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Things your burglar won't tell you

G

GojuBrian

Guest
This is actually a really great email filled with some tips that I never would have thought of, so I am passing it along for all of your protection. One of these tips could save you or someone who receives the email resulting from it being passed along!!

Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4.. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather..

9. I always knock first.. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet..

11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13.. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never ever look like a crook.

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise.. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets..

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.


20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

21. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book "Burglars on the Job".
 
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
Why would anyone want car tracks in their house? :confused

:biglaugh
 
Vic C. said:
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
Why would anyone want car tracks in their house? :confused

:biglaugh

LOL!


Very interesting Brian, thanks :thumb
 
Being a victim of cabin burglaries numerous times years ago, I learned all these tricks, but found that back then a burglar alarm I later installed (after getting tired of being hit all the time) scared them off every time because a burglar wants basically 3 things: 1) a quick entry, 2) peace and quiet while they work, and 3) a quick escape. A burglar alarm disrupts rule #2. I have one on this house and use it all the time when away.

I only have one fear. I can't use it when at home because of the motion detectors. And a burglar is like an atheist. They arrogantly assume that if you don't answer the doorbell that you are not home in the same manner an atheist assumes there is no God because prayer is not answered. No, I am home, but probably taking a spill in the bathroom and can't answer the door. Then there's the possibility they will walk in on me.
 
Dogs make the best alarms imo.

I would feel really bad for the person who walks in my house uninvited. :shame
 
tim_from_pa said:
Being a victim of cabin burglaries numerous times years ago, I learned all these tricks, but found that back then a burglar alarm I later installed (after getting tired of being hit all the time) scared them off every time because a burglar wants basically 3 things: 1) a quick entry, 2) peace and quiet while they work, and 3) a quick escape. A burglar alarm disrupts rule #2. I have one on this house and use it all the time when away.

I only have one fear. I can't use it when at home because of the motion detectors. And a burglar is like an atheist. They arrogantly assume that if you don't answer the doorbell that you are not home in the same manner an atheist assumes there is no God because prayer is not answered. No, I am home, but probably taking a spill in the bathroom and can't answer the door. Then there's the possibility they will walk in on me.
Tim, many systems will allow you to arm the panel in "Home" or "Stay" mode. This disables motion detectors and passive infrared sensors. If your system doesn't have this capability, you can temporarily 'bypass' any zone containing a motion or p.i.r. sensor while at home.

You should also be able to set your primary entry/exit door to "chime" mode. The panel will "chime" when the door is opened.
 
Vic C. said:
[quote="tim_from_pa":2iumlk5s]Being a victim of cabin burglaries numerous times years ago, I learned all these tricks, but found that back then a burglar alarm I later installed (after getting tired of being hit all the time) scared them off every time because a burglar wants basically 3 things: 1) a quick entry, 2) peace and quiet while they work, and 3) a quick escape. A burglar alarm disrupts rule #2. I have one on this house and use it all the time when away.

I only have one fear. I can't use it when at home because of the motion detectors. And a burglar is like an atheist. They arrogantly assume that if you don't answer the doorbell that you are not home in the same manner an atheist assumes there is no God because prayer is not answered. No, I am home, but probably taking a spill in the bathroom and can't answer the door. Then there's the possibility they will walk in on me.
Tim, many systems will allow you to arm the panel in "Home" or "Stay" mode. This disables motion detectors and passive infrared sensors. If your system doesn't have this capability, you can temporarily 'bypass' any zone containing a motion or p.i.r. sensor while at home.

You should also be able to set your primary entry/exit door to "chime" mode. The panel will "chime" when the door is opened.[/quote:2iumlk5s]

Yes I know. I installed this one (Radio Shack special) and it calls my family's down the road to which is a good response not to mention a siren that will wake the dead. But this was installed in the early 90's when everything was wired yet, and due to the house construction occurring at the same time, I could not install a perimeter system except for some door sensors. It's virtually ALL motion detector. When I once had my night job and used to sleep during the day upstairs I disabled that one and left the ones on downstairs, and in that case I could use it while at home. But if I'm home walking around all over the place I can't do that.

When this system fails one day, I'll probably have one installed professionally and professionally monitored as my in-laws are getting older now. They usually install both perimeter and motion as well as fire (I have that, too BTW) and CO detectors and medical emergency. For the CO, I only have local detectors.
 
The thing about motion detectors is what if you have a dog or a cat, and they have to be left at home ?
 
Lewis W said:
The thing about motion detectors is what if you have a dog or a cat, and they have to be left at home ?

They supposedly have those now that animals can't trip. But I have cats and they are all outdoor/garage cats.
 
tim_from_pa said:
[quote="Lewis W":jrab4iw5]The thing about motion detectors is what if you have a dog or a cat, and they have to be left at home ?

They supposedly have those now that animals can't trip. But I have cats and they are all outdoor/garage cats.[/quote:jrab4iw5]
They work fine for the most part. They go by weight. We have some of them in our stock. Remember, most of what we call motion detectors aren't; they are infrared sensors. They detect body heat. :yes

Yes I know. I installed this one (Radio Shack special) and it calls my family's down the road to which is a good response not to mention a siren that will wake the dead. But this was installed in the early 90's when everything was wired yet, and due to the house construction occurring at the same time, I could not install a perimeter system except for some door sensors. It's virtually ALL motion detector. When I once had my night job and used to sleep during the day upstairs I disabled that one and left the ones on downstairs, and in that case I could use it while at home. But if I'm home walking around all over the place I can't do that
.
Aah, it sounds as though you have some X-10 technology. I have an old X-10 system lying around at home. I bought it back in 1995-96? They do have entry/exit chime at least. They have dialers where you record an outgoing voice message.

The Police will not allow them to call the station and calling out to a friend or neighbor is not suggested. You do not want them responding to a potentially dangerous situation. That's the downside. The upside; no monitoring fees.
 
Vic:

I always told my family not to be hero's, but if they are in view to get a car description or whatever, that is fine (many burglars get "dropped off" and picked up later though). Alarm or no alarm, I think a burglar will try to take something small and valuable with him as he flees, but I know they don't like to be around noise that grabs attention--- psychologically, they like to feel they are undiscovered. Some even do the window smash and grab maneuver regardless whether an alarm gets set off or not which is why it's not smart to keep valuables at a window. My system was installed late 1992 and it's been extremely reliable, very few false alarms.

Yes, the technology, although works well, is getting old. That's why the next system (probably soon) will be professional. This way they take the bother of keeping up with it and monitor things for me. The downside is like you say, a monthly fee. I'm getting too old to climb around to install anything else (even radio controlled) :D
 
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