[robertj1954]

I am a retired LEO (still new to TV having moved here a month ago from Tampa) and wish to share my opinion on why it is a bad idea to not secure your home. We at TV are blessed with a wonderful community with good people, which makes it easy to assume there is no need for home security. However, that would be a mistake.

There are hundreds of service people coming and going every day in TV. There will always be a few willing and capable of breaking into a home or car that is unattended or not secured if the opportunity exists.

A dog is a good alarm system when you are home. But the dog cannot be left inside a home when you are away for an extended period of time. Having good deadbolt locks on exterior doors and windows will discourage would be intruders when you are away or at night when you are asleep. Most burglars operate on opportunity.

Have a procedure at night where you physically check each door to ensure they are locked and the garage door is down. Leave a light on at night so there is some light inside the home.

TV provides a home check service during times when you are gone for an extended period. A good neighbor policy is helpful with everyone keeping an eye out for anything unusual or suspicious. Let your neighbors know when you be away and don’t be shy about calling Community Watch and report suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

Cancel newspaper subscriptions when away for a weekend or longer. Piled up newspapers in the driveway alerts strangers to the fact you are not home. If you see your neighbor’s papers piling up in the driveway, please have it checked it could be a sign there is a problem.

Alarm systems can help in securing your home. Just remember you have to stay on top of maintenance issues with alarms. Nuisance alarms can be costly with alarm fines, if TV has a nuisance alarm policy, most Sheriffs Offices do have false alarm policies.