Comprehensive Guide - Lowering Your Risk Of Being A Crime Victim
A break-in is traumatic. It is an invasion of your space, privacy, security, and sense of safety. You may feel as though some of the steps below are a bit extreme or even paranoid; however, when it comes to your safety and security, you can’t ever be too prepared. Like trust, once a sense of security has eroded, it can be nearly impossible to rebuild.
There is a lot of material. We have already covered what you should be most aware of during the holiday season (you can go back and read it later). Now, we are going to breakdown our thoughts, our actions, and how they affect our environment in relation to personal and physical security over the next week.
What do burglars look for in a home? In no particular order, these are the things that are trends and what you can do to mitigate your risk:
Crime Watch - You can join right now! You don’t need to worry since it will open a new window and then you can come back right here. You can pickup where we left off.
Don’t Answer The Door For Strangers - Most robberies occur during the day between 10am and 3pm when it is warm outside in July and August. According to the FBI, the time range they are in your home can vary greatly, especially if it is dependent upon a specifically targeted item of interest; however, typical commission time is between eight and ten minutes, but about three in our area. If a stranger knocks on your door, make sure they know you’re home, but don’t answer the door. Thieves prefer empty homes. If you choose to answer the door, do so while on the phone with a friend (or pretend you’re on the phone). This will key a burglar in to the fact that someone else will know if a break-in occurs.
Watch For People Taking Photos - In today’s world, pretty much everyone has a camera on their phone. It is easier than ever before for people to snap a quick photo of your home for later. With new home builds, it is simple to go to the model for a tour to see the layout of our homes as well. If you notice someone taking pictures of your house and walking away, this likely a red flag. The only time I have ever experienced it that it was permissible is when it was a Real Estate Broker, Agent, Surveyor, Investor, or Appraiser. They don’t mind when you ask who they are and most drive wrapped or logo’d vehicles. We must vigilantly look for suspicious activity and alert our local law enforcement if we perceive a threat. Your help could aid them in an ongoing investigation or better yet, stop one altogether.
New Runner/Walker - When a criminal is casing a home, they may appear to be innocently walking or jogging by, but they will likely linger for a prolonged period near your home to scope it out. If you notice this type of behavior, take note of their appearance for future reference. The same goes for foot traffic near your house, if you notice a stranger frequently walking near or past your home, they may be scoping your house out in search of weak points.
Be A Good Witness - Be sure to get a good look at the individual (and purchase high quality security cameras that can distinguish faces if you can) to have an accurate description to give to the police. Keep in mind that not every new person who walks past your home and casts a glance your way is a potential burglar. If you see a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood, write down the license plate number or snap a photo. It may turn out to be an unknown visitor from down the street, but it won’t hurt to have the info if it turns out to be someone up to no good.
Strangers With Strange Requests - Some thieves or burglars will knock at the front door asking for help, say, a glass of water, use of your bathroom, looking for a missing dog, need directions, or confirmation of certain things like an ad on Craigslist. They normally would knock at the door at the time when people are not expected to be home, around mid-morning and mid-afternoon when most of the housewives are out running errands or out picking up kids. Some homeowners point out some strangers pretending to be a handyman or someone who has done repair work or remodeling job on your new house and they will come back checking out your house. That doesn’t happen without you initiating contact.
Flyers & Stickers - Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded. It is wise to remove any flyers from your home immediately. If you are going to be out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to remove any flyers, packages, or newspapers that could be piling up outside your home indicating that you are away.
Peephole/Doorbell Camera - If you have a solid door, install a standard wide-angle 190-degree peephole mounted no higher than fifty-eight inches to provide maximum visibility for your household. If you have an adult in your home that can’t see through that height, please install a second at his or her level of comfort. I prefer to use my cameras now, but I understand that not everyone is comfortable with them and they can be costly. We had two peepholes at our former home because I am significantly shorter than my husband.
