HOME INVASIONS REVISITED

[Kanewpadle]

People please....... Do what's necessary to protect yourselves!!

Without going into specifics because you can Google it, there were three home invasions here in Western Washington in 24 hours. All ending in the use of a firearm.

And if you think that all crimes are reported, they aren't.

Last week I was dispatched to the home of a police officer in a neighboring city. The back door was kicked in while his wife was in the shower. This happened in broad daylight. Thinking she heard something, she got out of the shower and looked downstairs in time to see three young men run out the front door.

They got her purse, car keys, Ipad, and they very gun that was left there by her husband for her to use.

The deadbolt was made in China. The bolt itself sheared in half. A two year old could have kicked in the door. I replaced it and made a key for her car. I can't begin to tell you how shaken she was.

They have an alarm system and cameras. She forgot to set the alarm and the camera got three young white men without faces.

This crime was not reported at the request of the officer.

I've lost count of the many people I have helped due to home invasion or burglary. I can tell you that these people won't sleep for weeks or months to come. It's a life altering event which nobody should endure.

Having a gun is not enough. Nor is an alarm system or video.
Keep the bad guys out or slow them long enough to enable yourself time to do whatever it is you need to do.

It has also been reported that the use of a firearm by bad guys is on the rise.


I've ranted and raved about this many, many times and people don't seem to be concerned until it's too late.

Seventy five percent of the homes that I go to have locks that are not adequate enough to slow down a 100 pound crackhead. If you fall into that category, do something about it!

Sorry for the rant. But I'm sick of seeing good people hurt when they could have and should have done more beforehand.

 

[bitstream]

Thanks for the warning; I keep my .45 on the hip and nearby when I sleep. I check every door/window before I head up to bed at night and do what I can.

 

[kraigwy]

Better then a dead bolt is a little rubber door stopper. Cheap, about $3 bucks. Put in your pocket when you travel and use it in motel rooms.

Not saying a gun is not a necessary, but if you're in the shower, chances are your gun isn't.

Alarms just get the cops started your way. A good burglary will last less the three minutes, less then response time.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Good for you Bit.

I've kept track of most of the reported home invasions and burglaries in this area for several years now. And it helps to know a few local cops who share info when and if they can.

In almost every case, the bad guys were able to easily penetrate the perimeter of each home. This is completely unacceptable and irresponsible.

Of course you couldn't find a more liberal place than the Seattle area with the exception of maybe California.

To make matters worse, I've lost count of the guns that have been stolen also. NO GUN SAFE!!

 

[redlevel]

I hear about dead-bolts, and I understand the efficacy of using well-made components in construction, but I don't believe I have ever seen a home that a determined miscreant couldn't breach in 30 seconds or less. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but other than a specially made steel-framed door, I believe me and one other person my strength and size (when I was 21) could take 99% of the doors in residential housing in less than 30 seconds.

 

[HalfStack]

That's a heads up. I carry mine all the time in my house except my sis don't like guns. I guess she trusts me enough handling guns and don't say anything except she asked if I'm going to shoot the dogs fighting in our front yard. I said no sis, it's for me when I go outside.

At least she's savvy enough not to open the door from a knock unless she knows them. I have to remind her that men in uniforms is part of their schemes and believe nothing they say. Call the cop if she hadn't called for assistance.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Better then a dead bolt is a little rubber door stopper. Cheap, about $3 bucks. Put in your pocket when you travel and use it in motel rooms.

Not saying a gun is not a necessary, but if you're in the shower, chances are your gun isn't.

Alarms just get the cops started your way. A good burglary will last less the three minutes, less then response time.

True enough. There are many little things you can do if you take the time.

I have to remember that I'm not speaking to a bunch of liberals on this forum. At least I sure hope not!!

But around here people are quite liberal to put it nicely. These are the very people that expect the cops to magically appear when they are needed the most.

They are finding out the hard way.

Too many people are worried about perception. "Gosh, if I do that, people will think I'm paranoid!"

Yeah well, used that excuse when your the victim of a home invasion.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I hear about dead-bolts, and I understand the efficacy of using well-made components in construction, but I don't believe I have ever seen a home that a determined miscreant couldn't breach in 30 seconds or less. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but other than a specially made steel-framed door, I believe me and one other person my strength and size (when I was 21) could take 99% of the doors in residential housing in less than 30 seconds.

