[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Medtrans

How many Community Watch patrols are there at any given time?

We have seen the Watch cars at least twice a day in our neighborhood, maybe more. They can approach and question and call the sheriff but maybe you should just call the sheriff. If you see something, say something.

We are mostly retired and moving around this town with cell phones with cameras....if you see someone walking between the houses or someone who doesn't look like a umm...retired person and out of place cruising by or doing something even a tad suspicicous, TAKE THEIR PICTURE and call the sheriffs non emergency line or... That is how the last two were caught. A bug spray guy called it in. He saw two guys in an old car and one was going behind someone's house. Bug sprayer is a young guy and was featured in the online news and some folks sent him a little cash for his efforts.

Most of these have occurred in broad daylight. These guys know WHEN the people leave. They either have been in the homes and have seen a calendar, or some other commonality. There were two that occurred in the same 24 hour span and both people had just left for Canada. Taxi driver? Someone who knows someone who tells someone???

[Medtrans]

Thanks for the tip to just have our first names on our outdoor sign. We are going to order ours next Thurs when we come for our visit.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

There is something that residents do, and I would like to believe it is done out of ignorance.

Most of the houses have residents' name on the little sign in the front of their house. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but the fact of the matter is those who have their last name on the sign is really making it easy these thieves. They see your full name. They look you up in the phone book. They call your number. You aren't home. Ta-Da! Guess what?

The same is true of your phone number. The thieves pick a random phone number. Often the resident leaves their full name. Why? Just leave your phone number. Your friends know whom they're calling. Anyone else can leave a message, anyway. Same scenario. These bad guys have your name and phone number. They look you up in the phone book or get on the Internet and get your address from the tax rolls. Or -- they already have your name, address and phone number because they've looked you up in the phone book (yeah -- this is easier for them). Ta-Da! Guess what? Same thing as above.

TV residents have to smarten up. We all are a target. Don't put yourself in a position where you could be next.

Let's all switch signs with each other! That should confuse the bad guys.

[asianthree]

Does anyone use the steal bar that goes against the door. We had one in Boston . Would that help?

[Miles42]

Originally Posted by AJ32162

I could be wrong, but I don't think burglary qualifies as a "social support program".

I agree.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by FLSun

There are special penalties for violations in drug free and gun free school zones. Let's get Florida to create laws that apply to crimes against people over 55. No posting bail and long prison terms. Air conditioning not required.

Why create laws for people over 55 ? Everyone needs the protection and sense of security to know that the lowlife can't post bail and will go to prison.

[MSGirl]

I agree with GracieGirl regarding stiffer penalties for crimes committed. I lived in a bedroom community amongst one of the largest crime filled small cities, and the largest crime reported was for barking dogs. There was a robbery at the local McDonalds, and that criminal received the maximum penalty by law for his crime. The mayor wanted to send a message to criminals that she wouldn't tolerate criminal activity in her town. They got the message loud and clear.
On another note, we don't have key deadbolt locks on our doors, and the doors are not strong enough to keep criminals out- in my opinion. Change all the locks on doors to a more secure lock. Add security systems. Make it harder for the perpetrator. Neighborhood watch groups are good too.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Oh, please!
This thread is NOT about those who have had a rough life.
It's the haves versus the have nots.
We are speaking about criminals!

Thank you for saying what I was thinking .... I will just add "give us a break" with the poor unfortunate stuff. This is about burglary and crime.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

snipped

One of my next door neighbors is a snowbird. They are here for the winter and come and go during the warmer months. They have never mentioned to us when they are leaving or when they will be coming back. They are very foolish because we neighbors could be their watchdogs.

snipped

So glad I live where I do! We neighbors watch out for each other and the homes when anyone so much as leaves to do an errand! And no one had to be asked to do that! I love my neighbors!

[Irishmen]

Originally Posted by Medtrans

Thanks for the tip to just have our first names on our outdoor sign. We are going to order ours next Thurs when we come for our visit.

This is a good theory however the hole is they could just look up your address on govt website and get even more info than a phonebook.

[rubicon]

I suppose most of you have seen that U-Tube video where the mind reader searches the mind of a number of individuals and to the letter he gets every bit of their private information and more than that accurately.

Then the surprise the mind reader actually went on their facebook and found all that information..People keep screaming about their privacy but yet go about giving information about themselves freely. People can get more from face book then the NSA does with meta data and people scream. Yet the NSA's meta data is protecting our national security

[Rickg]

If you allow people/contractors in your home you need to be vigilant of what is left out (visible). Don't Let them know you are on a regular schedule, or that you are seasonal. We don't have a land line. Be careful of the boxes you put out for the trash. These are just a few things. Yes, it's sad that we need to do this but it is a fact of life. We are easier targets than a 25 yr old. So we need to use common sense. Most of the people that break into your home are looking For a quick easy profitable target. The harder you make it the more likely they will pass on your home, unless they know it Will be very profitable.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Does anyone use the steal bar that goes against the door. We had one in Boston . Would that help?

I don't think it really matters.
If they can't break in the door, they certainly can break in a window or sliding door.
These bad guys have too many choices!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

So glad I live where I do! We neighbors watch out for each other and the homes when anyone so much as leaves to do an errand! And no one had to be asked to do that! I love my neighbors!

What you are describing is the way it should be.
I have no idea what our next door neighbor's problem is,
but they are very private regarding their comings and goings.
None of the other neighbors here are like that, thankfully.
We do try to take care of and watch out for one another.

[Shimpy]

Hurricane code here is not as strict as Dade County codes in Miami. There, all outside doors must open out.......not in as my door is here. Opening out makes the inside push of the door not only supported by the latch, but by the entire frame. You won't kick in a door that opens out.