Home Security

• McFly1955

  

  I live in what is considered a 'nice' area of Toledo...Just found out that on Monday of this week a few doors down in broad daylight someone was pulled out of their backyard and forced into their house at gunpoint, got away with thousands of dollars of jewelry, then pawned it off around at a pawn shop a few miles away. We have 2 cops on our street, which kind of makes me think it was a random act and not an acquaintance of the people this happened to. We heard about this from another neighbor, who then shared with us that just around the corner, about 5-6 houses away, there was an overnight break-in and robbery just weeks ago...
  
  This was in broad daylight, but it kind of gave me a kick in the pants to do something about our home security...My wife and I have talked about it for a couple years...Now we have 2 kids, and I think we should at least do something.
  
  This morning I walk out of the house and our welcome mat is turned sideways and pulled about a foot away from the door. We don't use our front door often, but we go out each day to grab the mail, and it definitely was not like that after work, then for it to be out of place the next morning kinds of makes me feel like someone was searching for a key.
  
  Right now we just have window locks, door locks and deadbolts on the 2 doors that lead into our house, and we lock the back door and have a bar laid in the tracks so that the door could not be slid open even if unlocked.
  
  
  Things I'm considering:
  -Shotgun (I don't own a gun, but have always talked about getting one...I'm probably going to pick up a shotgun no matter what, and of course ensure that it is safe/secure with kids in the house).
  -Outdoor motion lights
  -We do NOT have a dog, and will not be getting one
  -Security stickers/signage to place in the yard/on windows, etc.
  -Some sort of DIY home security system such as http://simplisafe.com/ (well reviewed online)
  -Fake TV light (little lights that make it appear that a TV is on inside the room you place it
  
  
  Like I said, we live on a quiet street in probably one of the few remaining 'good' areas of Toledo. We are planning to stay another 5-7 years, so packing up and leaving is out of the question in the short term.
  
  
  Any other tips/advice for deterring people?
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Belly for hire.
• WebFire

  Thanks for the SimpliSafe link. Looks pretty interesting.
• Trueblue23

  

  I try to do little things to deter people from B/E.
  
  When I leave my house for more than a day, I leave my TV on. We have a SmartTV, so I'll turn on the Pandora and let some music play.
  
  I think little things like that will go a long way, but honestly dude if someone wants in they're coming in regardless.
• Iliketurtles

  

  Well first off I didn't know there were any good areas left in Toledo....
  
  If things are happening in the daylight I don't know what good the motion lights would be. I don't think the stickers really matter much because I doubt a burglar would pay attention to them.
  
  I'd say just get a gun and that simplisafte thing looks pretty cool.
• bases_loaded

  

  WebFire;1493162 wrote:Thanks for the SimpliSafe link. Looks pretty interesting.

  
  This
  
  I might look into that when my current expires
• Belly35

  

  front rug moved looking for key...
  
  
  -Shotgun (I don't own a gun, but have always talked about getting one...I'm probably going to pick up a shotgun no matter what, and of course ensure that it is safe/secure with kids in the house).
  
  Get your CCW ... some day and train your kids about gun safety and how to use a weapon. Your wife also
  
  Get a co2 pistol and practice in the garage.... it's fun...
  
  Note: I carry a pistol and have two pistol hidden in my home and the wife also has a CCW and her our pistol
  (with kids this is a little difficult to hide weapons)
  
  I have posted in the window NRA member "Never Rob Again"
  
  I also have knifes hidden in the closet over the door...
  
  Look at the inside of your home .... what are some potential weapon are there? Fire place tools, brass candle holders, glass top table, pencil in a cup, where is the kitchen silverware or knife rack....
  Know your surrounding and the potential weapons to protect yourself
  
  
  -Outdoor motion lights Good idea
  
  -We do NOT have a dog, and will not be getting one ... OK but buy a dog bowl and set it out the back door
  
  -Security stickers/signage to place in the yard/on windows, etc. .. Alway helpful
  
  -Some sort of DIY home security system such as http://simplisafe.com/ (well reviewed online) if it make you feel better good
  
  I have motion camera set up ... even a fake camera helps
  
  -Fake TV light (little lights that make it appear that a TV is on inside the room you place it Old trick leave a radio on or the TV with out the picture
  
  I have timer on a few light in the house turn on and off randomly
  
  We do have a safe ... hidden
  
  
  My home is 90 years old, I cut 1x1 slats to put in the side rail of the windows (break a window to undo the lock but with side slats, works against them in trying to open or remove the slats)
  
  Alway lock your car doors, open the garage doors few minutes before walking into the garage
  
  Last but effective... Gut a deer in your front yard, that alway sends a message
  
  
  
• TedSheckler

  

  Nothing you can do. I'd move.
• WebFire

  You have a closet over your door?
• TedSheckler

  

  Belly35;1493170 wrote: -Shotgun (I don't own a gun, but have always talked about getting one...I'm probably going to pick up a shotgun no matter what, and of course ensure that it is safe/secure with kids in the house).
  
