[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by dillywho

The SO will come to your home and make security suggestions (no charge). One of the things the deputy who came to our house told us to do, is to simply put a small dowel in the track above the slider. The dowel rides along the track, which prevents anyone from lifting the door from the track. He showed me how the door could be lifted out even with a board blocking the bottom track. Can't be done with the dowel on top. Do both.

I let at least one of my neighbors know when I am going to be gone, especially any length of time or if we are both going.

Don't tell people via your answering machine that you're not home or post plans on social media. I keep my landline forwarded to my cell phone (for various reasons) and people don't know that I am not home. Most times, I am here.



Please don't put your trash out early! A guy down the street from us was broken into several years ago because he put his trash out on Friday for Monday pickup. Arrange to have a neighbor set your trash out on trash day. We even "share" trash with some so it looks like someone is in town.

You can "share" your driveway when you're gone, too.

We do have an alarm system that also serves as medical, etc., as well. The only way someone would know it is here is when it is breached. The siren is deafening! You want the element of surprise and don't want them in your house in the first place.

I stopped a young man on a bicycle going up and down the driveways one day and asked if I could help him. He explained to me that he was checking the electric meters and showed me what he was doing. Remember, vigilance was what caught the package-swiping thief last week.

Make it a point to go outside several times a day for something, even if you just walk around the house checking the yard/landscaping/and what's going on. Residential activity is pretty deterrent to criminals. If you see something that just doesn't look/feel right, ask questions or make a call. Law enforcement won't mind coming out and their presence at various times is pretty good insurance.

all good advice...never heard of the dowel, will get that!!