There are several ways to beef up a door and jamb. But it all starts will a decent, solid door. There are products out there that the general public knows little about unfortunately.

If and only if you have a good deadbolt, a wrap around plate will prevent the door from splitting.
Amazon.com: Mag Security Istall-a-lock Door Reinforcer: Home Improvement

And a reinforced strike plate will keep the jamb from splitting out too.
Products

The above products will greatly enhance your security at a reasonable cost.

There are no guarantees. But I will guarantee that if use the above products and install them correctly, they WILL be better than what you have now and increase the time you have to act if your home.

And yes, I have these products or something like them on my doors.

 

[bitstream]

True enough. There are many little things you can do if you take the time.

I have to remember that I'm not speaking to a bunch of liberals on this forum. At least I sure hope not!!

But around here people are quite liberal to put it nicely. These are the very people that expect the cops to magically appear when they are needed the most.

They are finding out the hard way.

Too many people are worried about perception. "Gosh, if I do that, people will think I'm paranoid!"

Yeah well, used that excuse when your the victim of a home invasion.

Yeah, I've tried talking with people like that... They think you're some kind of paranoid psycho for carrying a gun. What if it goes off!?! They exclaim. Then they tell me I should let the police take care of it and not fight back and escalate the situation and that I don't need a gun anyway because a) it's nearly impossible that I'll have a situation b) I won't be able to draw my gun anyway if confronted, c) I'll start shooting innocent people in a "wild west" shootout, d) only police can use a gun and everyone else should never have one as they are too dangerous, e) the bad guy will take my gun away and use it on me, f) it's a virtual impossibility that I'll ever be assaulted, g) a "real man" doesn't need a gun and can just defend himself. I'm probably missing a bunch of other tokens of liberal wisdom, forgive me for being forgetful.

I figure it like this, it's my business and responsibility. I put in 20 years in the military and was trusted with $100M programs and all of the small arms for our entire Wing. I kind of figure I can be trusted with a gun. Second, I'd rather have a chance than no chance. And finally, if they come in my house, I intend to do my best to send them out running, or being carried if they so choose. That's up to them.

 

[chief38]

I have Medico "burglar proof" locks on my house, but the truth of the matter is if I were burglarized, they would more than likely just smash the glass sliding door in the rear of the house or the stained glass in the front door. From what I understand from LEO's, very few Burglars actually even try to pick, break or manipulate a front door lock when there are much easier and faster methods.

We do have an alarm as well, but I for one truly don't take much stock or comfort in it. I rely more on my Dog to alert us and myself to defend us. Hope it never happens, but Mr. Remington (870 pump) and Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson are ready, willing and able should the SHTF.

Chief38

 

[Kanewpadle]

I also have Medeco deadbolts. They are expensive but absolutley the strongest and the best period.

See your local locksmith and inquire about adding a keyed lock to your sliding door. If they do smash it, they will have to crawl in through the broken glass.

And 3M makes a security film which will prevent them from breaking the glass out.

 

[McBear]

True enough. There are many little things you can do if you take the time.

I have to remember that I'm not speaking to a bunch of liberals on this forum. At least I sure hope not!!

But around here people are quite liberal to put it nicely. These are the very people that expect the cops to magically appear when they are needed the most.

They are finding out the hard way.

Too many people are worried about perception. "Gosh, if I do that, people will think I'm paranoid!"

Yeah well, used that excuse when your the victim of a home invasion.

At times you likely are talking to liberals on this forum...like me. Here in Kentucky a liberal is just as likely to be a gun owner as a conservative, and just as situationally aware [I've been shooting since I was five which is over 50 years]. And of the folks I know in Washington state, whether at Microsoft, Nintendo or Boeing only two of the lefties don't shoot.

We have found here in Kentucky that many home invasions [although not all] are somehow connected to drugs and that somewhere along the line there are connections between perp and victim. The random, isolated invasion is just not that common here.