  Get your CCW ... some day and train your kids about gun safety and how to use a weapon. Your wife also
  
  Get a co2 pistol and practice in the garage.... it's fun...
  
  Note: I carry a pistol and have two pistol hidden in my home and the wife also has a CCW and her our pistol
  (with kids this is a little difficult)
  
  I have posted in the window NRA member "Never Rob Again"
  
  I also have knifes hidden in the closet over the door...
  
  Look at the inside of your home .... what are some potential weapon are there? Fire place tools, brass candle holders, glass top table, pencil in a cup, where is the kitchen silverware or knife rack....
  Know your surrounding and the potential weaons to protect yourself

  Just to be clear, you don't need a CCW license to own a gun. It's only needed if you wanted to carry concealed out in public. (It's legal to open carry in public.)
  
  I say get a defense shotgun. Mossberg 500 with pistol grip. Don't mess with a handgun if this is for home defense only. A shotgun takes away any accuracy issues.
• McFly1955

  

  Thanks for all of the tips/advice so far.
  
  I'm definitely going to grab a 3 pack of motion lights on Amazon.
  
  A shotgun for $200-$300 seems like a no-brainer...I wish we had one now. If I hear a noise downstairs, it would be nice to have something other than knives and household items to defend my house and family.
  
  
  I want to get my CCW and carry...Not all of the time, but I would like to have the option and, again, I've talked about doing this for 2-3 years and just haven't done it. I'm going to really plan on getting this done by the end of the year.
  
  
  I thought the simplisafe thing looked pretty cool, too. I'm not a fan of the subscription providers like ADT, etc...I'd like a decent home system without all of the fees and hidden charges and crap, but it does look like it can also be pretty extensive if you want (calls if your basement is flooding, etc.).
• Belly35

  

  TedSheckler;1493175 wrote:Just to be clear, you don't need a CCW license to own a gun. It's only needed if you wanted to carry concealed out in public. (It's legal to open carry in public.)
  
  That is correct you don't need a CCW to own a weapon. But weapon training is important so do something. Just don't buy a shotgun and not be trained in using it.
  
  I say get a defense shotgun. Mossberg 500 with pistol grip. Don't mess with a handgun if this is for home defense only. A shotgun takes away any accuracy issues.

  
  
  May want to think about what the wife can handle to some degree... and get her training... you could find out that together you both enjoy range shooting ...
  
  My wife can somewhat handle my .45 but it's not practical, even a shot gun depending on the gauge, easy handle a 20 gauge but 12 gauge not going to happen
  
  Choose wise grasshopper
  
  
  
• Sonofanump

  Iliketurtles;1493166 wrote:Well first off I didn't know there were any good areas left in Toledo....

  Central and Lagrange is awesome at night.
• gut

  It's expensive, but can you really beat a alarm system (with LOUD indoor and outdoor speakers) that is monitored?
  
  You can do a lot of little things to discourage a break-in, but that only work with the "professionals". A lot of these guys are going to just be too dumb to make note of a dog bowl or an NRA sticker.
  
  Note: I think they tell you NOT to put up anything like an NRA sticker or about guns - that just tells criminals you have a gun to steal. Again, probably discourages the "pro" but for the aspiring thug that needs a gun?
• OSH

  

  gut;1493277 wrote:Note: I think they tell you NOT to put up anything like an NRA sticker or about guns - that just tells criminals you have a gun to steal. Again, probably discourages the "pro" but for the aspiring thug that needs a gun?

  This is a good reminder!
  
  Don't advertise what you have.
• said_aouita

  

  Belly35;1493170 wrote:
  -Some sort of DIY home security system such as http://simplisafe.com/ (well reviewed online) if it make you feel better good
  

  :huh:
  
  

  gut;1493277 wrote: You can do a lot of little things to discourage a break-in, but that only work with the "professionals". A lot of these guys are going to just be too dumb to make note of a dog bowl or an NRA sticker.
  
