I think my house just got probed for burglary

"Eric, get me the number to ADT. We're upgrading our system."

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Alarm or not, your handgun possessed by someone willing to use it was your best defense.

Alarms are a *joke* and TV ads that promote them are an insult to the intelligence and common sense of those who possess it. Alarms won't "protect" you from anything, no matter what ADT or any of the other shysters might say. Having a major caliber weapon and the mental ability to use it if necessary is the best defense.

Important Note: Burglars and robbers know how long it takes from the time an alarm is activated until the Police arrive, and plan their stay accordingly. Alarms are also easily disabled. Seldom do they work when they need to.

Anecdote: A bus load of (insert your choice of politically correct, government-concocted name for illegal aliens from south of the US border) dismounted from their vehicle and invaded a BP gas station/convenience store, stealing everything in-sight. The BP clerk pushes the Robbery alarm and watches for the next *25-minutes* while various police agencies drove thru the area (the BP was located on a border road shared by four police agencies and was one of the heaviest patrolled roads in my county). The alarm company finally notified the agency having primary jurisdiction and the thieves were corralled until US Customs could be contacted.

A sign does just as much good if not more than an alarm system, and is far cheaper.

Big Steve, you were right! If they were legal, you would think they would advertize! A good rep is the lifes blood of any business! Most sales people wear their company logo, and have a card. Who knows you may just help solved some crimes, you might want to inform your local PD. At the very least they will check into them!

Yeah, I thought about calling the cops later on that day. I dunno why it didn't occur to me to do so right away.

Next time...

Signage.

Yep, definitely needs some signage.

I don't answer the door if I smell solicitor. Our dogs are noisy when someone walks up, but they don't have to know that our pups are merely shouting "pet me! Pet ME!".

As we live out in the country, there aren't many door-to-door solicitors, and I'm glad of that.

"Alarms are a joke and seldom work" -- Really??

Kevin Rohrer:

Alarms are a *joke* and TV ads that promote them are an insult to the intelligence and common sense of those who possess it. Alarms won't "protect" you from anything, no matter what ADT or any of the other shysters might say. Having a major caliber weapon and the mental ability to use it if necessary is the best defense.

Important Note: Burglars and robbers know how long it takes from the time an alarm is activated until the Police arrive, and plan their stay accordingly. Alarms are also easily disabled. Seldom do they work when they need to.

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I beg to differ. Lethal force should be a last resort as a backup to an alarm system (and other security measures), not in lieu of an alarm system.

When I was in the alarm biz (in the '80s, and not with ADT), and a member of a state-wide professional crime prevention association, we prevailed upon the local sheriff's depts. and PDs to not advocate "silent" alarms. They wanted "silent" (monitored, but with no audible alarm) so they'd have a better chance of catching the perps in the act. Our policy was that life safety was paramount and an audible alarm would make the perps leave more quickly.

The LEOs saw it our way when we pointed out that an audible exterior alarm (together with a flashing exterior light) would draw the attention of neighbors, who could then get a description of the suspects, and that would lead to arrests.

It was our belief (and it still is my belief) that burglars know this also, and don't want to hang around once the audible alarm goes off, no matter how long they know it'll take the cops to actually arrive.

Whenever we installed an alarm system, we went around and talked with the neighbors, requesting that, should they hear and see their neighbor's alarm go off, they observe persons and vehicles around the home.
And Yes, talking to the neighbors also generated additional sales.

Of course, had we knocked on the doors of some of you here, many of you would have refused to come to the door (which you'd have a perfect right to do) and some of you might have pulled guns on us for having the temerity to come to your door without an appointment. And some of you (like Kevin, quoted above) would apparently rather shoot a burglar than deter him in the first place.

BTW, our systems were not "easily disabled"; they were hard-wired component systems tailored to the particular application, tamper-resistant and difficult to defeat, not cheap one-size-fits-all wireless systems.

I once was outside at my house in rural NC when two guys drove up with a freezer chest in the back of their small very wore out truck, no logos or company name on it. While I heard them coming up my driveway I grabbed my 1911 out of my truck tucked it in the front of my pants. BTW they passed a no trespassing sign at the end of my driveway. When they pulled up and got out I grabbed the gun without drawing it and asked what they wanted. Were here selling premium meat. One guy asked whats up with the gun? I said well your trespassing and I don't put up with trespassers. They told me that they had sold here before which was a lie, no other houses around and I built the one I am in now. I asked where they were from and they told me TN. I said the best thing you two can do is leave and I better not see you again(never taken my hand off the gun). Was I being cased? Who knows? Am I hard A--, maybe so but I enjoy my privacy and my families safety. The guys left and I have not seen them in five years.

Let's not let one misstep remove the validity of his post. The fact is your alarm won't save you, your gun will. I'd take a single shot .22 over the best alarm system money can buy, any day of the year.

Really? Racial slurs on THR?

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It wasn't meant as a racial slur, just describing their immigration status (I.e. illegal aliens from south of the border). I edited my post.

