to trust that you are safe.

I know how you feel. It is not crazy. Try to find the coping strategies that are realistic to maintain and give you a sense of power over the anxious feelings. Recognize that these feelings will pass! If the intensity ramps up and starts to impact your daily life, talk to a therapist. We all experience anxiety at some point and there are very effective treatments available. Take care, OP!

Anonymous wrote:

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

Not always true. Our house was cased. Our house appeared unoccupied because we were early birds commuting together using one car so one car stayed behind. That made it appear that we were gone on vacation since they were showing up for their “casing job” later than when we were leaving for work. They eventually showed up, tried to bust the doors down but we deterred them by making our presence know.

This was about 6 or 7pm in early winter in Rockville. According to the police they were doing this all over lower Montgomery County, not just where we were. They had been spotted casing but moved around so much they were hard to catch. This was a few years ago, so not an active situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a dog

Dedicated burglars and home invaders are not at all deterred by a dog. A dog can easily be dispatched in seconds. Some even prefer that, because it emotionally destroys the occupants of the home.


-a former CJS counselor

A large barking dog does deter most burglars.

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

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a dog

Dedicated burglars and home invaders are not at all deterred by a dog. A dog can easily be dispatched in seconds. Some even prefer that, because it emotionally destroys the occupants of the home.


-a former CJS counselor

A large barking dog does deter most burglars.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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:I'm a suburban mom who used to work in the criminal justice system. The reality is the vast majority of crime is low confrontation opportunity. Taking packages, unlocked bikes, etc. Most thieves don't want to be around people because it makes their chances of being hurt or arrested greater. So just lock your doors, secure your stuff.

If you're consumed with fears of home invasion burglaries, talk to someone, that's anxiety.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a dog

Dedicated burglars and home invaders are not at all deterred by a dog. A dog can easily be dispatched in seconds. Some even prefer that, because it emotionally destroys the occupants of the home.


-a former CJS counselor