Thieves, and how to thwart them.

[Ellen]

I decided to start a new thread, as I didn't want to continue jacking up Skippy's. Sorry Skippster!

This is where the discussion began. I have since learned, the latest burlary ,which I had been told second hand was on my street, was not. It was in fact, the SAME guy who had his TV stolen a few weeks ago. He had just replaced it with a new one, which I guess they may have counted on.

Some neighbor did see them in the house and knew they didn't belong, called the cops, and they ended up hiding the TV in some bushes nearby, which the owner found and the cops took for prints.


Monarch, I've often heard you don't really need the actual alarm, that the stickers indicating you have one work just as well. That would be cheaper. I've also thought of printing up my own little cards to be placed in each window, saying something to the effect of: We've got guns and ammo. Go ahead, make our day.

I also really want to set them up. Get rid of all the cars, turn out all the lights, and then position the 4 of us all around the house with 911 on speed dial. I think it could work.

They think they are kids (and the one seen last was) that live in an orphanage about 2 blocks from here. It's not used for orphans anymore, but for wayward kids. It's like the last stop before they leave town for stricter juvenile punishment facilities.


Perry, our windows do have this little "thing" for lack of the appropriate word, that can be flipped out, a couple inches above the top of the bottom window. It's like an extra, you have to break this too, to get in. I asked the police chief, who I ran into last week, if he thought that helps, and he did. Not sure if he meant it, or just said it to make me feel better.


Hubby is talking about cutting and painting (so they look decent) wooden dowels to put inbetween the windows. I seriously don't think they'd get in then....


Any other tried and true recipes?

 

[ang3199]

Date: 2/11/2008 9:19:06 AM
Author:Ellen


I''ve also thought of printing up my own little cards to be placed in each window, saying something to the effect of: We''ve got guns and ammo. Go ahead, make our day.

Oh my goodness you crack me up! I''m sorry to hear about all of this crap going on in your neighborhood. Yikes. I would love to set them up somehow and do a citizen arrest!! Hahaha. I''ve always wanted to do something like that!

Good luck Ellen!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/11/2008 9:54:04 AM
Author: ang3199

Date: 2/11/2008 9:19:06 AM
Author:Ellen


I''ve also thought of printing up my own little cards to be placed in each window, saying something to the effect of: We''ve got guns and ammo. Go ahead, make our day.

Oh my goodness you crack me up! I''m sorry to hear about all of this crap going on in your neighborhood. Yikes. I would love to set them up somehow and do a citizen arrest!! Hahaha. I''ve always wanted to do something like that!

Good luck Ellen!

I now have the vision of Goober from the Andy Griffith show running around yelling this!

Actually, I''ve always wanted to do it too. This could be a perfect opportunity....


Yeah, the funniest part about my signs is that it''s the truth. And my middle boy shoots on both trap and pistol leagues.

Thanks Ang.

 

[Skippy123]

I wonder if the window's Perry is talking about has tougher glass? I don't understand why they are so special?? So it is the hidden lock/latch? Ellen, honey, I don't mind if you threadjack, threadjack away. hehee

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/11/2008 11:00:41 AM
Author: Skippy123
I wonder if the window''s Perry is talking about has tougher glass? I don''t understand why they are so special?? So it is the hidden lock/latch? Ellen, honey, I don''t mind if you threadjack, threadjack away. hehee

I don''t know what the difference is. Ours are thermal, and yes, I guess it''s kind of like a hidden lock. Although I wouldn''t really call it a lock, but it can be pushed flush so the window will raise, or flipped out so it won''t open more than a couple inches.

Doesn''t matter what kind he''s suggesting though, if ours aren''t like them, we''re not forking out several thousand dollars again for what we just bought.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 2/11/2008 11:23:22 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 2/11/2008 11:00:41 AM
Author: Skippy123
I wonder if the window's Perry is talking about has tougher glass? I don't understand why they are so special?? So it is the hidden lock/latch? Ellen, honey, I don't mind if you threadjack, threadjack away. hehee

I don't know what the difference is. Ours are thermal, and yes, I guess it's kind of like a hidden lock. Although I wouldn't really call it a lock, but it can be pushed flush so the window will raise, or flipped out so it won't open more than a couple inches.

Doesn't matter what kind he's suggesting though, if ours aren't like them, we're not forking out several thousand dollars again for what we just bought.

Yeah, I don't blame you not wanting to spend $1k for each window. Don't the thieves have to break the glass anyway to get in? If it is the latch thingy, then I don't really see that stopping anyone. If it is the glass (special harder to break), then that probably makes a difference. I honestly like your idea of that note. Have you called some alarm company's?

