ISSUE # 2 Don't Be A Victim!

      Natural Disasters, Terrorism, The Zombie Apocalypse, There are dozens of situations that people prepare for some are real some are fictional. Unfortunately, Being a victim of a violent Home Invasion, or having your home burglarized is not a fictional scenario, the bad news is that crime is always happening and it does not matter where you live. It is a common mistake for us to say “I live in a safe neighborhood; nothing is going to happen to me.” According to the F.B.I you are dead wrong with this type of thinking, because your safe neighborhood is exactly where “The burglars go to find unsuspecting victims. In 2012 an estimated 8,975,438 property crimes took place with the victims suffering an estimated $15.5 billion in lost property”. Experts agree that your chances of being victimized by a professional burglar are very low but should still be proactive, making your home a safe haven.

    Now don’t think that running out and buying an AR-15 is going to be the answer to beefing up your home security, because you would be wrong, even if you own a firearm at this very moment, you need to have a more comprehensive Home-Defense Plan in place and understand that Burglaries are a crime of opportunity, committed by criminals (most likely a male teen, living a couple of miles around your home) who seek an easy target. However Home invasion robbers are going to take their time and select their victims well in advance, in either situation, let’s break down your defensive options that will go a long way in keeping your family safe.

     To keep your family safe, you must understand how a burglar thinks. Most burglars are going to decide in a few seconds whether they will target your home or move on and will most likely:

                                                                                    

DONE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: Once Inside your home, Burglars will head straight for the master bedroom because they know that’s where you keep your money, jewelry, and firearms, Burglars will spend anywhere from six to twelve minutes in your home. About the time it takes you to rent a movie from REDBOX. So keep your valuables locked in a safe.
 

HOME INVASIONS: Are usually very violent crimes committed by a different type of criminal who targets their victims prior to the invasion either by your occupation or because of their recent activities, such as carrying or spending a lot of money so don’t go around town trying to be a high-roller trying to attract the ladies because you just might attract the wrong attention and wind up with a few unexpected house guest. Criminals know what they want and don’t mind getting down and dirty to get it. Home Invasion Burglars will knock or ring the doorbell and force their way into the house when you open the door to see who is there.

You don’t have to be paranoid about being a victim, because that is not going to be effective. Having situational awareness, on the other hand, is, you must understand that being aware and prepared is simply being responsible. So take control and be observant in your life, you should always be scanning and assessing  everything and every one around you, mix up your daily routine by leaving and arriving home at different times and travel different routes, this will help you assess if you are being followed. If you think your being followed, try taking a few left turns and then a right turn, if you are still being followed you should dial 911 and explain that you are being followed, the operator will advise you what 

steps to take. When you arrive home you should vary your entry and exit points, just so that you are not so predictable.

SEEK EASY TARGETS: The majority of burglars will look for easy targets such as a house or an apartment that they can easily break into, steal from, and then leave without being seen or caught. Although “professional burglars” do exist, most criminals are opportunists who look for vacant homes with an unlocked door or an open window. Most break-ins occur on the ground floor of the residents with the burglar gaining entry through a rear or side door (both locked and unlocked) with the garage door the second most common access point. Burglars have no problem breaking down doors or shattering windowpanes to enter residences. This is why it’s important to reinforce the main entry points that burglars target and make it as difficult as possible for them to gain entry. Keep in mind, most burglars will spend only a minute or two trying to break in. If they aren’t successful within that time frame, they will likely give up, as the extra time and effort increases the likelihood of apprehension.

HOURS OF OPERATION: Burglars typically keep the same hours you do and will strike between the hours of 9:00a.m & 3:00p.m so that they can avoid running into you.

KEEP YOUR YARD TIDY: By keeping your yard clean, and all shrubs and bushes trimmed, especially near your windows, you won’t be giving any burglars a place to hide, giving you and your neighbors an unobstructed view of your property.

When you make big purchases such as computers and Big Screen TV’s, break down your empty boxes so they are not hanging out of the recycling bin advertising your valuables.

    You should also collect your mail and newspapers regularly to show occupancy. If you are going to be away for awhile make sure that mail and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or you make arrangements with a neighbor or friend to pick them up. It’s also a good idea to also get your neighbor to tend your yard and keep an eye on your house while you are on vacation. Whatever you do, do not post on social media sites that you will be away on vacation.

INSTALL FLOOD LIGHTS: You want to make sure there are no dark areas around your house, garage, or yard at night that would hide any prowlers. Burglars hate outdoor lighting (especially motion activated lights). Make sure your lights are easily reached but can’t be messed with; just keep in mind if its easy for you to reach the light bulbs, then it’s going to be for burglars as well. Use flood lights appropriately to ensure effective illumination and that every entrance has a bright, working light to illuminate visitors. Make sure your house numbers are clearly displayed so that police and other emergency responders can quickly locate your house.

INSTALL SOLID-CORE DOORS WITH PEEPHOLES AND DEAD BOLT LOCKS: You are going to want to replace the ¾ inch screws that are commonly installed in your door hinges with at least 1-inch screws using fasteners that will reach into the studs behind the door frame. You want to use doors that feature wide-angle peepholes at heights everyone can use. You may consider installing The Brinno Peephole Viewer that uses an LCD panel to display who’s at the door with just a push of a button. If you have glass panels in or near your door, you need to reinforce it by adding 3M safety and security window film to prevent it from being shattered. Having lighted entryways with a working, keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt will help deter some burglars.

GARAGE AND SLIDING DOORS: The door leading into your home from the garage should be a solid wood or metal door with a quality keyed lock and deadbolt along with reinforced door frames and kick plates. If you have the option we recommend you add a peephole to this door as well, that way if you do hear anything going on in the garage, you don’t have to open the door and invite them in. On your sliding doors you should be utilizing a dowel or a pin to secure the sliding glass door to prevent it from being shoved aside or lifted from the track.