Alarm Systems - Homes without alarm systems are three times more likely to be burglarized. Even if you can’t afford an alarm, you can purchase a dummy camera with a blinking light and alarm signs to place by all of your doors in the meantime. I like to have fun with them and trade signs with friends, so each sign has a different company name on it. Alarm systems also make your homeowner’s insurance rates go down. I suggest starting small with a WiFi based system and adding to it as you can. I like to have the freedom of owning my equipment and being in control of it, but I have unique expertise most don’t. I love Ring because we have Echoes throughout our home, so I can say, “Alexa, show me the front door”, or any other camera at any time, and she will give me live camera footage. I can also answer the door when I am in another part of the home or not even at here.
Nice Lawns, Cars, and Expensive “Toys” - Well manicured landscapes, high-end vehicles, and expensive “toys” for adults all scream disposable income and high-value items inside. Please keep up the lawn; however, store the flashy toys in the garage away from sight.
Expensive Items Through a Window - I love the open concept floor plans and natural lighting; however, there is a lot to be said for privacy alone - not just security. You can open blinds when you are at home. You can also keep them closed while angling them up which will still allow the sunlight in, but you will still have the peace of mind that comes with safety and security.
Back Entry Driveways & Alley Access - They prefer to enter through the back where they are less likely to be seen. Studies have also shown that people that live in front-entry drive homes have less crime because they see their neighbors and get to know one another better. The configuration naturally fights crime. It is one of the reasons we chose to move to Paloma Creek.
Teenagers - They have a lot of small electronics and accessories that are easy to sell, but please don’t toss the kids out because they are more likely to make your home a target. This is a great opportunity to teach them how to responsibly lockup their items when they aren’t in use before they move away from home. Between phones, laptops, tablets, games, and ear pods, I don’t know how people afford kids anymore. My mom complained because she had to pay for me to have my own home phone number. She got a deal! Amazon has some great safes that your teens can purchase (another life lesson in responsibility) and you can assist them while they install it.
Bushes Covering Windows - They are the perfect place to easily hide. Please do not block your windows. It makes surveillance up close and personal, extremely easy. I know many parents that have strategically placed beautiful hollies below all of their windows which makes it difficult to get in or out due to their prickly leaves that are caused by heterophylly. The unusual leaf formation is beautiful year round and can be pruned and shaped into anything you like.
Center Homes - Homes in the center of the block are naturally less visible than those on the end by design, so they are more likely to be targeted. Since we can’t all have high visibility corner lots, we need to make up for it in other areas.
Stranger In Strange Car - Burglars often sit in vehicles with tinted windows to mask their identity. If you notice a car parked near your home for a period of time with no explanation, don’t be shy about calling the police and voicing your concern. Chances are they will be more than happy to swing by and look into it for you. They could be casing the neighborhood.
Loose Items - Please do not leave burglars’ favorite items outside your home for them to break in with. We don’t want to weaponize the enemy. Their preferred items are things like large rocks, bricks, pavers, screwdrivers, channel-lock pliers, small pry bars, tire irons, and hammers, but if they are determined they will use just about anything, including brute force.
No Deadbolts - Every door that goes into your home needs a deadbolt (even one to the garage). Not including the allowances for the strike plate, it should go into the wall a minimum of one inch. My entire family prefers key less. If you would like an example of the key less type setup, you can see what the interior garage, backdoor, and front door would look like with this system by Yale although I still recommend a minimum of two locks per door, they will replace everything that is currently pre-drilled in most Paloma Creek homes. These are not affiliate links, but I like the brand. I am also a huge fan of Schlage. They come highly recommended by law enforcement as well. Yes, you pay for the brand name, but you also get the superior quality that comes with it. If you just aren’t the internet shopping type, I used to purchase everything for my commercial properties from A-1. They are the best of the best at A-1 Locksmith and they can walk you through everything in person. I drive to Addison because that is the only location I have ever used; however, they have a new Frisco location that is closer to us. They sell safes too!
You Don’t Use The Alarm - Studies have shown that only 10% of you use it properly. You need to arm it and disarm it. You should also setup the “armed and away” and “armed and home” options, so you can freely move about your home while it is armed. Please be cautious with motion sensors and large pets. Motion detectors will tell you how large a pet you can have and whether they are pet friendly. Your alarm doesn’t work unless you use it.
