Hot Prowler

[braumeister]

I assume it has wpa2 encryption capability?

Certainly, but that's a function of your router. Nest recommends using wpa2 exclusively.

 

[sheehs1]

My brother was a victim of a home invasion. Three guys busted his door in, entered his home with guns and were quite loud about it. I don't think they thought anyone was home. Multi level small home in a rural area so neighbors were not close. He was in the bedroom upstairs, ran out of his bedroom as these guys were coming up the stairs. They shot at him. He dove back into his bedroom, grabbed a rifle in his closet and came out shooting. He hit one in the hand. They turned, ran down the stairs and out. My brother called the police who alerted all the hospitals within an hours drive. The guy whose hand was shot went to an ER 30 minutes away. They caught everyone involved. My brother was tied up in court for 2 years and he suffered much anxiety. Needless to say he has his entire home monitored with video equipment and everything else imaginable.

Oh...and his dog...hid under the bed.

 

[Lsbcal]

...
My brother was tied up in court for 2 years and he suffered much anxiety. Needless to say he has his entire home monitored with video equipment and everything else imaginable.

Oh...and his dog...hid under the bed.

Quite a story, thanks. The court costs really alarm me. Lawyers are never cheap. DW would be a nervous wreck and I'd probably be not far behind that. This is a good advertisement for all of us to consider strong security even if it costs a few hundred dollars a year.

 

[MRG]

Quite a story, thanks. The court costs really alarm me. Lawyers are never cheap. DW would be a nervous wreck and I'd probably be not far behind that. This is a good advertisement for all of us to consider strong security even if it costs a few hundred dollars a year.

All depends on state laws. In some states if the investigation shows it was a legal use of force there can be no civil suits.

If you screw up, expect legal and civil fun.

 

[Sunset]

My brother was a victim of a home invasion. Three guys busted his door in, entered his home with guns and were quite loud about it. I don't think they thought anyone was home. Multi level small home in a rural area so neighbors were not close. He was in the bedroom upstairs, ran out of his bedroom as these guys were coming up the stairs. They shot at him. He dove back into his bedroom, grabbed a rifle in his closet and came out shooting. He hit one in the hand. They turned, ran down the stairs and out. My brother called the police who alerted all the hospitals within an hours drive. The guy whose hand was shot went to an ER 30 minutes away. They caught everyone involved. My brother was tied up in court for 2 years and he suffered much anxiety. Needless to say he has his entire home monitored with video equipment and everything else imaginable.

Oh...and his dog...hid under the bed.

I'm guessing this is being a witness/victim as the prosecutor charged the criminals and your brother went through the interview/discussion/statement/ process, then the actual court witness , cross-examination stuff.

Could you comment was it that or did the criminals actually think they could sue him and he needed a lawyer ?

 

[sheehs1]

Quite a story, thanks. The court costs really alarm me. Lawyers are never cheap. DW would be a nervous wreck and I'd probably be not far behind that. This is a good advertisement for all of us to consider strong security even if it costs a few hundred dollars a year.

I guess I should have explained his being tied up in court was due to his testifying for the Commonwealths Attorney who was prosecuting these guys. Things were delayed, delayed and delayed again by the court appointed attorneys for the intruders. I don't think my brother had direct legal fees, however it did take time away from him running his roofing company, which cost him money.

My brother considered himself lucky. He could have been shot and says to this day our mom, who had recently passed away, was watching over him.

 

[sheehs1]

I'm guessing this is being a witness/victim as the prosecutor charged the criminals and your brother went through the interview/discussion/statement/ process, then the actual court witness , cross-examination stuff.

Could you comment was it that or did the criminals actually think they could sue him and he needed a lawyer ?

Sunset, I replied and addressed this before I saw your question. See my reply above. You are correct. It was time consuming for him. So even if one is not suing the criminals or vice versa...it is a huge time suck for anyone involved in something like this.

And yes...my brother wanted the Commonwealths Attorney to press charges. And yes, they had to go thru all the evidence gathering such as the DNA from some blood left in the stairwell from the guys bleeding hand to prove they were the ones that entered his home. Bullet slug embedded in a hallway wall where they shot at him. Fingerprints on the door that was broken down. Stuff like that.

 

[Stratman]

My alarm system monitors the doors and there is glass breakage detectors as well. The backup is a Glock 23 with a laser sight. I won't shoot someone over stuff but I figure a red laser on them should be enough to scare the hell out of them without firing a shot; but if they insist, I'm ready.

 

[Pilot2013]

Here's the thing. At least in the state I had training in(MO) you can't use deadly force just for a break-in or robbery. You will go to prison!

