surviving a burglary

SURVIVING A BURGLARY

SPONSORED BY COEBURN POLICE DEPT.

CREATED BY H. STALLARD 12/07hstallard@yahoo.com

BURGLARY STATISTICS

Most burglaries occur between 10 AM and 3PM (after most people leave for work and before kids get home from school)

The typical burglar is a male teen-ager who lives within a couple of miles of your home. The chance of being victimized by a professional thief is low.

Frequent entry points for burglaries are windows and doors. Research shows that if it takes more than four or five minutes to break into a home, the burglar will go elsewhere.

Burglars spend an average of 8 to 12 minutes in your home.

The master bedroom is usually the first place hit because most people keep their valuables there.

Their favorite items to steal are: cash, jewelry, electronic equipment, silver, guns and other items that

are easy to sell on the street or "hock" at a pawnshop.

FACTS

In the USA, a burglar occurs every 8 seconds.

FACTS

On average, 1 out of every 6 homes will be burglarized this year.

FACTS

Half of all burglaries take place without forced entry. In many cases the burglar used a "key".

One study showed that 12 percent of burglaries occurred through an unlocked door.

FACTS Homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely

to be broken into than homes with security systems.

You CAN’T stop someone who really wants to break in!

• There is no such thing as a burglar-proof home or a car that cannot be broken into and stolen, a lock that cannot be picked, drilled or bypassed, no security system that cannot be broached.

• If someone is dedicated enough, skilled enough and has the proper tools, he will get in, no matter what measures you take.

• What you can do is make it hard enough that the average criminal will decide to ply his trade elsewhere.

A Point to Remember

When improving the security of your home, don't exchange security for personal safety. Don't make your home such a fortress that you are unable to escape in case of a fire or other emergency.

How To Harden the Target

• Target hardening is a process wherein a building is made into a more difficult or less attractive target.

Hardening the Target

You want to do things that will cause a burglar to have to spend more time to get in.

The longer it takes…the more likely he is to be seen and caught.

Windows

Windows and door glass can always be broken out.

But that makes noise…something most burglars want to avoid.

Alarms

Alarms warn you of an intrusion. Alarms MAY or MAY NOT scare off an

intruder. An alarm is only a first line defense…it is not

intended to be the whole security system.

Window and Door Alarms

Wireless alarms that are battery powered are best for rented dwellings.

Most use the two sided tape or small screws to affix to the windows or doors.

Most can be obtained for under $20 at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Radio Shack.

VIBRATION ALARM

Detects shock and sudden impacts to windows and doors Easily mounted with two sided tape

Movement Alarms

Alarm sounds when window or door is opened.

Preventing the Door from Opening

A Point to Remember The chain and bar that lets you partially open

the door, isn’t that secure. The door can still be kicked open because the

screws used to hold the latch on the door are too small.

If you decide to use one, you might want to consider adding a side mounted mirror.

Hardening the Door

An Entrance Lock is Easily Defeated

A Dead Bolt is More Secure

Single Cylinder Dead Bolt

…has a manual knob on one side and a key on the other side.

Double Cylinder Dead Bolt …is keyed from both sides.

The main disadvantage to this is that in an emergency (fire, earthquake, Big Mac Attack, etc.) you have to have the key to get the door open.

Why You Can Kick in a Door

The Striker Plate

…is the weakest part of the locking system.

Most striker plates are secured with ½ inch screws.

Best length should be 2 or 3 inches.

The door itself…

Should have a solid core.

Preventing the Window from Opening

If you return home and discover a break in…

Don’t go in…the burglar may still be inside. Even if you know they’ve gone wait for the police…

you could destroy evidence at the crime scene. Go to a neighbor or use a cell phone and call the

police. Have a list of your valuables, their descriptions,

serial numbers, etc. Digital pictures saved on a removable storage device, especially of jewelry will be very helpful to the police.

Security

…comes in two parts.1. PHYSICAL

2. MENTAL

Hardening the target is the physical part. Security is also a mental state of mind…the

way you think and the way you react. Do you open the door to strangers? Do you tell strangers on the phone that you

are home alone? All the security devices you have won’t help

you if you don’t use them correctly. You have to use your head as well as your

security devices.

• COEBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT

• 114 FRONT STREET

• 395-2111

• CHIEF SCOTT BROOKS

• sbrooks@townofcoeburn.com