Ignoring Alarms - We have all been conditioned to kind of drown out car and home alarms as white noise. You could stop a crime or save a life. You never know. When you know your neighbors, you can send a quick text or call them ensuring they are safe. They might not even be aware that their alarm is going off.
Safe(ty) Words - They have a myriad of uses. Please set up a safety word with your neighbors prior to an incident and be clear on its usage (e.g., we are okay or we are in distress, so in the event of a home invasion, hostage situation, domestic violence, or similar incident), they can use the safety word if needed.
For instance, my former roommate’s safety word was “Jesus”. If I, her parents, or the alarm monitoring called to check in on her, she would say, “Praise Jesus! I am just fine!” Then, we knew she was in danger and were able to call 911 for her.
Another way to apply safe words is with your children. Please contact your child’s school to have a few authorized individuals that you trust on file with the school. Then, when they arrive in the carpool lane, they can give your child’s name, their name, and show their identification to verify their identity with school staff. Then in the event of emergency, if the designated pickup person is unable to make it to school on time for drop off, the child can be reassured by the person with the use of the safety word.
Long Alarm Delays - Even with an alarm, once a burglar is in, time is of the essence. The clock is literally ticking if your alarm is set. What is your delay at? Fifteen, thirty, or sixty seconds? I bet it is a full minute. They can be in and out of your home before the siren even goes off in a minute. While it sounds like a short amount of time, you should try it. Set a timer and see if you can run through every room of your house in under a minute. Remember, they don’t really care if they break anything. They don’t have any respect for your home, personal space, or belongings. I suggest setting your system’s siren delay for ten seconds. That should give you ample time to disarm it in the event that you forget.
Improperly Mounted Strike Plates - Doors and windows are the primary means criminals get into your home, so the most common way the amateur burglar attempts entry is to kick open one of your doors. The weakest point on a door is the lock strike plate (remember it from earlier?) that holds the latch, latch bolt, and/or deadbolt in place. Usually, this strike plate is secured only by a soft-wood door jamb molding and can be torn with a firm kick or strong shoulder. To make it extremely difficult for a criminal to force their way into your home consider using a solid core wood or metal door for all entrance points with a quality, heavy-duty deadbolt that has a one-inch throw bolt that securely engages into the strike plate. Use a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws that penetrate into the wood door frame. If you are using a metal door and frame, you can secure the frame to your home at multiple points prior to installing the strike plate. I recommend pre-drilling the holes first. Please make sure you have the correct bit size and type prior to making any holes.
Sliding Glass Doors - This is one of their favorites. As a former security professional, I firmly believe there is a special place in Hell for all glass doors, anything that slides vertically, revolving doors, and double doors that “lock” in the center. Please install a wooden dowel or old broomstick into the bottom of the door track. You should also invest in a “Charlie bar” that is visible. They are a metal folding device that go down, blocking entry, while holding the doors in place and preventing sliding. When I was a child, we had two Charlie bars and two locks on the sliding glass doors for a total of four locks. It was great childproofing as well. Our home wasn’t ever broken into; however, I stopped counting when the new neighbors had been robbed four times while the mother was at carpool pickup. The third lock was an anti-lift device which will prevent a criminal from lifting a sliding glass door or forcing it open horizontally which should be placed high, so small children can’t access it. Of course, Amazon sells all sorts of intimidating stickers that you can apply as well to augment your sign on the glass indicating that you have an alarm system installed. Check EVERY time you leave the house and before you go to bed that your sliding glass doors are secured. Kids love to run in and out during the summer and a door that appears shut may have been left unlocked.
