[ajbrown]

I just received an email from a neighbor about a break in very close to our home. I have taken out all names to protect the emailers. I debated whether to post this or not, but I think it is a good reminder that even in safe places we need to be alert. It is too bad no one noticed some "abnormal" activity at the house. FYI, Murphys Estates is a street off of Odell in Mallory.

***, I am sending this to you because I think that you have the email list of residents for our neighborhood. One of the Villas in Madison off of Murphys Estate was broken into last week. Seems as if the couple was called out of town for two days for a funeral and while they were gone, someone kicked in their front door and cleaned them out. All of their jewelry, electronics TVs computers etc. No one saw anything or heard anything. I think everyone should be extra vigilant. The house was one that backs up to our neighborhood.

This is the first break in I have heard about for quite some time, hopefully an anomaly. Our house has been empty for months. The only protection we have is a security system we have used for years. The thieves look inside and say "They ain't got nothing, lets keep going".

[jeanniec]

This a.m. a nicely dressed woman in a red jeep (others were in car). spoke to my neighbor. she was holding a book (perhaps a bible). asked him about his wife, but he did not know these people. and nothing was wrong with his wife for them to be asking.
I enformed him that they may be casing the place out and asking about wife to find out how many people live there. Just a thought.
my neighbor is calling the police to inform them just to be safe. this is the springdale neighborhood.

[batman911]

It is probably no accident that someone knew the people were out of town. Everyone needs to be careful not to say anything about being away from home to vendors, etc. I once visited my local bank branch to pick up a little cash before we went on vacation and, in general conversation with the teller, mentioned that I was going on vacation. Well, someone tried to remove a window from my kitchen bay window (even though it does not open) while we were away. I do not recall telling anyone else that we were leaving town. The bank teller would certainly have access to your address and telephone number. I also had employed a trusted house watcher to water my plants while I was gone. She had a key to the house to check on the inside and we had used her several times before without incident.

[Tom Hannon]

How many of us (me included) announce when we are going away on TOTV. This is a habit we should avoid. What we are doing is advertising when we are away. It happens when people read the obits and know when people are away at the wake and funeral. WE should all be quiet about our our vacations and out of sate visits. PS: How much does a decent alarm system cost. Don't need central station. With the houses so close, the alarm itself will warn neighbors of a breakin.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by jeanniec

This a.m. a nicely dressed woman in a red jeep (others were in car). spoke to my neighbor. she was holding a book (perhaps a bible). asked him about his wife, but he did not know these people. and nothing was wrong with his wife for them to be asking.
I enformed him that they may be casing the place out and asking about wife to find out how many people live there. Just a thought.
my neighbor is calling the police to inform them just to be safe. this is the springdale neighborhood.

Hi Jeannjec,
I applaud you for posting this, and for encouraging your neighbor to call the police. Crime is low in TV but it can happen. I think we all have a hand in keeping our communities safe (whether TV or elsewhere) by being vigilant, looking out for neighbors and not hesitating to report suspicious activities.

I see that this is your first post, so . I hope it's the first of many!

[ajbrown]

No stranger need to know your plans....

When we first bought our home, we were naturally excited. We had so much to get done as we would only be there a few weeks. I heard my wife tell someone (warranty, lawn, furniture, I cannot remember who) we needed to schedule the appointment by such and such as we would be gone after that.

Working in computer security for a hunk of my life, my reaction was

I do however know quite a few neighbors and trust them. We all keep an eye on each other as best we can. It is too bad that no one saw anything out of the ordinary here. To "clean out" a house requires a car at least I would think. Our neighbors are the closets things we have to gates in TV.

[duffysmom]

My neighbor told me that she was leaving town and did not want to include the dates in an email since she felt it was not wise to broadcast her absence. Wise lady... In my neighborhood we watch out for each other. I was away recently and when new service people I hired came by my neighbor was right there to check it out. One good neighbor is worth a dozen security watch people.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

One good neighbor is worth a dozen security watch people.

So true.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

How many of us (me included) announce when we are going away on TOTV. This is a habit we should avoid. What we are doing is advertising when we are away. It happens when people read the obits and know when people are away at the wake and funeral. WE should all be quiet about our our vacations and out of sate visits. PS: How much does a decent alarm system cost. Don't need central station. With the houses so close, the alarm itself will warn neighbors of a breakin.

People also need to be very careful what they put on any social internet site, not just TOTV. Criminals are now monitoring Facebook, Twitter etc for information.

[BlueHeronFan]

I was told one time that the "Stop Mail" form was not a good thing to do (though still do it). Tells the wrong kind of people when gone and when returning all on one little yellow card.

Always better to have a neighbor pick the mail up for you while on vacation etc.

[Boudicca]

I have been collecting an absent neighbor's newspapers which were collecting in their driveway. A sure indicator that no-one is home, and in a neighborhood still under construction - many trucks, strangers, vendors and the like constantly up and down the street.

[askcarl]

Stop mail can be done over the internet. www.usps.com right side, mail delivery options. works great.