Re: Alarms

And for that earlier poster who think that hiding in a house with alarm is the right thing to do, audible alarms are useless in the country or in areas where people mind their own business (I.e. don't want to get involved). I can cite far too many examples of people seeing a problem next door and not taking reasonable action.

I always shake my head at people who have drank the alarm company Kool-Aid and think they're only "safe" when hiding behind locked doors and an alarm. They are probably quite safe, but not because of locks or alarms. This ain't Iraq. For most of us, "safety" is as much a state-of-mind as it is a state-of-reality, and most of us are far safer in our homes and communities than we sometimes imagine. But neither locks nor alarms will keep a determined criminal out.

In fact, the only alarm I have seen that consistently works are fire alarms, and that's only after the fire has gotten bad enough that it melts the wiring and triggers the alarm when it shorts out.

Good point, and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you too! =)

Amen.

Sometimes *I'm* the person you're suspicious of. I do property tax assessing. I'm self-employed, so my uniform this time of year is the warmest clothes I can find, which includes a warm hat that covers my ears.

The plan is, I come up to the door, ring the doorbell, introduce myself, leave my card, verify the info on your property (which is most likely unchanged since I saw it last year), and get out of your hair.

The reality is, you don't have a doorbell, or your doorbell doesn't work. I knock on the door, but you're 50' feet away past several walls and closed doors. So I stand there a few moments, then make my notes, update my photograph, and we surprise each other when you come out to get the mail. Then you get mad.

Extra points if no door is accessible without going through three feet of snow... except the garage door. It's like a car lives there, but a person doesn't. DOUBLE extra points for the people who have the doorbell mounted inside the open garage, so we can scare each other spitless when I ring it.

Let's all make sure that everyone coming up to our houses on legitimate business has a clear means to announce themselves. Get a doorbell that works, and have signs showing where it is if it's not in the most obvious place. Then we can focus on the people who ignore those means.

whanson_wi: "DOUBLE extra points for the people who have the doorbell mounted inside the open garage, so we can scare each other spitless when I ring it."

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WOW! You reminded me of this: I bought a house in a mostly rural area on 18 acres with the nearest house about 500’ away - the rest are considerably further away. Our new-to-us house had 2 doorbells; one at the front door and the other inside the garage next to the house/garage entry door and none at the back door!

A lot of folks out this way seem to have the same setup. I would never do this because I don’t want a stranger entering my garage without my permission or presence there. This also gives a burglar an out by saying, “It must have been okay to go into the garage because the owner put a bell there for people to use to announce their presence and I was just about to ring the bell when I got caught.”

This is not hypothetical, it actually happened to us, luckily without harm to persons or property. The bell has since been removed and the garage door is rarely left open unless the garage is occupied. BTW, I also installed a “driveway alert” inside the garage as a safeguard for those rare times when the door is left open and unattended.

Without the bell, entry into an open garage can be construed to be a burglary just like an open window or door is not an invitation to enter a person’s home or business without consent.

entry into an open garage can be construed to be a burglary

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That wouldn't meet the traditional (common law) definition of burglary.

No "breaking."

W.E.G.: “That wouldn't meet the traditional (common law) definition of burglary.”

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Sorry, I don’t deal in common law; I use the State of Florida Substantive Statutes.

To wit: 810.02 Burglary - (1) “Burglary” means entering or remaining in a structure or a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter or remain.
(2) and (3) define what degree of felony it is.

810.07 Prima facie evidence of intent -
In a trial on a charge of burglary; proof of the entering such structure or conveyance at any time and without the consent of the owner or occupant thereof shall be prima facie evidence of entering with the intent to commit an offense.

I don’t know where you are from, but when you are in my State you better stay the hell out of my garage unless you are invited or it’s off to the calaboose. Solicitors may want to take note to keep yourselves out of trouble.

No "breaking" - Oh yeah, the old statures in my State used to define burglary as "breaking and entering or entry without break - breaking did not mean forcing one's way into a structure, but breaking "the seal" or the plain of the interior of the structure. Again - Therefore an open window, door or garage is not an invitation to enter.

Maybe you can share your State's "common law" or substantive statutes with us?

Deleted - Posted in error.

A friend bought an ADT sign at a garage sale for a dollar and put it out by his mail box. His theory is that it will make his house look like it has an alarm system and the appearance of having an alarm is every bit as effective as actually having one when it comes to deterring burglars. This should be enough to deter anyone looking for a random house to break into because the neighbors on either side don't have a sign. If the thieves are looking for an easy target they will probably pick one of the neighbors instead. That is about the extent of the usefullness of home alarms anyway. If they really want to come in they will. No loud beep will stop a determined home invader but it will stop the vast majority of potential day thieves who want to get in and out quietly without confrontation while you are away.

WOW! You reminded me of this: I bought a house in a mostly rural area on 18 acres with the nearest house about 500’ away - the rest are considerably further away. Our new-to-us house had 2 doorbells; one at the front door and the other inside the garage next to the house/garage entry door and none at the back door!