Full Glass Door, Partial Glass Door, and/or a Window Beside Your Door - If you have glass door, consider installing decorative or “privacy” glass to prevent the would-be robber from peering inside your home to see if anyone may be home and sizing up what items you have that are ripe for stealing. If you must have glass, ask for reinforced glass that makes it challenging to break. If you need to reinforce something inexpensively, you can do what I did to a rental home I lived in. I purchased a sheet of clear acetate (think thick plastic sheeting) at a local home improvement store. I had the dimensions and they were nice enough to cut it to size for me. Then, I pre-dilled holes in it so that it would make the perfect overlay for the glass in the door. I am a measure twice, cut once type, so I recommend making a template first with the back of lined wrapping paper (check with your Property Manager to make sure you are allowed to make the change to the property). It is clear and impact-resistant. It will prevent someone from easily breaking out a window pane in your door, sticking their arm in, and letting themselves in within seconds. If you don’t want to look at the edges that lay over the sides of the glass approximately an inch, you can hide them with curtains. The other option that is security film, but I decided against it in the rental because the door was weak and there were nine panes and two panels that could have easily been removed. The film would have been less effective and a pain to install on so many small panes! It is the perfect option for modern doors in good condition with one piece of glass. I prefer clear, but it comes in one-way mirror, tints, and stained glass prints. Just check with the HOA first if you deviate from clear.
Unlocked Doors & Windows - Maybe, you didn’t lock your door or window when you were away because you were “only going to (insert excuse here) for a moment”. It takes seconds for a burglar to strike. You certainly don’t want to come home to one in the commission of a crime either. Many burglars will observe a homeowner’s patterns. For example, if they know you walk across the street every Wednesday morning to have coffee with a friend and your home is unlocked, when do you think they will arrive? Are you going to get the mail at the end of the block and walk the dog? Lock everything up.
Unlocked Car - Please lock your car to deter crime, keep stolen guns off of the streets, and prevent deaths of curious children. There isn’t an excuse. I see all of your posts on social media that you have been robbed, but your cars are rarely broken into. Please do not allow yourself to be lulled into a false sense of security. When crime goes down, it is easy to become comfortable, complacent, and lackadaisical in our responsibilities, but that is what they are waiting for. They can also take your keys and/or garage remote without you possibly knowing and return later with potentially catastrophic consequences. Re-keying cars is expensive.
Dark Garage - Make sure garage lights can be turned on from inside the house and have a sensor that is triggered by your vehicle or garage door opener so you don’t have to walk into a dark garage. It is easy for someone to hide and potentially attack you. This garage light is amazingly bright, inexpensive, and easy to install!
Garage Remote - Please change your garage-door opener code!!! Did you know that new openers come with factory preset codes that are meant to be changed? Burglars will drive around neighborhoods with common brands of remote openers (builders buy in bulk), looking for garage doors that will open. They also sell universal and “code stealer” remotes, so please be aware of who is around when you open and close your door. Don’t keep your automatic garage door openers clipped to the visor in your car. Thieves know that a garage door opener remote is another key to your home and they won’t hesitate to take it if they find it. Please replace it with a key chain remote that you can keep with you at all times or get a smart garage door opener to open and close your garage door from anywhere via your smartphone. Thieves can steal the garage door opener and return at any potential time. If you’re guilty of leaving your garage door open, consider installing a garage door sensor or an automatic garage door closer. A sensor can tell you if your overhead door is open or closed and a closer will automatically close the garage after a certain amount of time. For even more protection, consider installing an automatic garage door lock to automatically deadbolt your garage door every time you close it.
“Charlie” Bars - If your door is not secure enough or reinforcing it is outside of your price point at this time (goodness knows things rot, split, shift, crack, and break easily), please get a vertical “Charlie” bar. I know one person that was saved from an attempted home invasion by one shortly after being robbed at gunpoint. Her son got it for her and I am glad he did! When my dad called me because he had lost his keys late at night and couldn’t secure his front door, I arrived with a “Charlie” bar. They are great for dorms, apartments, and rentals too. You can’t put a price on safety and piece of mind, but Amazon can at about $20.
Mail, Packages, & Flyers - Please have your mail placed on hold, packages stopped, and ask someone to stop by twice daily to get anything that may accumulate on your porch while you are out of town. Nothing says, “rob me” like a bunch of flyers stuck to a door and Amazon boxes.
