Community Chat

[spot555]

All the usuals- security system, security screen doors, solid no-glass doors, the best locks you can buy, secure your windows, big barking dog, don't leave your windows open at night or when you're gone, NEVER answer the door to strangers- why would you??? Who cares what they want? Have the best outdoor lighting you can afford, including motion-activated lights.

in addition, buy a marine airhorn to scare away intuders. They're so LOUD, & I know from experience that it works. Watch your patio sliding doors- they are an easy point of entry. Buy a security bar, & if you can, buy the best door you can afford.

Here are a few great items to have (you can look at them at Amazon)...

*Door Guardian DG01-SN Door Guardian Security Lock (fantastic & inexpensive!!)

*Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar

*Prime-Line Products U 9809 Vinyl Window Lock, White Painted Zinc Diecast

[happycat]

Where we live seems to be getting worse all the time. We have a security system, but as far out as we are, it would takes the cops several minutes to get here. The noise would attract the neighbors, though, so that's a plus.

We got a new neighbor a few months ago. The other day when I was out walking my dog, a neighbor I have known for years came out and told me to be careful. He had been to her house wanting either gas or money to get gas. She and her dh are on a fixed income. She said he just wouldn't leave. She told me she was scared of him and is now keeping her doors locked at all times. Here, they have worked all their lives, and now are scared in their own home. He told her he was bipolar, but I think it may be more than that. I have heard him screaming before, its crazy. Next time, I am calling the cops. The question is who knows if the cops will come out for that or not.

My dh thinks we should maybe move to a gated community. That was never anything I ever wanted.

[hckynut]

On 6/23/2014 Clover29 said:

communities that require homeowners to keep guns in their homes

Yikes, thank goodness I don't live in one of those communities.

You think it is safer in "gun free" zones? I personally would much rather live in a community that had a sign that said:

[azterry!]

On 6/23/2014 Clover29 said:

communities that require homeowners to keep guns in their homes

Yikes, thank goodness I don't live in one of those communities.

me too, Clover

[Kachina624]

On 6/23/2014 Sedonee said:

I have a ferocious dog. Works like a charm.

I have a dog that barks like she's going to devour someone and she might nip the calf of a man. I make a big deal out of her and tell workmen in my house that I have to put her out before they come in. In truth she's pretty harmless.

I have an app on my iPad that maps all the crime in my town so I can see exactly what's going on in the neighborhood.

[brewhaha]

On 6/23/2014 hckynut said:

On 6/23/2014 route 7 said:

I've been hearing rumors where I live about break-ins. It seems like not matter where you live nothing is safe. I take every precaution but it's a shame the way of life has changed dramatically everywhere. We all have to be on alert but what do you do to be more protected. My friends and I were thinking of ways to booby-trap our homes. Some were funny; what do you do if anything?

We live at the end of a cul-de-sac in a rural setting. It has 1 gravel road in and the same one to go out. Anyone that comes up this road far enough to our cul-de-sac has to use our driveway to turn around. Nobody can sneak up on our home and if the do? Chances of them getting out are not all that good.

I take every precaution including "packing" and if someone decides to enter our home or get on our property without identifying who they are, with proof? They will be on the business end of something they do not want to see pointing at them. Should they decide to continue without a reply? The will not leave the same way they came and more than likely will not be walking or running the other way.

It is a strange world out there now and one can never be too careful in my opinion. And I certainly will not be an easy victim for anyone be it in our home or when I am out in public.

I bet you are packing. Do you have a gun too?

[chickenbutt]

Hopefully, people in nice neighborhoods don't become complacent. After all, the nicer the area the nicer the stuff to steal, so the smart thieves will go where the better stuff is.

I live in a nice neighborhood. But, from an entire childhood of never feeling safe, I am pretty big on safeguards.

We have an alarm system and security lights around the outside of the house. I keep everything pretty much ALL locked up 24/7. Some might call me a nut but perhaps they didn't experience never feeling safe throughout their formative years. It's smart to be vigilant. It might take me a little more to feel safe than it takes somebody else, but I just do what it takes and I can be comfortable without fear.

I have every sign from 'private property-no trespassing' to 'no soliciting' and beyond. They still come laying on the doorbell or banging on the door. I don't respond. I wish I could have more control over my own property that these people would just leave me alone but, alas, most people like that have no manners and that is a fact of life I continue to try and get used to.

OTOH, I've heard people over the years saying stuff like 'oh, we never locked our doors'. That doesn't even make sense at all to me. That's just silly and naïve.

[151949]

Seriously, if someone wants in they will get in , how difficult is it to break a window? I refuse to allow thugs to terrorize me and take away my piece of mind.I do not even lock my doors.

[brii]

On 6/24/2014 happy housewife said: Seriously, if someone wants in they will get in , how difficult is it to break a window? I refuse to allow thugs to terrorize me and take away my piece of mind.I do not even lock my doors.

You don't even lock your doors? That's not a very smart thing to do.

I even lock my doors when I'm in the car.

I'm not paranoid and I don't live in fear, but I do take precautions.

[minkbunny]

On 6/24/2014 happy housewife said: Seriously, if someone wants in they will get in , how difficult is it to break a window? I refuse to allow thugs to terrorize me and take away my piece of mind.I do not even lock my doors.

Coming from a law enforcement family, I have heard many times that a locked door will not make a criminal an honest law abiding citizen - or else nobody with locked doors would ever be robbed or worse. Of course, it might help, but as you said entry is often through a window, a basement window well, through a garage entrance to the house, etc.

One should do whatever they feel best but if a person wants to be a criminal, you won't stop them.

ETA, My late husband was also taught (through joint training with the county and state Highway Patrol) that the easiest way to have your home "cased" legally is to have a yard sale, garden tour, Christmas home tour, etc. Any time that you allow people to freely access your property they also can glance around and see your entrance/exits, your locks on doors and windows, security pads, dogs, lots of things that a person might notice if invited onto your property.