GARAGE DOOR WINDOWS: Burglars love to window shop for high value items, don’t do them any favors and tempt them to make you their next victim. Replace your garage door with one that doesn’t have windows.  If that is not an option you should frost cover the windows for the same result.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR GARAGE OPEN: Leaving your garage open is allowing anyone to drive or walk by and get a full view of what you have. Just keep your door closed at all times, even if you’re running down the block to rent a movie from REDBOX. A burglar doesn’t need long to walk in and take what he wants, don’t give them any chance.

TAKE YOUR KEYS: This just might be the biggest security mistake you could make, parking your vehicle in the garage and leaving the keys in it. Most people have multiple keys and spares on their key ring and you’re basically leaving your house open for the burglar, you might as well invite him in and sign the house over if you’re making this common mistake.

PARKED CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY: If you can’t park in the garage, don’t make the mistake of leaving the garage door opener in your vehicle along with your spare keys (I KNOW, RIGHT). This sounds crazy but burglars will break into your vehicle, take the garage door opener or your keys and walk right in.

PROTECT YOU WINDOWS: Every window in your home needs to have a working lock or be securely pinned and locked, even when you have them open just a few inches for ventilation, you don’t want to leave any chance for a burglar to sneak in through your windows, even if it’s on the second story. For an added measure of security you can have bars installed, but make sure you get a model that will allow you to open them from the inside incase of an emergency. The last thing you need is to become trapped in your own home. Another added defense measure would be to apply 3M Safety and Security Film that is made of layers of tear-resistant micro layers that will prevent the glass from shattering, it will not make the windows bullet proof, but it will act as a deterrent and slow down any intruder.

KEEP YOUR SHADES OR BLINDS CLOSED: Our homes are where we keep some of our most valuable belongings, the things we’ve worked so hard for throughout our lives, material possessions and family heirlooms, and by keeping your blinds closed, will not allow any burglars to go window shopping while you’re at work.

DON’T ADVERTISE: Burglars go for cash, jewelry, electronics and other easy to sell items and they really love firearms. Criminals also love that sign on your front lawn saying “Don’t worry about the dog, worry about the owner” or the sticker in your car window saying this car is protected by GLOCK. Advertising you have firearms may deter some burglars but the fact is they look for these types of signs, so think twice before you advertise.

INVEST IN A SECURITY SYSTEM: Having a monitored home security system will deter most criminals; it is a hassle for them to try and bypass the alarm system. And just having the posted sign in your yard from a known security company will make any criminal think twice. We also recommend you install a burglar blaster, a self contained electric OC pepper spray anti-burglar system. You can install one yourself because there is no wiring involved. It uses a passive infrared detection system, one unit controls up to 2,000 square feet. Once triggered, the unit releases four ounces of irritating OC pepper Spray to stop an intruder in seconds.

www.burglarblaster.com

ADD A HOME SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM: Having a monitored home security system is a must have in case of an emergency, you don’t want to go looking for intruders, just sit back and view your surveillance cameras to asses the situation, giving you the critical edge over the bad guys, because you will have plenty of time to react and take appropriate measures. A Home Surveillance system is a great deterrent, since bad guys don’t like being recorded while they commit a crime.
We also recommend getting a system that will send you alerts allowing you to monitor you surveillance feeds from your mobile phone and computer. For more information on surveillance systems visit:  www.defender-usa.com

FORTIFY YOUR HOME: Okay Mr. Money Bags, you don’t need to live in a hardened missile silo to protect your family, you can live in an elegant house designed by a team of experienced internationally recognized and highly specialized team of engineers, scientists and ex-Navy SEALS who are experts in the fields of building fortifications, personal security, advanced security systems and offensive/defensive components. Hardened structures can confidentiality design and construct your fortified home to meet your individual architectural style.

     Our friends at Hardened Structures can build you an elegant fortified home to help protect you and your family against a wide range of threats including forced entry/assaults (Home Invasion), and even a zombie apocalypse. Your family and loved ones are special, just don’t buy a or build a home, Show your loved ones how special there are by building an elegant fortified home to keep them safe while providing for your family’s long term living requirements.

For more information visit www.hardenedstructures.com

GET A HIGHLY TRAINED PROTECTION DOG: Having a cuddly alarm system that can be more reliable than a security system and provide you with faster home defense than your firearm can be the difference between life and death.  Everybody knows that there are three things in life that man loves most: a good woman, lots of loaded firearms and a loyal dog. It may not be in that order, but having all three of these in life will provide you with many cherished memories of comfort and joy. Of the three only one will be guaranteed to be fighting by your side, and we’re not talking about the one that could run off with Sancho, or run out of ammo in a fire fight. Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals, and a highly trained personal protection canine can assess any situation in a flash. Just imagine your canine warrior alerted to the sound of an intruder and before you can even react, the intruder has 75 pounds of fur, teeth and muscle closing in on him at 35 mph.

    You can rest assured that when  your canine warrior latches on viciously to the intruders leg, arm or private parts, that the intruder is not paying you any attention, giving you the critical edge to escape and call 911 or aim for center mass and put the intruder down then call 911. Now don’t get into your head that your going to run to your local pet store and buy an attack dog, It takes a certain dog with the proper drive and characteristics to become a home defense canine. Having a trained warrior can start as high as $8,000 and exceed $50,000, so get it out of your head that you’re going to train one yourself. In fact our friends are canine experts and only work with certain types of dogs that are born and bred for their specific life mission.
For more information contact:

Alex Dunbar -Trainer (CQB K-9) www.cqbk9.com