  Note: I think they tell you NOT to put up anything like an NRA sticker or about guns - that just tells criminals you have a gun to steal. Again, probably discourages the "pro" but for the aspiring thug that needs a gun?

  I think some people (like Belly) advertise being a gun lover in hopes somebody does break in someday.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  said_aouita;1493371 wrote:umm...wow.

  It's belly. He's lisdexlyic.
• gut

  said_aouita;1493371 wrote: I think some people (like Belly) advertise being a gun lover in hopes somebody does break in someday.

  lol reps
• Belly35

  

  Years ago when the kids where small our home was broken in. I did not have guns at that time just a long hunting knife and baseball bat. I'm a light sleeper I hear some noise in the garage and then the noise on the steps that lead into the kitchen. Woke up the wife to call the police, the dog (great propector barked) I run down stairs as the thief ran out the garage side door. He had two option cut across my front yard or head to the back yard ... I run out the front door in hoping he would take the front yard route. He when the back way...
  
  Seeing the fear on my wife face and the kids scared will never happen again in my house...
  
  I was prepared to do what ever it would takes to stop this thief...
  If some broke into my home now ... i would do whatever it takes to protect my wife and myself. If you don't have that mentality and preparedness .... you're a fool
• dlazz

  TedSheckler;1493172 wrote:Nothing you can do. I'd move.

  This is the correct answer.
• said_aouita

  

  Belly35;1493410 wrote: I run down stairs as the thief ran out the garage side door. He had two option cut across my front yard or head to the back yard ... I run out the front door in hoping he would take the front yard route. He when the back way...
  I was prepared to do what ever it would takes to stop this thief...
  If some broke into my home now ... i would do whatever it takes to protect my wife and myself. If you don't have that mentality and preparedness .... you're a fool

  
  So "doing whatever it takes protect my wife and myself" includes chasing after the thief when he's running away.....
  
  Makes sense to me. :rolleyes:
• iclfan2

  

  said_aouita;1493484 wrote:So "doing whatever it takes protect my wife and myself" includes chasing after the thief when he's running away.....
  
  Makes sense to me. :rolleyes:

  Why I support the castle doctrine. If they're on your property, and thought so little of taking your personal property, shoot them dead. Saves our justice system, and other potential home owners, a ton of headaches.
• said_aouita

  

  iclfan2;1493536 wrote:Why I support the castle doctrine. If they're on your property, and thought so little of taking your personal property, shoot them dead. Saves our justice system, and other potential home owners, a ton of headaches.

  Chases guy out the back door not realizing theirs two burglars, leaves wife alone while enjoying the hunt.
  
  "doing whatever it takes protect my wife and myself" is not chasing after one person.
• Belly35

  

  said_aouita;1493542 wrote:Chases guy out the back door not realizing theirs two burglars, leaves wife alone while enjoying the hunt.
  
  "doing whatever it takes protect my wife and myself" is not chasing after one person.

  Where the fuck did this other guy come from?
  
  You can always tell who the clueless ones are, protected and sheltered from the environment around them. Same type of people that can’t hear the engine ticking, tire thumping, bush and flower smashed under the window and the sense to know that something just not right as they approach the back door.
  
  I knew by the sounds, the level of noise, the chair that creaked on the kitchen floor where he was, and from his exit, the lack of additional voices that there was only one .... You must think everyone is as numb as you are.
  
  People like you will do nothing more than the minimum, letting thief’s, criminals and thugs get away only to do harm to some else because you have no sense of courage nor duty to do what right at all cost. Self centered mofo
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Belly35;1493570 wrote:Where the fuck did this other guy come from?
  
  You can always tell who the clueless ones are, protected and sheltered from the environment around them. Same type of people that can’t hear the engine ticking, tire thumping, bush and flower smashed under the window and the sense to know that something just not right as they approach the back door.
  
  I knew by the sounds, the level of noise, the chair that creaked on the kitchen floor where he was, and from his exit, the lack of additional voices that there was only one .... You must think everyone is as numb as you are.
  
  People like you will do nothing more than the minimum, letting thief’s, criminals and thugs get away only to do harm to some else because you have no sense of courage nor duty to do what right at all cost. Self centered mofo

  Do you have heightened senses b/c you only have one eye?