When the crime reporter becomes the victim.

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Synopsis for those hesitant to click on a blind link:

A female media reporter who covers crime stories finds herself at home when a man cases her home for a more-than-likely burglary. She outlines what steps she could have taken to make her home less appealing to burglars (this one does not make entry.)

What I thought from the OP's title was that someone reporting a crime became a victim while, or after, doing so.
 
Apartment living.....

It's good the reporter & her little dog were unhurt in the incident, but it brings out a few points. More so for renters or people who live in condos.
To be alert and vigilant is smart, ;) .
To keep the porch or front door area clear is good. Having lights & CCTV cameras is worth it.
People looking for new apartments or homes should visit the property both in the day and the night; 1000pm, 1200am, etc.
What the building or complex is like in the daytime may be vastly different at night, :uhoh: .
Be friendly and open with your neighbors too. They can help you & be a "force multiplier" for safety & security issues. You don't have to be a busy body or nosy but be aware of the cars, people, movers/delivery etc.
Doing security work in apt complexes, condos, HOAs, I've found; PIs, narcotics deputies/task force agents, Deputy US Marshals, exes/stalkers, etc.
Some were not happy about being IDed but oh well. :D
 
The take away here is every one can improve thier perimeter security. I would also suggest that we as a group could help more people we know by sharing our knowledge.
 
It's hard sometimes to help folks who already have their minds made up.
If you say "I'm a Reporter" my mind immediately reads "Political Activist with a byline."
I'm glad She wasn't hurt, but that doesn't mean her mind has been opened.
 
Flyers on the door is my personal pet peeve. I complained to my apartment complex manager about them once- she responded that the flyers were left by a church group and they were not a threat. It’s difficult to understand how someone could make it alive into adulthood with that level of cluelessness.
 
Pro active.....

I agree with the last post, but the big point is to be pro active before you move into a property or rent a new unit.
New renters or people moving(especially young single women :uhoh: ) need to inspect the units/town homes, ask the mgmt about security or off duty LE officers(courtesy officers). Ask if DV or CCTV units are available. Ask if packages or deliveries can be made to the rental or manager's office.
Read the Yelp.com or online customer reviews before you sign any leases.

My property is in a decent area but has a few vagrants & street people who drift in/out. A few poke through the trash bins too. :mad:
I've asked my property mgr to post signs & install a few DV cameras but she refuses. She hires a few off duty cops & thinks that's good enough. :rolleyes:
 
Personal likes and dislikes aside, it IS apparent that she both learned something about the encounter and about herself:

"I’d always thought my job made me hyper-aware of my surroundings, that I was somehow safer than others because I was more careful.

On Tuesday morning, I realized I had been naive."

And she did post some very valuable, common sense precautions that people should take.
 
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