Yep. Thank goodness I am in a state that respects right to self protection.

 

[brewer12345]

I guess I should have explained his being tied up in court was due to his testifying for the Commonwealths Attorney who was prosecuting these guys. Things were delayed, delayed and delayed again by the court appointed attorneys for the intruders. I don't think my brother had direct legal fees, however it did take time away from him running his roofing company, which cost him money.

My brother considered himself lucky. He could have been shot and says to this day our mom, who had recently passed away, was watching over him.

Wow, that sucks. He is lucky to be alive.

Home invasions are pretty rare, though. Much more likely that if you are robbed it will be a lazy smash and grab type thing when nobody is home.

 

[Hermit]

The strange and curious story of the (last true) Maine hermit, a notorious non-violent offender.

The Strange & Curious Tale of the Last True Hermit | GQ

Interesting story. I don't think I can live up to the name in that definition of Hermit!

 

[Ronstar]

Home invasions are pretty rare, though. Much more likely that if you are robbed it will be a lazy smash and grab type thing when nobody is home.

I agree. There were several robberies in my area a couple of years ago. The sheriff's deputy said that the robbers knock on the door. If nobody answers, they break in.

My neighbor said he saw someone knocking on his front door and decided not to answer it. A security camera on the porch spooked the guy and he left in a hurry.

 

[brewer12345]

I agree. There were several robberies in my area a couple of years ago. The sheriff's deputy said that the robbers knock on the door. If nobody answers, they break in.

My neighbor said he saw someone knocking on his front door and decided not to answer it. A security camera on the porch spooked the guy and he left in a hurry.

I frequently do not answer the door when someone knocks since the door-to-door crowd tends to ignore the prominent "no solicitors" sign. I have a funny feeling that it isn't that hard to tell that someone is home, and for sure the dogs bark like crazy.

 

[sheehs1]

I frequently do not answer the door when someone knocks since the door-to-door crowd tends to ignore the prominent "no solicitors" sign. I have a funny feeling that it isn't that hard to tell that someone is home, and for sure the dogs bark like crazy.

I have a lot of windows both front and back, plus sidelight windows on my front door and full glass 5 foot closed patio door on the back with other windows. Point being I can see who is knocking. If I don't know them, I either don't answer (while my dog barks his head off) or go to the door mouth the word "No" from inside and wave them on. This is a no solicitation policy in my neighborhood as well. I only open it for friends or my mailman.

I guess all the windows and glass doors and sidelights can cut both ways. I have been told that invaders don't like houses that have glass around the door or glass doors or lots of windows but one could also say it makes it easier to break in. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[samclem]

I have been told that invaders don't like houses that have glass around the door or glass doors or lots of windows but one could also say it makes it easier to break in. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

It would definitely make it easier to break in (esp if you don't have and actually use double cylinder locks). Against a prying entry, the lights on the side usually provide less resistance than a wall with studs and decent sheathing or a shear panel. OTOH, an attack like that, esp through a front door visible from the street, is a fairly brazen approach.

 

[sheehs1]

It would definitely make it easier to break in (esp if you don't have and actually use double cylinder locks). Against a prying entry, the lights on the side usually provide less resistance than a wall with studs and decent sheathing or a shear panel. OTOH, an attack like that, esp through a front door visible from the street, is a fairly brazen approach.

That's my thought too regarding the front door and that it would be a brazen approach.
I posed the question because many years ago, an older couple up the street from me had a knock on their front door at night time when it was dark outside. The husband opened it because he could not see who it was (no sidelights). The robbers pushed their way in but luckily the husband managed to fend them off with his cane as the wife dialed 911. They were lucky and the robbers left. I was told then it was safer to have sidelights so one could see who is at your front door......if you happen to be home at the time I suppose... but I think it could go either way. I do use my sidelights in this manner...always checking when someone comes to my door.

And while I turned off my alarm monitoring, I still have the signs and the keypad is visible from the back door. It may be time for me to do something else. This thread has me thinking there is more I can do. While I could just turn on the monitoring again, reinstall the battery, I had my back door replaced that had the sensors for the hard wire and my crawl space has since been conditioned so I have no idea what they did with the wires there. A new wireless system may be best now.
Thanks for your input on this.

 

[Sunset]

There have been a few times when we didn't answer the door knock. Mostly it has been during the election, I never thought I could be inviting a break-in by pretending to not be home

I think I need an outside speaker, so I can just say "No thanks, too busy cleaning my gun and axes to come to the door right now"

I have come to the conclusion to NEVER answer the door at night, nobody should be working at that time.

