There are certain thoughts and realities that come to light when one experiences a burglary like I did this week. The what if's pop up every other minute counting down the possibilities.
 |
| Door damaged during home invasion |
My Experience with a Burglary
I came home from work like I always do, unlocking the door and stepping in to greet my animals. I was tired, but happy that I had a good night. This time, I stopped in shock as my door crept open too easy and the frame fell in upon the unlocking of the deadbolt. I thought to myself the cats must have really wanted to get out....no wait! Oh, dear God, no! I've been broken into. The robber had set the frame back in place slightly to mimic a complete closure. My animals were all staring at me, puzzled. Two cat faces and one canine told the story of something that had gone down within the past couple of hours - or was it minutes? They knew who it was. If only they could talk.
I paced the home carefully knowing I needed to be cautious. I surveyed my rooms and cleared my home then assessed the missing objects and rooms violated. I called the police as soon as I made the round complete. "311 Operator, Hello! I've been robbed." She asked for my street address and told me that this was a report call so it might be awhile before I saw an officer.
I took an inventory and noticed my tv missing and the handful of change gone from my desk. The jewelry box that held sentimental items was taken. It held a few mementos of the past, but nothing of value. What a disappointment that is going to be when it is rifled. Too bad they had to take that. It had a ring my grandmother gave me that was Sarah Coventry. It was worthless to all but me.
I had to get the animals fed so I did the smart thing and put gloves on. The metro dispatcher had asked me not to touch anything until the investigators arrived. I obediently went about my business - dishing out cat and dog food then went to wait outside in my car. Thanks, dear dirt bag, I thought. A twelve-hour shift in a busy, congested city and I get to come home to this. Ah, such is life in the world we have been given.
I took an inventory and noticed my tv missing and the handful of change gone from my desk. The jewelry box that held sentimental items was taken. It held a few mementos of the past, but nothing of value. What a disappointment that is going to be when it is rifled. Too bad they had to take that. It had a ring my grandmother gave me that was Sarah Coventry. It was worthless to all but me.
I had to get the animals fed so I did the smart thing and put gloves on. The metro dispatcher had asked me not to touch anything until the investigators arrived. I obediently went about my business - dishing out cat and dog food then went to wait outside in my car. Thanks, dear dirt bag, I thought. A twelve-hour shift in a busy, congested city and I get to come home to this. Ah, such is life in the world we have been given.
The premises had to be looked over and fingerprinted. The door to the tv cabinet may give a clue and so might the door itself. Black dust was carefully feathered over surfaces and my fingerprints were taken to rule out my set.
My conclusion is this. Mind your area. Check your doors before you leave and when you come back again. A checklist below will help cover the areas in the home that need attention before and after vacating the premises.
If you have had a break in the ability to itemize the situation quickly helps the information relay to the officers who will be handling the report.
Extra precautions:
While the temperature of those who do deeds of this sort are heating up, we need to be extremely cautious everywhere we go, not just home. We need to be alert everywhere. I'm going to be a jumpy mess for a few days, but I am determined to enjoy my home, go about my life, and put this invasion behind me. I will be placing in motion additional precautions to keep me and my fur family safe. This is just a rocky moment in a daily grind and this too shall pass into moments I look back on. It will be a space in time I am grateful that none of my family members or myself were harmed.
If you have anything to add to this list, please mention the tips below in comments. Thank you for visiting!
My conclusion is this. Mind your area. Check your doors before you leave and when you come back again. A checklist below will help cover the areas in the home that need attention before and after vacating the premises.
- Doors Locked
- Windows Locked and barred
- Lights on somewhere in the home
- Security lights in order
- Security System Armed
- Valuables: Serial numbers recorded, item photographed, and an itemized list kept in safe place (safe deposit box or cloud file)
- Do not leave valuables in plain sight
- Scan area and see that nothing is out of place when you get home.
- Make a visual inspection of home to make sure there is no intruder
If you have had a break in the ability to itemize the situation quickly helps the information relay to the officers who will be handling the report.
What to do if your home has been burglarized
- Call police dispatch immediately. Use the non-emergency line Generally, 311
- Do Not Touch ANYTHING!
- Make a visual inspection of home to make sure there is no intruder
- Get you and your pets in a safe area until the investigators can finish their reports
- Make a quick survey and a list of things that are missing / damaged
- Let officers do their job so that the situation is handled efficiency.
After the report is made:
- Assess what can be done at the moment and clean up / straighten up areas that need attention
- Remove fingerprint dusting with a paper towel and cleaning agent.
- Call your insurance company / landlord and report the break-in
- Relax. Chances are the robbers may not be back.
- Install metal frame doors
- Security film on windows
- Install lighting everywhere
- Install peephole
- Video camera surveillance recording off property
- Flood lights activated by motion sensors
- Heavy duty locks and extra secure interior chains and slider locks
- Guard dog
- Firearm
Police Department Video on Home Burglary Prevention
The harder it is to get into your home, the more likely it will be to discourage a perpetrator from breaking in. They want a quick grab and go job. The longer it takes to get in the higher the likelihood of being caught.
BE AWARE -- EVERYWHERE!
If you have anything to add to this list, please mention the tips below in comments. Thank you for visiting!
More on preventing home invasion and burglary:
Amazon Shopping - Home Security
No comments:
Post a Comment
Guestbook - Comments & Review