Where I am living now started a citizens patrol watch in the last year because there were a flurry of breakins the summer before. Unfortunately, people are either desperate this month to steal, addicts who take serious risks, or burglers who watch your home for those going on vacation.

It’s a good opportunity to mention to members here DO NOT post your location, or even any dates when you are going away. If someone looks you up on Facebook it’s pretty easy to find you if they try, and I’ve heard that people get on social networks in their areas and watch for announcements of people leaving town. (Year round, not just this month.) So never post your holiday/vacation plans in detail. Sadly, if you’re home, they may see you go in with expensive packages, or see a delivery truck with a TV – things like that. Not comforting, I know.

SO, start by seeing if you can hook up a motion detector light in the front and back of the house. I hear those are excellent deterrents and not too expensive. They say well lit areas, especially back yards, are helpful. The landscaper here hacked down the bushes in the back because he said people hide in them, so he pruned them way back.

Have the local police number handy, like by the phone, and call asap. If you tell them where you live you can ask for additional patrol cars to swing by, especially now that you have good cause. They will do that for you, and if you can describe the car they drove off in even if you didn’t get the license plate number the local police will be watching for them. Chances are they are stupid and will try another house so the cops may be able to catch them. There’s always 911, but I like using the regular police phone number so they can add to the patrol rounds without it being a false alarm. If you hear it again, it’s NOT a false alarm and call 911 IMMEDIATELY.

AZ has really loose gun laws.. its insane how many people carry here.
while i would never personally own one, when 90% of homeowners have a shotgun in their bedroom, its a pretty good deterrent for a would-be burglar.
even if someone cuts you off in traffic, its not advisable to play the get-even game, because you never know who has a loaded pistol in the glovebox

this state is so redneck/ hippie, but i moved here for the weather, not the lifestyle.

A burglar alarm is good to have, well socialized dogs aren’t the best at guarding. You can get a cheapy one that doesn’t attach to your phone line and it’ll scare most people off by making noise.

It’s REALLY easy to find someones address from the net. The bird forum I am on someone went missing from and so I did a google search for her pets names. The ONLY information I had was her two birds names and her first name, that is it. From that I found 3 other forums she was on and her personal website because she kept a blog about her pets. From her personal website I did a whois (for free) and found her email address, home address, full name, fathers name, phone # and plugging her address into google maps, I even found out what kind of car she drives. Now, if I can do ALL THAT from simply knowing her birds names, imagine what someone you friend on facebook for farmville that you don’t actually know can do with all people post on there? Also, when you register a website, best to not use all that real information and leave it public. Even sending an email gives out your IP, which can give away a lot more than you may want to. I’ve even been able to find my friends business emails via google and read them, though I am sure they are meant to be private. lol Needless to say, most my information I give when I register things online is fake, that includes facebook.

mike – yeah where I grew up there was a sign as you pulled into the private road we lived on “our residents carry guns, rob us at your own risk” and there was only ONE break in in the 13ish years we lived there. lol

Oh and note: I didn’t use the information or give it out to anyone for the person that went missing, I can find it easily, but your average person cannot. I just told the people asking about her that she’d been missing from her regular forums for months and left it at that.  

stickerbunny, remind me to stay on your good side!

And bunnyfriend, I’m sorry this has happened to you. I can’t imagine how you feel but the dog barking will deter people I have learned. Ours bark at us and as soon as they recognize us they stop so I think it’s possible to have a well-socialized dog that still acts like security. Maybe even a beware of dog sign? I’ve heard that will deter some people too.

All the other suggestions were really good too. I’d have a security system and a dog if I could afford it and when I had to move out of my parents and leave my dogs I became way more nervous so having them around gives me just a sense of security. Totally understand your families feelings on that.

Guns are always helpful, of course. I sell a lot of items we don’t need anymore on Craigslist, some high ticket things like an xbox 360 and playstation, and we always have the gun on us when someone comes over, just in case. There have been too many cases of robbery and/or murder via transactions like that not to do so. I’d never want to shoot someone unless absolutely necessary, but it’s good to be prepared for the safety of myself, my husband, and my pets. We also live next to a homeland security officer (with a giant SUV with his title printed on the side right next door to us), and we live in a small community that has a well-funded police force, so I don’t worry too much.

