Attempted break-in last night

[GoodDaughter]

............

[NCLee]

I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that. And, I'm really glad whoever it was didn't get in.

FWIW, recently my BIL put in a security system that records anyone who comes to his doors. I have no idea of the cost, as he put his system together, himself. Based on the problem you mentioned in your tall fence thread, you may want to look into something along that line.

Then, get a restraining order for that neighbor, if you truly believe he's the one who tried your door. Yes, I know that won't stop him, if he's determined. But, it will help you, if you have to drop him in your kitchen.

Give your little dog an extra treat and a big hug. :) If nothing else, sounds like you didn't have to replace a damaged door because he scared off whoever it was.

Lee

[docsoos]

Sorry to hear you had trouble, GoodDaughter. Sounds like you have two of the three most important deterents: a noisy dog and a handgun. You might want to think about getting an alarm system for your house, in case they attempt to quietly get in, and the dog doesn't hear it.

About 9 years ago, we were burglarized (both the wife and I worked days at that time), to the tune of about $14,000 worth of our belongings. They cut ever mattress open, tossed every dresser drawer, trashed the entire house, and destroyed the door and the door frame in the most hidden part of our house. We know this happened sometime between 7:00 AM (when we both left for work), and 10:00 AM, in broad daylight. The medium-sized dog we had at the time was severely kicked and beaten, our neighbor found him about 10:00 AM, limping and walking around the front of the house (he stayed inside during the day).

We now have a full alarm system, video surveillance on EVERY path to the house, and three really BIG German Shepherds that stay in the house during the day, when I'm asleep (nightshift). Sad that it took something like that to raise our level of awareness, but living in the country, you tend to relax, probably TOO much. Crime is EVERYwhere these days, even in the backwoods, and it's a shame that we all have to be as on-guard as we do. Guess that's the price of a "free" society.

Sounds like you got a freebie "wake-up call", so prepare for the next incursion. Best of Luck to you.

DocSoos

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I'm glad you are ok. I would get a couple of big dogs to go with the little one too. Thank the Lord for your little dog.

[kawalekm]

I'm glad you are OK. I know how much this disturbs the serenity of your world. It is very disappointing to hear the the Sheriff did nothing after your call. Glad you have your own gun though. Perhaps what you should do next is set up a target in a location visable to all your neighbors and have some target practice. Maybe your would-be burgular will see you with your gun and take the hint.

[backlash]

Did you call the sheriff back and ask why no one showed up?
I would and then tell them about the neighbor.
Maybe the sheriff could go ask the neighbor if he saw anything and let him know they will be keeping an eye on your place.
I would make sure there is a police report filed.
Sounds like you need to get a paperwork trail started in case you have future problems.

backlash

[DM]

I'm amazed the cops didn't show, that's unheard of here! The call is on tape, and heads would roll, if it wasn't responded to!

I'd have a couple well positioned hidden game cams, if it was me.

DM

[Suzy]

So glad they didn't get in and you weren't hurt!!! Pet that little dog for me!!! The cops around here have always told me that a barking dog is one of the best deterrants! Whether they are small or large! And I would call the sheriff's dept back and ask why NO ONE showed up! You need a written report so if you do have to shoot someone you can show a legal papertrail of how folks have been trying to break in! best wishes!

[Suzy]

And one more thing, way back when when I was much younger, we had a peeping tom who was trying to look in our back bedroom window....I was there by myself one night and heard somebody outside....I turned on all the lights quickly and as the person ran away, shot my little handgun into a nearby tree (so the bullet wouldn't randomly fly through the air and shoot some neighbor or cow!)....Never had a problem with the peeoping tom again!

[jonvee]

Thank goodness you were not hurt.

My sis had a similar thing happen several weeks ago...a guy, drunk and high, tried to get in her house, said he was suppose to sleep there. When she finally got him to leave she realized he had walked all the way up the cul de sac past neighbors standing in the street talking and noone even noticed what was happening.

She called me (not useful, I live 15 miles away) then the police who came out and basically said they couldn't do much. They did however let her know that a homeless camp had been set up in the hills behind her development and she cold expect more of this kind of thing to happen.

She called me back to complain about the police, which gave me a chance to explain that this is what I've been talking about -- WE'RE ON OUR OWN so ya better get prepared. I think she finally understands.

[TNDadx4]

Sorry to hear about your incident. I'm glad that you have your two trusted friends (the dog and the gun), though.

I hope that this doesn't happen again.

[rAcErRicK]

Glad it didn't go any further Gooddaughter. My guess is this is what you heard. It is perhaps the quietest and newest burglar tool out there. The deadbolt lock has always been considered to be the most secure of door locks. That day is now gone, making S&W or whatever "tool" you choose, once again the best insurance policy out there. Along with the knowledge, and the willingness to use it. Notice there ARE locks available that cannot be bumped, and they do mention two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr23tpWX8lM

On a personal note ; I have always recommended an NRA decal on any door as a fair warning. There of course is the argument that this is an advertisement to come in and steal my weapons, and of course if no one is home, there is that possibility. But in your case, my guess is, it would not have happened. I love the sign that shows the business end of a wheel gun and the words ; WARNING, I do not dial 9-1-1. I use a small homemade sign that states ; "There is nothing here worth your life". With my 90# bulldog to back it up..... first.

