Warning: Burglars read the obituaries, too - Bottom Line

When my mother died, we had someone come and house sit while the family was at the funeral. Alas, a few years later we tried to sell the house by newspaper ad. House still had some furniture in it. Thieves broke in and stole what was left including my parents' sleigh bed and a couple of large medieval hunting scene tapestries.
Another word of caution. Thieves go on open house tours too!
C'est la vie.

Went to a Neighborhood Watch meeting a couple of weeks ago. The sherrif's department explained their "House Watch" program. You just tell them when you are going on vacation and they check your house daily. They described how the officers on the night shift spend at least half of their time checking houses. They have to get out of their car and walk around the house, checking doors, etc.

So…if a burglar wants to know who is on vacation, all he needs to do is follow the night beat officer around and the officer will show him plenty of houses where nobody is home. All compliments of the local taxpayer.

I'm a member of our neighborhood watch. In our area, since we trust each other as much as we do, we call the captain, and leave him a copy of our keys if we leave town (which for my family, is about once a month). Two people, mainly retired or night shift workers, keep an eye on the area, making semi normal walks in the neighborhood at differing hours of the night. When on the walk, they'll come into the house, and turn some of the lights on for you, if you so desire, then lock everything back up.

This area may not look like the safest around, but it's the safest neighborhood I've lived in...and I've lived in some really nice areas.

However...we can't seem to get the cops to spend the time in the area with the neighborhood kids. I doubt the cops know the kids' names. That being said, we rarely see a cruiser in the area.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Rule Number One: DTA (Don't TRUST ANYONE). Trust me (ever notice how many people begin their sentences with the words "Trust Me"????), as soon as you let your guard down, they will let you down or perhaps screw you to the wall.

I have been let down many times. Especially since I don't own a Benz anymore.

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For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

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That's why only the key for the front door/foyer area is given...all bedrooms are locked, the living room locked, etc.

The head of the NWP is the former police chief. Other members include the fire chief, the mayor, and the head of city maintenance. We keep it safe...

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Better yet, stick a pre-paid phone running a GPS tracking app to the car with a magnet.

Once they're in, they can use their lock-picks at leisure, unless the rooms are alarmed

once he is shocked into reality by someone whom he knows and trusts explicitly who unexpectedly violates and betrays his trust, he won't loan a key out to ANYONE.

anyone keep up with the BTK killer story in Wichita, Kansas? The guy worked for the ADT Home Security company which gave him access to homeowner's home alarm system security codes. He'd disable their home alarm, waltz right in and KILL THEM. Then, he got a job as the local dog catcher. He used that position to kill a woman's dog. Kinda blows the idea that just because someone works for the government you should automatically place blind trust in them. All the while he's a pillar of the community in the local church and a CUB SCOUT LEADER. YIKES!!!

READ THIS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Rader

there are bad guys everywhere and we all need to be on our toes. lock your doors; keep up with who has a key to your home, install security lights and if you see someone snooping around the neighborhood, take note of who they are and what they are doing. best not to worry, live everyday and enjoy the sunshine.