Gifts - We all love to decorate for the holidays; however, it is best that you don’t place items under the tree. You are placing them on display, fully wrapped, ready to go!
Boxes - Please breakdown your boxes, turn them inside out, and wait until as late as possible to place them outside for pickup. They tell potential burglars exactly what you have purchased.
Garage Doors - Please keep your garage closed unless you are in them. When you keep the doors to your garage open (even when you’re home) the open door gives a burglar a sneak preview of what is inside. He can easily discern what tools may be handy to break a lock or use your ladder to climb into a second story window. It also showcases your pricey stored goods like a high-end tools, riding mowers, golf carts, camping gear, and sports equipment. If you’ve converted your garage into a man cave or she shed, he is going to notice your nice TV, alcohol (remember most burglars aren’t old enough to drink, so this could be a big score) behind a bar, neon signs, etc. Do you have an extra refrigerator in the garage? That says that you have enough disposable income to purchase in larger quantities and/or drink Coke. Soda is a luxury item which says, “disposable income”. If you have a freezer and a refrigerator in your garage, tools, a TV, and toys, I can virtually guarantee that you will have plenty of nice items ripe for the picking inside. Keep the door closed! They also have a peak at the door that goes from the garage to the inside of the home which is the weakest exterior door that into your home. They can also use your tools as weapons of opportunity against you, breaking your window to gain entry.
Garage Door Windows - Thankfully, I have not seen any of these in Paloma Creek. If you have them, please cover them with the mirrored film that allows light in or blinds, but keeps out prying eyes. As an added layer of security, you can also add security film that is mirrored and prevents glass breakage like this one. Otherwise, someone can look directly into your garage and see not only what you have, but when you are coming and going.
Social Media - It was so kind of you to tell everyone you are on vacation right now! Please, keep the photos to share for after you get home. Do NOT share photos or locations on social media that show you are not at home. Don’t even post if you are at an event down the street. Your home is unattended.
Obituaries - This is one of the saddest and most opportunistic, but efficient techniques burglars use to find targets. As if grief and the loss of a loved one is not bad enough, burglars like to troll through social media and obituaries to find out when and where services will occur. They know that immediate family who is listed in the obituary will most likely be in attendance. The days that we could leave our homes unlocked are long gone, but this takes it to an entirely different level of depravity. Fortunately, there is a simple solution.
My husband is on a “funeral team”, so he regularly serves at funerals during the ceremonial process. It leaves me with nothing to do except sit at home or attend the funeral of someone that I usually do not know since he can be deployed throughout all of North Texas as needed. The better use of my time is to house sit. He drops me off as needed and I am a visible presence in the home. It felt a little weird the first time I was in a stranger’s home basically waiting for someone to break-in; however, the mere presence and nuisance of a person has been enough of a deterrent to thwart any would-be shenanigans.
Other Life Events & Holidays - Since Quinceaneras, Sweet Sixteens, débutante balls, athletic competitions, homecoming, parades, graduations, graduation celebrations, bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, weddings, honeymoons, baby showers, sporting events (for season ticket holders especially) and the birth of a new child all either include a “Save The Date”, invitation, or are frequently blasted all over social media, your excitement is placing your home(s) at risk. Your homes can also be cased and hit on the following dates because you are more likely to be away: Easter, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Years Eve. Some additional holidays and notable events where you are at lower risk, but risk nonetheless are: MLK Day, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, July 3rd, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Superbowl Sunday (Go Cowboys!), and Inauguration Day every four years when your person wins because we tend to have parties or go out even if we don’t leave town.
Routines & Schedules - Do you vary your routines, schedules, and routes to make your movements less predictable and more difficult to anticipate? You should even vary the routes you use.
Wallet, Watch, Keys, Purse - They should all be out of site and not somewhere that can be easily accessed in a common area of your home.
Confidence - People that walk with confidence are less likely to be targeted. If you don’t have confidence, or are frightened, fake it.