Good luck. Do what you can, while you can.

[GoodDaughter]

..........

[rAcErRicK]

Gosh GD, sorry about the dial up, but yes, it was regarding "lock bumping". That is the terrible part of this new scumbag technology, there would be no scratches at all on your lock. They find a similar key that will slide into your lock, which is not at all that hard to do, and tap on the key while applying a slight pressure turning on the key, and many times, depending on the lock of course, it simply turns in the lock sliding your dead bolt inward, and allowing effortless entry into your home. No crashing or banging, broken glass of any of that. The vid showed one entry with only one tap of a plastic screwdriver handle. Their key may or may not require a slight modification to do this, but all they have is time.
If interested, you should be able to ask any knowledgeable store owner/clerk for a new bump proof lock.

GD Quote :
However, if anyone succeeds in getting inside my house during the night, proof of who it is will not be a problem.

No, I would think identifying the corpse would not be much of a problem either. lol

[AlchemyAcres]

I called the sheriff Sunday afternoon and did ask why no one came out late Sat. night/early Sunday morning, and got a sort of "HHHHhhhhmmmm....." from the woman who worked there. I asked if the call had been assigned to an officer and was told she would have to 'check' and 'get back to me'. Never heard back, naturally. I am surprised that some of you actually have police show up when you call them. We are definitely on our own around here. Unless we are crack heads and then the police show up by the dozens.

You sure can't depend upon most LEOS. Most, meaning 99.9%, are way too narcissistic aka in love with themselves and their power, to ever be taken seriously.

Heck about 10 years ago there was a car flipped over near my place, this was before 911. Concerned, I called the State Police around midnight to report the accident. A trooper showed up the following morning around 9:00 am, his exact words were.... "Gosh, I sure hope there ain't anybody underneath that thing."! Not much has changed since then!


I am going to look at infra red camera systems soon. I'm going to have to budget the money for some kind of system.

That's an excellent idea, get a good pic of the scumbag.


~Martin

[AlchemyAcres]

The best defense against 'bumping' is a good lock inside.



~Martin

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I'm amazed the cops didn't show, that's unheard of here! The call is on tape, and heads would roll, if it wasn't responded to!

DM

This is on that subject, not the break-in at GDs, so forgive me. But last week some idiot left a message on the cell phone at 2am. It was an apparent gang member trying to call opposing gang member, but he dialed the wrong number. He gave his street name, and where he would be between one and five the next afternoon if this other person wanted to meet with him. And he said things that I would never imagine nor have never heard in my life. He even talked about putting a gun in someone's mouth. He talked and rapped about his 4pound privates and what he did to some HO with them. It was very threatening and filthy.

Next morning, we called Verizon who said to go to the police. So, I went to the county sheriff's dept. "No officer is available" was their response. They told me to go to the State's Atty office. So I hiked three blocks to the court house and up three flights of stairs to see the State's Atty. They wouldn't even listen to the evidence (phone call) because that was the police's job. I called back the sheriff's office. I told them the whole story about a wrong number again. FINALLY, I got to speak to a deputy. He didn't seem to think it was an issue because it was a wrong number. He finally told me to come back to the sheriff's dept, and he would listen to the message because I told him I was concerned that some gang member somewhere was going to kill another one.

Back three blocks to the police dept. They finally listened to the message and taped it. I doubt they ever followed up on it because it was a wrong number. It's so frustrating. I talked to six people before I finally got one to actually take the time to listen to it. It was horrible. It obviously wasn't meant to me or my family (I don't even live in that town, I'm sixty miles south of there). Someone was threatening to do evil to other people. That kid belongs in jail or at least in court if he talks that way to other people. What if that message had reached the right number and there had been a shooting at the mall?

Sometimes police can be frustratingly lazy. The deputy who finally listened and taped the message was great. But I don't have a lot of good things to say about the first five people I spoke to about it. I kept trying to impress to them that it was bad, but only one would even take the time to listen to it. I hope they followed up on it. It was a "restricted" number, but Verizon said they would trace it if the police would get a warrant for it. And the kid actually gave his street name and location on the message.

[Catalpa]

GoodDaughter, I'm so glad you had only a scare, and nothing more serious. Not even the countryside is safe these days...last summer my storage shed was broken into and I lost a lot of good stuff, I'm still fighting with the insurance company over it.

More motion dectecting lights is a good move, and a well-positioned game camera might be a good idea, too. Glad you were prepared with the dog and the gun!

I hope and pray you have no more incidents!