 

[coatimundi_org]

Hi Ellen,
I'm so sorry you and your neighborhood are going through this, and that you have to be alarmed. I really like your idea of the sign that says, "We've got guns and ammo--Go ahead and make our day." (I think you were kidding, but that is something I would totally do!) It shows your awareness of them, and, in lieu of buying an alarm system, you awareness is the next best thing.

The cops know about them since they've plagued the neighborhood, so hopefully they'll get caught, or move on in fear of getting caught.

I don't know how to thwart thieves, I'm just sorry you have to worry about it!
Coati

 

[sumbride]

Sorry you''re going through this Ellen! I live in a high-crime area (Baltimore City) and my DH works closely with the neighborhood association and the police department on ways to respond to and prevent crime. It may not be true in your area, but in our area, an alarm system IS a big deterrent because so few people have them that a thief would rather skip a house that has one and hit the one next door that doesn''t. Putting a sticker on a window is almost as effective... obviously as soon as they break the window and don''t hear an alarm, the sticker is worthless, but it could provide a bit of help.

We have thermal windows with breakage sensors and a back fence with a locked gate (padlock). We have not had a problem. Our alarm did go off one time when we weren''t home (we were on vacation!) but we think somebody tried to break a window and the impact caused the alarm to go off. The window did not break. It hasn''t happened again, knock on wood.

A dog is definitely helpful, but really, most dogs you would have in a family environment would welcome that nice visitor with the doggie treats in his pocket that is walking out with the tv. Don''t get one unless you just want one.

surprisingly (or maybe not) most of the break-ins around here have happened because somebody left their windows or doors open or unlocked. Think its ok to sleep with your 2nd floor window open? It''s not. Especially if it''s easily accessible via rooftop or porch. And screen doors? ugh. don''t get me started.


Use common sense, be careful, and make sure everything of value is insured. Good luck!

 

[monarch64]

LOL, Ellen...regarding homemade signs saying something about guns and ammo inside! Honestly, DH and I really never turn on the ADT system. I don''t even turn it on when he''s OOT...we have about 10 signs outside the house stating that this is an ADT protected home and he feels those are as valuable as anything. I have a baseball bat by our bed, a remote ADT control thingie velcroe''d to the nightstand on my side of the bed, and we keep another baseball bat by the back door just in case. Plus we have two beagles who bark at absolutely ANY noise at all times in the house with us. I think their barking is the first and foremost deterrent, to tell the truth. Schoolchildren, or the mailman walk(s) by every single day and still those dogs howl like someone inside is being murdered, I swear. So really, get some signs, get some beagles, and a baseball bat or two and you''ll be ok.

I would advise against turning out all your lights. Criminals count on darkness and even if you''re setting a trap then you''re inviting them to try...KNIM? And as far as setting "them" up...do you REALLY know who you''re dealing with? Who''s to say that even if you "catch" a criminal they won''t send someone back to get even. I''m not liking the idea of that plot, sorry.

Seriously, get a dog, a dog who barks incessantly but that you love. I swear to g. that''s the biggest deterrent out there, I don''t care what anyone says.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 2/11/2008 11:46:41 AM
Author: coatimundi
Hi Ellen,

I''m so sorry you and your neighborhood are going through this, and that you have to be alarmed. I really like your idea of the sign that says, ''We''ve got guns and ammo--Go ahead and make our day.'' (I think you were kidding, but that is something I would totally do!) It shows your awareness of them, and, in lieu of buying an alarm system, you awareness is the next best thing.


The cops know about them since they''ve plagued the neighborhood, so hopefully they''ll get caught, or move on in fear of getting caught.


I don''t know how to thwart thieves, I''m just sorry you have to worry about it!

Coati

also, want to add to this--I have a little Lhasa Apso mix dog. He only barks when someone is near the house. We always know that a stranger is approaching because of our little dude(he''s the best alarm there is, when we''re at home)--I''m with the other posters about getting a dog!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 2/11/2008 12:38:16 PM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 2/11/2008 11:46:41 AM
Author: coatimundi
Hi Ellen,

I''m so sorry you and your neighborhood are going through this, and that you have to be alarmed. I really like your idea of the sign that says, ''We''ve got guns and ammo--Go ahead and make our day.'' (I think you were kidding, but that is something I would totally do!) It shows your awareness of them, and, in lieu of buying an alarm system, you awareness is the next best thing.


The cops know about them since they''ve plagued the neighborhood, so hopefully they''ll get caught, or move on in fear of getting caught.