Don’t Touch - Many people’s first instinct is to enter and begin cleaning up after a home burglary or invasion. If you believe a break-in has occurred in your home, call 911 and shout statements like, “I called 911!” You want to let the burglar to know you’re aware of his presence and that help is on the way. Stay outside and away from your home in a non-threatening manner so that the police can easily identify you. Call the police immediately. Don’t touch anything. You should still wait outside for the police to arrive. It’s possible a burglar may still be inside your home. The police will go in and clear the scene.
Beware Of The Dog - Burglars generally don’t like dogs. They don’t really know if you have one, two, or five. You can place signs on your gate that alert them, neighbors, service people, and others to their “presence”. Some burglars are particularly dissuaded by larger breeds. Better yet, adopt an actual dog, but please remember that it is a living, breathing entity that needs love, care, and attention. You are making a commitment when you adopt a pet. You should also know that some breeds raise your homeowner’s insurance rate although there is no such thing as a “bad” breed of dog - there are people that mistreat breeds.
No Trespassing - By placing a no trespassing sign on your property in Texas, you are giving a legal first warning that it is private property and only authorized people are allowed. Otherwise, that warning has to be witnessed by a Law Enforcement Officer. It can be tricky to catch a stalker so you can tell them in front of a Police Officer that their attention is unwelcome. It also gives the stalker the satisfaction of seeing you. If you have an EPO, TPO, PRO, (three types of protective orders) or feel threatened in any way, I highly recommend installing no trespassing signs that are highly visible and difficult to remove. A common issue is that stalkers and abusers will remove them in an effort to circumvent the law. When you have a no trespassing sign visibly displayed, if unauthorized people are caught on your property, you have the law behind you because they have already been warned. You have removed an obstacle and excuse which makes prosecution easier.
Inventory - You need to be prepared for the worst case scenario. We plan for the worst and hope for the best. That is why we plan and have insurance. One of the ways that you should know if you have the proper amount of coverage is because you should have an inventory of the items in your home. This used to be an arduous task, but the days of paper lists are long gone. You can walk from room to room making a verbal video diary with your cell phone of everything in your home. Then, upload it to a cloud service in case your phone is lost, broken, or stolen. You can place a rough value on everything as you go and adjust your insurance rates accordingly as needed. Please make sure that you take still photos of any heirlooms, model numbers, serial numbers, big ticket items, weapons, and electronics.
Throw Thieves Off - Leave a few lights on or set a timer to turn them on at dusk. Leave some window shades up and some shades down, so it looks like someone is home, filtering the natural light. If you’re on vacation or away for an extended time, think about hiring a house sitter or asking a neighbor to check in on the house one or two times a day. A little regular movement can be just enough of a deterrent to scare off a potential burglar. You can even buy gadgets to turn your tv off and on and change the channels.
Windows - Carefully select which windows to open, when you do open them. Do not leave them unattended. Think of them like a toddler. When sleeping, please resist the urge to open them. It’s best to open the windows that are visible from the street while you are at home. A thief will have a harder time slipping into a window that’s easily visible to neighbors. Don’t open windows wide. You should keep all windows open by a margin of less than four inches because it is the circumference of a child’s head which means there’s little chance a burglar can fit his head through an opening of that size. Then, you are keeping your children and your home safe. I know the thought of fresh air can be tempting to those of us with allergies; however, the best way to fight off allergens is for your home to be a closed system that uses a medical grade MERV filter. When we open our doors and windows, we let allergens in - not out.
Gut Instinct - When it comes to protecting your home against break ins, one of your best defenses is your gut instinct. If you have a strong feeling that something suspicious is happening, follow it and report the suspicious activity. Not every stranger walking through our neighborhood is a threat, however, if you see someone acting strangely, not making eye contact or engaging in other suspicious behavior around in front of your home, there may be cause for concern. Stay vigilant when you see this kind of activity, take notes on what the person looks like or take down their license plate number if they are in a vehicle. Report anything suspicious to the police.
Try walking around your home inside and outside tomorrow, but I want you to be the burglar. What do you see that needs to be addressed? Safety and security are skills and habits that we can freely share and build upon together. They do not happen overnight. With some small changes, we can make a large impact.
