need advice on break ins/ burglarys in my neighborhood

[Smee]

Put a sign on the door that says "this house protected 3 days a week by Smith and Wesson, you guess which 3."

Honestly, I would exercise my second amendment rights.

The problem with that in my neighborhood is that you've just advertised that you have guns on the property. Here, guns are what thieves seem to want most, before electronics and other property. Don't get me wrong; I have no problem owning a gun (and I do) (ask me again tomorrow) or using them for self defense, but I wouldn't have it visible or signs indicating it just because as soon as they (crooks, not just general poorly timed or poorly placed visitors) figure out when no one is home for real, they're coming in after them. It doesn't matter if they're locked away in a safe or on you at all times; the additional motivation has just made your home (or at least mine in this 'hood) a lot more attractive target for thugs, and once they're in, they'll take what they can get if they can't get guns. I know it seems counterintuitive not to let thugs know you have a gun-- you'd think it would make a great deterrent, right?-- but in my neighborhood, I don't want them to know it until they've crossed a pre-determined boundary which is somewhere between innocently knocking on my door and forcing their way through it.

[StacyNVA]

Put a sign on the door that says "this house protected 3 days a week by Smith and Wesson, you guess which 3."

Honestly, I would exercise my second amendment rights.

Glad I'm not the only one who would answer the door with a gun on my hip.

[JulieDB]

I googled them..as i had never heard of those kinds of windows before...scary!!!

Probably why the burglar is going through your neighborhood..so easy..when he has easy access in.

I found this website that Had a few idea's Window Security Locks : Keep that burglar out.

I just looked them up too. Have seen them but didn't know what they were. It is scary that the burglar can just silently lift the glass out.

I have seen beefy looking metal security things over windows. I wonder if they can put something like this over this type of window? It would have to stick out to allow the louvers to open.

[LaLabrowneyes]

I'm home most of the time, and when I'm not home depending if I'm in the area I'll stop by the house to check on my fur babies. I don't open the door for nobody, for those that know me know to call first to let me know that you're coming by because if you don't I wont open.
If and when someone knocks I always look through the window to see who it is, if I don't know you then I wont open or even ask what you want......and if someone keeps knocking and wont go away I can get really loud without having to go to the door and yell "What Man" but it's usually always church people so they just leave.
I have 3 signs at the front of the house, 1 is on my gate "Beware Dog", the other is on the bedroom window "Warning Attack Dog" and it has a picture of a big dog with a spike collar, and the last one is on a small window that is right by the front door "Never Mind The Dog Beware of Owner" with a hand holding a gun.
I do own guns and when I'm home I have my keys with me to unlock it if I need to use it, at night one of the guns stays loaded......I know it might sound wrong to some people but around here we have had alot of break ins.
I have a 60lb pitbull mix who throws herself at the door if anyone knocks. I have bells on the doors and I'm also looking into getting cameras. Both of my next door neighbors have really loud dogs and are mainly outside, the guys who check my meters and my neighbors always have a hard time checking them because they are scared...
I also agree get yourself some dog bowls jsut to make it seem like you have a dog, cameras.

[Queenkim98]

hi,

What what you do?

I signed up for email from my local police about my town. I live in a suburb of a large city over 2 million ppl, but my little area is small.

There have been a lot of burglarys recently. They say the ppl knock on the front door to see if anyone is home, then enter thru the rear window/door if no one answers. Mostly from 10am - 4pm.

I'm almost always home alone during that time, working from home on the computer.

I NEVER answer if i dont' know the person thru the peephole. We live in a single family home.

So, if I don't answer, they will think I'm not home, then go around back and rob me.

If I DO answer, they may enter thru the front, etc.

So, how can I let them know I'm home and to go away, without opening the door?

The email says to calll 911 if anyone comes to your door and "asks for a fictitious person". Well, I won't be opening the door, so they cannot ask me. Now what??

ummm........if someone knocked at my front door and I didn't want to answer, I'd peeik out a window and see what they're doing..if I saw them walk into my backyard, I'd definitely be calling the police.

Kim