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Out here in the country where visitors are few, MANY people don't use their front doors, and even block them off in the winter. They enter and exit thru the garage and that's why they have an inside-the-garage doorbell, just as I do.

My rule-of-thumb at home is to leave the garage door open in good weather until night; people are welcome to ring either door bell. After dark, they need to come to the front door. What few strangers we get always come to the front door, though.

A friend bought an ADT sign at a garage sale for a dollar and put it out by his mail box.

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Which is just as effective as an alarm, while being far cheaper and can never malfunction. Let the paranoid delusional waste their money on the real thing and perpetuate the myth that alarms protect people.

Kevin Rohrer: “Out here in the country where visitors are few, MANY people don't use their front doors, and even block them off in the winter. They enter and exit thru the garage and that's why they have an inside-the-garage doorbell, just as I do.

My rule-of-thumb at home is to leave the garage door open in good weather until night; people are welcome to ring either door bell. After dark, they need to come to the front door. What few strangers we get always come to the front door, though.”

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Well, good for you! It’s your house and it’s your rules. (Where have I heard that before? ) I have no dog in this fight. If you want strangers to have access to your garage and it’s contents (Mine has power tools, manual tools, both riding and push mowers, diagnostic instruments, etc.) and cover from other eyes for the opportunity to enter your home unobserved then have at it.

As for me you better stay the hell out of my garage or I will prosecute as the State laws allow . Forewarned is forearmed - there is no doorbell in my garage so you can’t use that as a defense.

Out here in the country where visitors are few, MANY people don't use their front doors, and even block them off in the winter. They enter and exit thru the garage and that's why they have an inside-the-garage doorbell, just as I do.

My rule-of-thumb at home is to leave the garage door open in good weather until night; people are welcome to ring either door bell. After dark, they need to come to the front door. What few strangers we get always come to the front door, though.

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I hope those who do have attached garages have quality doors and locks in their garage house-door and lock them as well. You'd be surprised how many homeowners have good solid front doors with deadbolts they lock, but have inferior house-to-garage doors which they often forget to lock, or leave unlocked on purpose. Most burglars know to check your garage door as many homeowners leave them unlocked, thinking that since it's out of sight, out of mind.

If it's a door to your house whether a front door, back door, side door, garage door, etc: make sure it's a good door, good frame, good locks, and use them.

I look at alarms as just one more link in the armor of home/self security.
True,it will notify a monitoring company whose minimum wage employees might respond correctly and follow instructions but way too many times I have been knocked out of bed at 3:00 a.m. by these same morons monitoring the alarm of the commercial buildings I have operated only to find they did not follow the procedures we instructed them to follow.
And this has gone on for years for me as I am on call 24/7 and dealing with numerous alarm companies.
All that being said I also believe just a mere window sticker and sign of an alarm MAY deter some with felony intentions but not all.
But an alarm wont stop a crime at all if they are experienced enough to know time is really on their side.
They certainly are nice to have if you are in your house during an intrusion.
I work with people daily who live in very affluent neighborhoods and they all have alarms but the door frames are not reinforced and most of the front doors have decorative glass panes that could easily be knocked out to enter the residence,although a swift kick on the flimsy front door would do the same thing.
There are a lot of people with nice things inside their homes that are not nearly as secure as their minds believe they are.
You know "I live in a nice neighborhod" and all that jazz.
Strong doors with reinforced jams,steel burglar bars,a good reliable dog,an alarm system,and a good gun backed up by a vigilant home owner that means business all help here.

Sometimes *I'm* the person you're suspicious of. I do property tax assessing. I'm self-employed, so my uniform this time of year is the warmest clothes I can find, which includes a warm hat that covers my ears.

The plan is, I come up to the door, ring the doorbell, introduce myself, leave my card, verify the info on your property (which is most likely unchanged since I saw it last year), and get out of your hair.

The reality is, you don't have a doorbell, or your doorbell doesn't work. I knock on the door, but you're 50' feet away past several walls and closed doors. So I stand there a few moments, then make my notes, update my photograph, and we surprise each other when you come out to get the mail. Then you get mad.

Extra points if no door is accessible without going through three feet of snow... except the garage door. It's like a car lives there, but a person doesn't. DOUBLE extra points for the people who have the doorbell mounted inside the open garage, so we can scare each other spitless when I ring it.

Let's all make sure that everyone coming up to our houses on legitimate business has a clear means to announce themselves. Get a doorbell that works, and have signs showing where it is if it's not in the most obvious place. Then we can focus on the people who ignore those means.

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Just because you THiNK you have business with me or someone says you do does not mean you are welcome on my property. I catch anyone on the property without my permission I am rude well in most folks eyes anyhow... Stay out unless I invite you, I have phone and mail for those who think they have legitimate right to access me or my land ... For you to go beyond the front door is not very acceptable n could get ya shot...