"Sorry We Missed You" Delivery Card = Burglary Target? (Austin: home, to buy)

[Glenn Ross]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

You could also put out small signs that you've augmented your adt services with those of S&W and SIG

Full disclosure: I'm no lawyer, but I've been warned against putting out signs like this from attorneys who specialize in defending gun owners. An over eager prosecutor can use that against you. (And I realize the quote was in jest.)

Be sure you get at least one yard sign from your security system provider. Probably two, one near your gate and the other in the front yard next to your house.

[10scoachrick]

You could also put out small signs that you've augmented your adt services with those of S&W and SIG

Originally Posted by Glenn Ross

Full disclosure: I'm no lawyer, but I've been warned against putting out signs like this from attorneys who specialize in defending gun owners. An over eager prosecutor can use that against you. (And I realize the quote was in jest.)

Be sure you get at least one yard sign from your security system provider. Probably two, one near your gate and the other in the front yard next to your house.

By "signs" , I meant 'indicators', not actual printed signs. Little things like a well-used target or two in clear view in the garage(should they make it that far) or on the patio might be like the old stand-by of the size 14 hunting boots in view on the back porch.

Realistically, I don't think the bad guys are usually focused enough to react to a 'watch' sign of any sort. They will take the path of least resistance in most cases, unless they have insider knowledge of items worth pursuing(cleaning crew or other workers having 'legit' access to the home and its contents). An ADT or Glock sign in the yard likely doesn't mean a whit when it comes right down to it.

[ScoPro]

Back in the day, the security guard stations in some of the old Las Vegas casinos had shelves of shooting trophies on display. Needless to say, those places didn't get robbed, unlike the "gun free zone" casinos today.

Just sayin'

This reminds me of the burglar who got himself shot by an annoyed lady homeowner several weeks ago somewhere in the SW Austin area - after he ignored the warning signs posted at the entrance gates. The perp reaped what he tried to sow.

Since this is Texas, it is highly unlikely a homeowner will be indicted - much less prosecuted or even convicted - of shooting a burglar or trespasser.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by mickey65

Yeah, as the Kinks once sang, "Paranoia will destroy ya..."

I don't think the burglars are quite that sophisticated here in Texas! LOL

Oh, yes. Yes, they are.

They will walk around with business cards and fake products or surveys in case you answer the door.
They will purposely come in work vehicles with plumbing or lawn mowing equipment to blend in.
They will stalk business vehicles and steal them while tradesmen are inside the homes.
They come to open houses.
They drive the neighborhoods ahead of time to get a sense of people's schedules.
They know the amount of time between the alarm going off and people responding and ensure they're in and out faster.
They know to pinpoint master bedrooms/bathrooms for strategic strikes.

[Powered_by_Espresso]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Not the break-in part, I hope

Oh no, not the break-in luckily. We just got that notice on our door shortly after buying the house.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by stan4

Oh, yes. Yes, they are.

They will walk around with business cards and fake products or surveys in case you answer the door.
They will purposely come in work vehicles with plumbing or lawn mowing equipment to blend in.
They will stalk business vehicles and steal them while tradesmen are inside the homes.
They come to open houses.
They drive the neighborhoods ahead of time to get a sense of people's schedules.
They know the amount of time between the alarm going off and people responding and ensure they're in and out faster.
They know to pinpoint master bedrooms/bathrooms for strategic strikes.

The robberies in our part of town appear to be mostly knock on the front door, then break in the back if no one answers. Mostly transient or low-resources type, they likely can't afford fake equipment.

Most of the robberies that have been solved (which includes almost every one that wasn't a 'one-off') did not involve any sophistication at all. The most common MOs
- walk into an open garage and steal stuff;
- open an unlocked car in the driveway and steal stuff; and
- Knock on the front door, if no one answers, go to the back and break in.

There are a number of retired or stay-at-home folks that will come out to investigate if there is a house alarm that goes off. Over the past 15 years or so, at least two thieves were caught because their licenses were written down by a neighbor, even though the thieves were in-and-out before the police got there. I another case, a would-be thief was going the knock on the door route, but there was a woman at home napping who just decided not to answer. He quickly fled, as she armed herself as he was trying to bust the back door open, but was captured shortly thereafter.

Some years before I moved south, the lady across the street was burglarized - they broke the window next to her front door, unlocked the door, then when and opened up the garage and placed their vehicle in there while they 'loaded up'. An audible alarm and a more secure front door would likely have prevented that.

In short, the 'sophisticated thieves' theory has rarely held up (in my experience), and if if they are out there, that is not what you are trying to really stop. The vast majority of the thieves are often high-school (or younger) delinquents, junkies trying to get pawn goods so they can get a fix, or other marginal people who have mental limitations that don't lend themselves to planning a fancy heist. Loud alarms, engaged neighbors, and strong doors go a long way to deterring you typical criminal.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

In short, the 'sophisticated thieves' theory has rarely held up (in my experience), and if if they are out there, that is not what you are trying to really stop. The vast majority of the thieves are often high-school (or younger) delinquents, junkies trying to get pawn goods so they can get a fix, or other marginal people who have mental limitations that don't lend themselves to planning a fancy heist. Loud alarms, engaged neighbors, and strong doors go a long way to deterring you typical criminal.

Yeah, no. Obviously there is a contingent of smash and grab.

The list I made are of documented things that have been happening around our neighborhood over the last decade or so. Every house here has an alarm. Every house has a large, heavy front door. Many houses have driveway gates to limit back yard access. Many have video systems (so the crooks around here usually cover their faces).

So, now that the basics are covered by most houses, the crooks have had to get more inventive.

They are capturing garage door codes and key fob codes. It's commonly known that people should no longer keep their watch winders in their master closet.

I feel like if they have to go to all this work to rob, they could just go get an effin' job.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Powered_by_Espresso

Oh no, not the break-in luckily. We just got that notice on our door shortly after buying the house.

Myriad water-softener propaganda is soon to follow.

[Edna_s]

I used to work for this company and I can honestly say, it’s not a scheme to rob your house. I only drove around and dropped off the cards to the list of houses they would give me. They’d give me the houses 3 times and then after that I’d get different houses. I’d say just ignore the card and you’ll be just fine. From what I knew, they were trying to sell alarm systems. Before I was driving for them, I was walking. I’d go to a neighborhood and drop off a door hanger with the security systems information. That’s what I know from it anyway. I even filled my taxes for this job, so I don’t think they were trying to rob anyone

[cBach]

Originally Posted by VICKY1414

Tell me what happens if u already called?

it's over for you honey... might as well bend over and kiss your booty goodbye...