I don''t know how to thwart thieves, I''m just sorry you have to worry about it!

Coati

also, want to add to this--I have a little Lhasa Apso mix dog. He only barks when someone is near the house. We always know that a stranger is approaching because of our little dude(he''s the best alarm there is, when we''re at home)--I''m with the other posters about getting a dog!

See...DOGS! I''m telling you...no thief wants to deal with an unidentified barker.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks everbody!

Really, I''m much more serious about the window signs than I am staking them out.

The dog, while I know for a fact they help, would be a last resort. I''m really not a dog person. Don''t get me wrong, I don''t hate them, and I even bought one for my son because I thought every boy should have a dog (that reallly should have earned me some major brownie points

), but they are like kids. I already have 3, 2 still at home. I''m looking forward to being childless.

The ADT stickers would be easy enough, and the wooden dowls when we have the heat or air on. But that leads me to, what about when we don''t need either on??

Sumbride, these guys are popping open LOCKED windows (new). Evidently, it''s not that hard, at least on some. But we have those extra "things" (I MUST find out what they''re called, lol) on the window frames, plus if we use the dowl, that "might" be enough. *sigh* This is just so sucky, we''ve NEVER had to think like this.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and suggestions, I really do appreciate it.

 

[Mara]

we had some sort of community awareness thing in our complex where a police officer came to speak and he said alarm stickers on the windows (even if you don't have one), any sort of dog, and also any sort of neighborhood watch stickers/signs all help immensely. this police offers said that basically people will try to get in wherever it's *easiest*...they probably don't want to deal with a potential alarm OR a guard dog or BOTH.

also on those window things, i totally believe in the old fashioned wooden stick in the sliding ones (my grandma had them all over her house in the old days, totally effective for not opening the window), and if you have the ones that push up, you can get those little metal things that screw onto the inside of the frame that stops the window when it hits a certain height. try your local hardware store. for ones that push OUT, not sure!

we have an alarm and stickers, and neighborhood watch stickers and a dog and we lock our outside gate when we are not home. it helps with solicitors as well and honestly we know when people are coming over so why bother leaving it open otherwise. also our neighbors work from home and have a baby so someone is home 90% of the time...and we are close with them. so they totally look out the window or door if they hear anything or hear our gate (we also have a bell on our gate!!).

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/11/2008 1:48:20 PM
Author: Mara
also on those window things, i totally believe in the old fashioned wooden stick in the sliding ones (my grandma had them all over her house in the old days, totally effective for not opening the window), and if you have the ones that push up, you can get those little metal things that screw onto the inside of the frame that stops the window when it hits a certain height. try your local hardware store. for ones that push OUT, not sure!

Mara, we''ve got "something" like that, it came built in to the window. It''s the "thing" I don''t have a name for. lol It can sit flush with the frame, or you can get your nail in one of the ridges and flip it out. Basically does the same thing, stops the window from opening more than a couple inches. And hubby was also thinking of using the wooden dowels, in reverse. Since our windows go up, instead of sideways, we''d just make them to fit from the top of the bottom window on up to the top of the top window.

And I forgot to mention a couple things, you reminded me of the neighborhood watch. Apparently someone is talking about having a meeting to start one, which I''m all for.

Also, Sumbride reminded me of something my girlfriend sent me the other day in an email, from a cop. He said to put your car key fob on your nightstand. If you hear someone trying to break in during the night, hit the alarm button, and the commotion it will cause, i.e. noise, which makes neighbors look out to see whose car is on, will most likely be enough to make them leave.


The thing is, these are all occurring from like 6-10PM. Of course, if this continues into warmer weather/longer days, that will have to change.

Thanks for the info!

 

[lumpkin]

I don''t have any advice except to agree about alarm signs and stickers, but I wanted to offer moral support. I hope they catch the theives and your problems stops.

 

[Maisie]

I would make a sign that says:

My Rottweiler has really bad PMS.... Enter at your own risk!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Thank goodness for Florida and the Castle Doctrine! That''s a way to stop them dead in their tracks

 

[sumbride]

If it were me, I''d go over to one of the houses that got robbed and look and see what kind of windows they have! And if they weren''t the same as mine, I''d probably sigh audibly with a "Whew, mine are different". But I think the dowels and the extra locks will help. Use them!

I like the idea of the car alarm, but it wouldn''t matter in my ''hood. Car alarms go off all the time and nobody even blinks. We had a neighbor with a really annoying alarm that would park in front of our house all the time... it would go off constantly! But the one time his car got broken into, his alarm did NOT go off! crazy.