 

[kimcdougc]

When I worked at a steak house at the age of 17, we were held up by 2 persons holding guns. Since that time, if you enter my house uninvited, you will answer with a 9mm bullet in your chest. Period. Both our kids know this and to call before coming to the house. They both have guns for their own safety too. They are adults and carry concealed weapons permits, as do I and DH. They do not live with use and both have their own homes.

You never know what you will do till you are in a situation like that. I do know what I would do. Just my 2 cents.

 

[HFWR]

If someone enters my home, they are greeted by a siren, and bright lights, mostly to alert them that I am aware of them. If they then decide to enter my locked bedroom, they will be greeted appropriately... No way will I give up my tactical advantage by wandering about the house in my boxers, though the resulting giggling and pointing might render them harmless...

 

[ronin]

Have you discussed this with the local constabulary? It might also be a good idea to put a game cam or two (and maybe a strategically placed conibear) in the areas that seem to be attractive to the burglar.

Had a pretty long talk with a deputy that came out Fri. He owns horse property a block away and knows the neighborhood very well. There is a household near him with a family of lowlifes, the kids have been arrested for burglary in the past.
There are transients that camp out down by the creek at the end of the block. He said one particular couple is suspected of making their bread by burglary, but they are suspected of being a daylight crew. The creek has a horse trail that connects with the San Gabriel river about a mile down. There are many homeless encampments there. I ride my bike all over the trails and it is creepy.
There's the skateboard park 1 lot away. Attracts druggies, he's seen drug activity there. They can get to neighbor between me and the park pretty easily and from there into my yard.
Other than that, it is all speculation. He thinks kids, local. I think maybe local, maybe kids, maybe a more experienced young adult.
He asked if I had a gun. He asked about dogs. He recommended cameras, but more for prosecution if a picture is captured. Says they typically wear hoodies and bandanas and cameras often don't scare them.
On the gun thing, he said that kids prowling in the back yard is one thing, but no one has right to be in the house. It was clearly implied what that meant, but he didn't want to be explicit.
Both he and the first deputy along with the deputy operator I got when calling it in the second time said to call immediately while it is in progress. My thought is "well, yeah obviously" but they have come after we retire and we haven't been in that position to call.

We have several of these little ... that we bought at Harbor Freight... It's all battery powered, wireless, and very simple--the sensor goes where it can "see" the "area of concern... If placed where it could sense someone outside your enclosed porch, it might provide some peace of mind, or advance warning of trouble. In my experience, it's more likely to give "false positive's" ...

I have a GE version and it's good but there have been 3 false alarms in a little over a week. It's in an inclosed area so there are no animals or other movement. I'd like to find something less "buggy" as it scares the crap out of us in the middle of the night.

Two visits from the bad guys in 8 days? That is just so scary. I don't think I'd be able to sleep ever again. Do the police suggest any other deterrents?

You are so right. It is very hard. Every little noise at makes us jump.

Home invasions are pretty rare, though. Much more likely that if you are robbed it will be a lazy smash and grab type thing when nobody is home.

Both deputies agree with this. Both think it is very concerning. I have been hardening the target, so to speak, every day. I have considered everything everyone has been saying and have taken many steps with more to come. For example, just remembered I have to get locks for the circuit boxes outside so that they don't cut the power on me! One more thing on the to do list.

 

[brewer12345]

Ronin, you need a shotgun. For a few hundred bucks you can get a 12 gauge pump action. Load it with 00 buck and don't put one in the chamber. The pump action sound is the least friendly sound on the planet.

I would suggest a dog, but that is not for everyone.

 

[eytonxav]

Certainly, but that's a function of your router. Nest recommends using wpa2 exclusively.

Thanks, yes I know that, but just want to make sure the device will accept that level of security.

 

[KB]

If you haven't already had the security screen doors installed, I found that really added another level of security to my home. I would recommend getting those installed on front and back doors immediately and key the deadbolts in the security doors to your house doors.

 

[ronin]

Ronin, you need a shotgun. For a few hundred bucks you can get a 12 gauge pump action. Load it with 00 buck and don't put one in the chamber. The pump action sound is the least friendly sound on the planet.

I would suggest a dog, but that is not for everyone.

Got 12ga loaded with double aught, 18"barrel and pistol grip.

 

[ronin]

If you haven't already had the security screen doors installed, I found that really added another level of security to my home. I would recommend getting those installed on front and back doors immediately and key the deadbolts in the security doors to your house doors.

Ordered them Wed. Hope to have them installed by this Tuesday. He's supposed to co-ordinate with the locksmith guy.