[Anon001]

GoodDaughter,

I, too, am glad it worked out the way it did. I would keep calling the police or sheriff's department (whichever you have). If they don't give you an answer, go a step higher. You seriously need this documented. That way if you do have to defend yourself by shooting someone, you have recorded proof that it was a last resort and that it is a repeated problem and you have the records to show it. If they won't come out, go to them and tell them you want a police report filed.

Lee, There really isn't much they can do based on your phone call.

The Supreme Court made a ruling awhile back. I want to say it was within in the last year or two. Someone sued their police department because of them being a victim in a crime and the police didn't prevent it. The Supreme Court ruled that it is NOT the job of law enforcement officers or agencies to keep a citizen safe. They stated that the police are enforce the law and take measures when someone violates law but, that they are NOT required to protect or defend.

[NCLee]

Lee, There really isn't much they can do based on your phone call.


???

Lee

[rAcErRicK]

The best defense against 'bumping' is a good lock inside.



~Martin

Now there's a brain that works ! :meeting:

Only usable when you are on the inside (dead bolt) but in this case it would have been great !

Thanks Martin.

[rAcErRicK]

You sure can't depend upon most LEOS. Most, meaning 99.9%, are way too narcissistic aka in love with themselves and their power, to ever be taken seriously.

Heck about 10 years ago there was a car flipped over near my place, this was before 911. Concerned, I called the State Police around midnight to report the accident. A trooper showed up the following morning around 9:00 am, his exact words were.... "Gosh, I sure hope there ain't anybody underneath that thing."! Not much has changed since then!



That's an excellent idea, get a good pic of the scumbag.


~Martin

C'mon Martin, give him a break. A nine hour response time ain't so bad, for a paper route. :lazy2:

That's unreal.

[Anon001]

???

Lee

I meant that they do not have to respond unless there is a crime in progress or one has already been committed. In your case, there was no crime committed. With that said, I would keep that recording to give to the local news media if something should happen...

[rAcErRicK]

I meant that they do not have to respond unless there is a crime in progress or one has already been committed. In your case, there was no crime committed. With that said, I would keep that recording to give to the local news media if something should happen...

Agreed Paul. At least an attempt should have been made to lift prints, or to look for shoeprints. Surely there are some clues there that could be used if he should return, or even to be used on another case. Since this attempt was unsuccessful, I'd bet someone down the street took the hit. Or will. IMHO any report to LE should always contain the reminder, ON RECORD, that you are a constituent, and that you do vote.

[GoodDaughter]

............

[Catalpa]

That's unbelieveable, the way the cops are treating you! I'd be going up the chain of command and demand that they check the tapes for that night. Every 911 call is recorded. Sounds like you've run into a real attitude problem!

It seems like you're making some good adjustments to be more secure. Wouldn't it be neat if you could get some sort of exploding dye thing that would go off if he tried again? Let him explain that!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[TNDadx4]

This seems to be a help to better secure a bumpable lock. I'd be interested in seeing it in person. Also, there is a downside, it only works if you're home :(

Just a thought for late at night...

http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Lock_Jaw_p/10-16020-010.htm

[Paddy]

Back three blocks to the police dept. They finally listened to the message and taped it. I doubt they ever followed up on it because it was a wrong number. It's so frustrating. I talked to six people before I finally got one to actually take the time to listen to it. It was horrible. It obviously wasn't meant to me or my family (I don't even live in that town, I'm sixty miles south of there). Someone was threatening to do evil to other people. That kid belongs in jail or at least in court if he talks that way to other people. What if that message had reached the right number and there had been a shooting at the mall?

For the sort of scenario that was described in the voicemail, I can tell you what a cynical LEO would do. He / she would think, "one gangbanger is going to knock off another gangbanger... we got a win-win situation here". I say that as someone who once did the necessary training for LEO employment (decided to join the Army instead though). Cynicism is rampant in LEO work, for better or for worse.

---Paddy

[Paddy]

This seems to be a help to better secure a bumpable lock. I'd be interested in seeing it in person. Also, there is a downside, it only works if you're home :(

Just a thought for late at night...

http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Lock_Jaw_p/10-16020-010.htm

That looks very handy. I think I may order one for my current place.

It would also be an excellent addition to a really good door- the kind that take more than a few taps to break open. ;)

http://www.wooddoorsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/solid-wood-door-4455at.jpg

[Bones]

Buy this a your local home store. No tools needed and can be taken with you when you move. Easy to use I have two in the house and easy to remove when you need to get out the door in a hurry. Slides right under the door knob. For those handy you could make one real easy as well.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=202346-382-265D&lpage=none



http://images.lowes.com/product/071649/071649218224.jpg

[NCLee]

They really do work!

A friend runs a thrift shop. I worked there for a while. He uses one of those at the front door, padlocks the back door when he leaves. One morning when we opened up, discovered that someone had tried to kick in the front door. Footprints on the door and some damage to the frame. But they didn't get in! It appeared that whoever it was kicked that door until they got tired or broke their foot. Hope it was the latter, BTW.

Lee