If you don’t want to have a gun, you can buy a cheap alarm system. When I lived with my parents, we were robbed a few times (a couple car break ins, and one house break in) and after someone broke into our house at night, my dad rigged up an alarm system on the doors. You’d have to set the alarm before leaving, but it was cheap and worked. Of course, you’d have to arm it as soon as you get in the house if you want to have the protection while you’re home, but if you don’t mind the occasional blaring false alarm, that’d be the way to go.

We have three dogs and most people know about them, so I feel like people would leave us alone. Specially since one is a Pit bull (he loves everyone, but people believe the hype about them… he would most likely help the robbers carry out the tv though. -_-) Then a very protective German Shepherd. We also have a small hound, but unless people know she doesnt like people much then they probably wouldn’t think she was a threat. She has never been aggressive towards people, but she proved to me once when a man hit my arm when talking to me; she will be protective.

I’m sorry that happened, at least everyone is safe and the crazy didn’t take anything valuable. That most have been really scary…

I agree with Sticker, get an alarm system, not a dog. Pets simply aren’t good guards, they are easily bribed and can’t tell the difference between a friend or a foe in most cases.

You don’t need to teach a dog to be “mean” to make it a good guard dog. Most people just have to hear a barking dog and think “oh crap, I need to get out of here.” My dogs are all friendly (One is just fearful of people she doesnt know though) but if someone broke into my house and they know they aren’t suppose to be there they would protect me and my family.

My GSD is people friendly, and once a family friend who he grew up with came into our house unannounced. Thor took this as a threat to the family and barked at him, not letting him move.

I agree getting a security system, but can’t go wrong with also adopting a new friend who needs a home.

Believe it or not, while working in shelters many GSD and huskies have came in. German Shepherds (and mixes) are very common.
I don’t get why… but they are common in shelters.

And they are cool! Such pretty dogs and very loyal.

Aww, sounds like some cute pup needs a home! Haha.

Bunnyfriend, I’m sorry that that happened. It must have been scary.

I just wanted to say that there was that episode of It Takes A Thief where the people had a dog for protection. They thought for sure that the dog wouldn’t let a stranger in the house. The dog was barking when the thief guy got there, but when he got inside the dog was wagging his tail. So the thief guy talked to the dog and the dog just wagged his tail more and then started following the thief around as he gathered up all the stuff. Then he loaded it all up into a van and the dog was standing there looking at him. So he called the dog and the dog hopped right in! He wanted to go for a ride. o_O

Haha LBJ, sounds a lot like some of the dogs I have had. All our dogs were protective – but most would never take it violent. I remember my grandmothers dog would bark and raise a fuss if ANY man entered his house, or got near his yard, even ones that were allowed but the moment they were there for a few minutes, everything was fine and he would never bite, even if you reached out to pet him. I had one dog that took it the step further, he “stalked” my cousin one time and tried to hamstring him for coming into our yard because he thought it was an intruder, but telling him no made him leave off the “hunt”… scared my poor cousin half to death though (will teach them to not come into our yard when we say to wait at the gate and let us escort you). I honestly think my bird would make a bigger ruckus over a stranger threatening his mommy though than any dog I have had – he already attacks my boyfriend when we argue. lol

Glad you’re getting an alarm set up, they are a bit pricey but useful.

So sorry that happened to you! I can imagine how vulnerable you feel now. I’m not sure what the best answer is to keep you safe, but you might talk to your local law enforcement and ask them for their advice.

Scary!!! I worry about break-ins. Especially since I live on a pretty dark, dead end street. We’ve had our car broken into about 3 times while in our driveway. I feel so violated with someone just being in my car, I can’t imagine the feeling of knowing someone went into my house. It’s not really the stealing of stuff that worries me, I worry about someone hurting my animals. A former co-worker had her place broken-into several times and one time they took absolutely everything of value, totally wrecked up everything else and her cat was injured and had a hard time walking. They figure he went to say hello and was kicked.

YES! A girl once broke in a window! yeah… scary then a man came in the garage and stole our gas & money for drugs D: It was so scary but if it happends again the worst thing to do is panick, if they have a gun, well….HIDE!! & RUNN W/ YOUR BUN!!!