My door mat got stolen yesterday.

Really peeved me because I bought it 2 weeks ago to replace the disgusting grungy one that nobody touched in 2 years. Now I have to go find another gross one that nobody will take. Or glue it to the marble steps. I am kind of thinking about that.

Definitely do the neighborhood watch... but, um, lock your doors when you go to the meeting... can you imagine the number of break-ins that could occur when the whole neighborhood is at a meeting somewhere?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/11/2008 2:32:12 PM
Author: Maisie
I would make a sign that says:

My Rottweiler has really bad PMS.... Enter at your own risk!

LegacyGirl, I'd never heard of that, I had to look it up. I live in IL though.

I LOVE it. That's the way it should be. I'm writing my Gov.


Sum, good point about everyone being at the meeting.

These guys seem to be very good at figuring out what peoples schedules are. Which of course means they're watching everyone in this 3 street area. Thing is, no one's really seeing anyone that doesn't belong. Which means they must be creeping around at night, watching. Honestly, that alone gives me the creeps.

 

[monarch64]

Ellen, if I knew where you lived, I''d bring the beagle posse and throttle them. So THERE!

 

[Ellen]

LOL! Thank you Monarch.

 

[strmrdr]

Watch the vids here,, this is the type of windows Perry is talking about.
http://www.housearmor.com/video/index.html

There are other companies that sell film that goes over the glass but they don''t work because they can just pop the frame and the glass is out in 10 seconds.

 

[strmrdr]

Website for the film here:
http://llumar.com/na-eng/Safety/safety-security.html

This stuff gives a false sense of security.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 2/11/2008 3:38:33 PM
Author: monarch64
Ellen, if I knew where you lived, I'd bring the beagle posse and throttle them. So THERE!

OMG Monnie, your adorable beagle posse would Kill them w/ CUTENESS.

hehee

The 10 pm news would say "Adorable beagles made evil bad doers flee town after breaking in and recieving adorable doggie kisses."

LOL


Ellen, Have you thought up setting up a neighborhood watch?

 

[monarch64]

Date: 2/11/2008 4:11:44 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 2/11/2008 3:38:33 PM
Author: monarch64
Ellen, if I knew where you lived, I''d bring the beagle posse and throttle them. So THERE!

OMG Monnie, your adorable beagle posse would Kill them w/ CUTENESS.

hehee

The 10 pm news would say ''Adorable beagles made evil bad doers flee town after breaking in and recieving adorable doggie kisses.''

LOL


Ellen, Have you thought up setting up a neighborhood watch?

First big hugs to you skppy...and then I have to say that these beagles are certainly cute but darnit...they are ferocious!!!! I never really realized that the breed was so full of tenacity...they definetely would rip a stranger''s throat out if given the chance because they are so pack oriented and loyal. I actually worry about having children in the future and how they will react...they''re dogs who LOVE their owners and they are friendly towards everyone, but still...they are little lovebugs only within their own pack. Kind of scary!


But I LOVE the "Adorable Beagles Made Evil Bad-doers Flee Town..." etc. !!! Gosh, I was envisioning Milo and Daisy with little red capes fleeing in the night! You are sooo silly, Skippy!

 

[monarch64]

And Storm: I checked out both links...both products look good to me but I don''t know if we''ll actually use them. Thanks for posting those, though...maybe someone else will!!!

 

[Ellen]

strm, thanks. I will watch them in a bit when I''ve got more time.



lol at the evil bad doers!

 

[Sundial]

Gosh Ellen sorry to hear about the thefts in your neighborhood. None of us are really as safe as we might like to think anymore. I do think the stickers from the alarm company is a good idea. We finally disconnected our alarms because we had so many problems with them going off when they shouldn''t but we kept all of their stickers on our windows.

 

[cutes814]

hey ellen, it sucks that this is happening in your neighborhood. the alarm stickers in the window really help. and i agree about getting a dog. they are very useful when it comes to identifying (barking) at strangers.

we have a monitored alarm system, a dog, a gun, and really new windows. if anyone tries to break, in they''ll have to be really good to get around the windows, then the alarm will sound like crazy, so our neighbors will run out, get barked at by our dog, and then possibly shot. so hopefully no one will try to break into our house.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the window dowels and the alarm signs are good, and instead of a dog, get a couple of "BEWARE OF DOG" signs and post them in the front and back! You can even put a couple of empty dog bowls in the back yard to make it believable. And then, get Monnie to tape her killer beagles and play the tape when someone comes to the door so people really think you have dogs. That is a lot easier than really having a dog!