 

[chud333]

About the only thing you can do is keep valuables/guns locked in a safe and do your best to keep your home druggie/idiot proof.
If a Professional thief wants in your house he will get in. I don't have the possesions/valuables to warrant my house being targeted by pros and i keep my guns/important documents/family heirlooms/ locked in my safe. I also keep the windows and doors locked when i'm not home. When i am home i have something available to ruin an idiots day real quickly. Even my gun safe could be cracked by the right person but not your average meth user or lowlife thief.


chuck

 

[A10]

We've got your basic California lefty tree hugging anti gun chainsaw hating Bigfoot loving space alien seeking west coast nutjobs up here. Just look up Congressman Jim McDermott and his love for commie dictators, you'll get the idea. If you prefer, look up Senator Patty Murray, often voted the most stupid member of the Senate (examples of Washington liberals, not a political commentary believe it or not).

 

[Andy Griffith]

Doors, when reinforced are the strong points of entry into a home, and they are usually in full view of streets, neighbors, etc. It's usually the windows where neer-de-wells seem to break in around here.

There was one noted break in where they actually just cut a hole in roof because the place couldn't be accessed any other way. They caught the guys trying to get back out. However, there was a lot of damage. The owner then put steel grating under the roof...as he had the money to do that.

Hanging a motor out of a tree, putting rusty cars and broken lawn mowers in the yard, busted out 20yr old computer or TV screens on the porch, let the screen door fall of it's hinges, throwing cans and things in the yard and making the place look like a dump works too...camouflage!!! Make certain they get a good case of tetanus if they try to break in.

 

[O2Guy]

This crime was not reported at the request of the officer.

Please explain this.

 

[nipster]

Hanging a motor out of a tree, putting rusty cars and broken lawn mowers in the yard, busted out 20yr old computer or TV screens on the porch, let the screen door fall of it's hinges, throwing cans and things in the yard and making the place look like a dump works too...camouflage!!! Make certain they get a good case of tetanus if they try to break in.

Rather than making your home look like a bunch of white trash live there, I like the "moat with alligators" or "pit 'o vipers" approach


Seriously though, it needs to be said that there are really 2 different scenarios.

1. The "home invasion" type scenario mentioned, which will be multiple people, probably through the front door, no attempt at stealth, most likely armed. Beefy front door and deadbolt will help tremendously

2. The "catburgler" scenario. Most likely 1, maybe 2 people, stealthy, quiet, most likely unarmed, most likely through a side window or rear door / sliding glass door.

Both are "in and out fast", burgler alarms dont really help, but they will give the burglar a reason to leave quicker.

 

[Engine 21]

Rather than making your home look like a bunch of white trash live there, I like the "moat with alligators" or "pit 'o vipers" approach


Seriously though, it needs to be said that there are really 2 different scenarios.

1. The "home invasion" type scenario mentioned, which will be multiple people, probably through the front door, no attempt at stealth, most likely armed. Beefy front door and deadbolt will help tremendously

2. The "catburgler" scenario. Most likely 1, maybe 2 people, stealthy, quiet, most likely unarmed, most likely through a side window or rear door / sliding glass door.

Both are "in and out fast", burgler alarms dont really help, but they will give the burglar a reason to leave quicker.

I got a few more reasons to leave quicker - Beretta, Colt and of course S & W.

 

[cmort666]

I have to remember that I'm not speaking to a bunch of liberals on this forum. At least I sure hope not!!

I'm a liberal and own and carry guns. I don't have any problem at all shooting somebody who's posing an imminent and credible threat to my life and limb.

My cousin's a religious conservative and wouldn't own a gun in a million years, much less shoot an assailant with one.

Of course I guess it comes down to how you define "liberal". I don't consider anyone who'd tell a woman that it's better for her to be beaten, raped and murdered than to defend herself with a gun "liberal". Misogynist, Islamist maybe, but certainly not "liberal". Mostly I call them "cheerleaders for rapists". They don't like that. I don't care.

Anybody can call themselves anything. You can call yourself the King of Romania. That don't make it so.

 

[cmort666]

Hanging a motor out of a tree, putting rusty cars and broken lawn mowers in the yard, busted out 20yr old computer or TV screens on the porch, let the screen door fall of it's hinges, throwing cans and things in the yard and making the place look like a dump works too...camouflage!!! Make certain they get a good case of tetanus if they try to break in.

They'll probably just assume that you're cooking meth and come looking for cash and product lying around.