Posted By bunnyfriend on 12/04/2011 11:29 AM

 A long time ago in school they showed us a video of how quickly a person could find out info about you online based on things that sound harmless.

you mean like back in the ‘olden’ days before iphone, when kids could get hit by cars for reasons other than not paying attention while texting?

Yikes that is disturbing.

My neighbor some fellow followed her home.  She didn’t realize he was following her  from the store.  He went right on in her house startede going thru her meds.   She shouted at him to GET OUT  fortunately he did.

I got some pepper spray after that.  Hairspray and bug spray work too.   pepper spray is handier to carry in a purse tho

The only gun I have right now is a rifle, locked and unloaded, and stored away. Not much use to threaten somebody off. That is why I do want a shotgun to keep in our bedroom. Even if the thing is always unloaded, if a burglar hears you rack it, they are more then likely going to get the heck out. Also my dog, a boxer/lab cross has a pretty intimidating sounding “alert” or “threat” bark. He loves people. But if somebody threatens his mom or dad, he would get very protective. It is especially in a boxers nature to be skeptical of new comers, and always want to be between their owner and a new person. But once they know you, you have a friend for life.

My worst fear is somebody breaking in while we are not home and harming our animals.

That is really scary, I am glad no one was hurt.

If you want a really barky dog, I have a Pomeranian I can FedEx you. He never stops. Ever.

If you do get a dog, be careful not to get one that is a hunter, because a younger dog could be a problem around the bunny. I’d go with an alarm.

If you raise the dog up with the buns he will actually protect them. I have a pom and she protects the buns ;D

Guns… never in my house. Ever. Had a cousin who got shot by his best friend by accident. Closed casket funeral.

Never. Ever. In my house.

We’ve had things stolen from the vehilcles and when I was younger someone took our snowmobiles and trashed them. I know that icky feeling *Hugs*

So frightening!! That kind of stuff can really mess with your head for a long time. I agree, get an alarm system. The only thing though about the do it yourself kind is make sure it can rely on a battery back up if the electricity is cut or the electricity is out for any reason.

I had someone try to break into my apartment when I was in my 20’s and living alone. He was much more aggressive about it and when I caught him trying to break the lock on the arcadia doors, it just made him angry, and he ran to the front door instead and tried to break it down.(not sure why he didn’t try to break the arcadia door but suspect he knew that would cause too much noise in a complex). Anyway, he was kicking it and ramming it as I called 911. I had even yelled at him from the other side of the door saying I’m calling the police…and he just yelled “oh yeah, ya are!” and just slammed into the door harder. He finally stopped when he realized the door was holding strong and the police would be there soon.

They caught him thank god – he was still in the parking lot trying to get his car that he parked on the other end of the huge complex (seems he lost where his car was exactly as this guy was just scouring the lot looking for victims.) He told the police that he just followed me from the parking lot.
He was just some crazy violent whackjob looking to hurt someone. I’m in my 40’s now and I still am very very cautious as the only reason I escaped that situation was because I couldn’t fall asleep right away after I turned out the lights.

So that caused me to create safety measures that are a bit fort knoxish now.

We have motion lights and an alarm system now, but when we first moved here, the city/police department provided a free service where a police officer would come check out your home and give suggestions on how to make it more safe. You might check to see if your city offers that as well. You can also get some really good insurance discounts when you have a security system installed.

I know this will really leave you feeling more wired about who is where and what noises are happening in the house. Hugs to you and your family.

Posted By Monkeybun on 12/06/2011 05:04 PM
Guns… never in my house. Ever. Had a cousin who got shot by his best friend by accident. Closed casket funeral.

Never. Ever. In my house.

That is awful monkey  I agree with guns never in my house, I would much rather keep a tazer or something non-lethal (and just as effective in most cases).

Kind of a lighthearted addition to this thread, there is a community of small towns out by where I keep my horse and there is a person (or persons) on the loose referred to as the “panty bandit”. He’s broken into over 20 homes since June and stolen women’s underwear and, um, adult novelties … This is the type of country town where people don’t usually lock their doors. It’s kind of funny because nothing else is ever stolen. It made the front page of the paper though, “Panty bandit strikes again”. Not that someone breaking into anyone’s house for any reason is funny but it’s hard not to chuckle about this.