Just interrupted another burglar

[RandBlade]

Absolutely fuming.

In bed at about 12:30, though luckily not asleep yet I was playing a game on my Laptop and just heard what I thought was rustling outside (windows open) and looked out to see if I could see anything, not at first. Then the noise continued so I checked again and there was someone by the fence at the bottom of our back garden to the car park. Thought at first maybe a drunk but picked up my mobile, could no longer see the person, loaded the torch app and shone it out the window. Then heard footsteps running away fast.

Went downstairs and the kitchen window had been pulled all the way open. The kitchen windowledge by the window has been cleared too. A pair of pot plants (with nothing in them, recently bought) that were on the windowledge are now on the mud in the garden. I have no idea if he got into the house but can't see anything missing noticeably. Amanda's watch which was her main Christmas present last year is still there and would probably have been the most expensive thing there. I'm really hoping my wedding ring wasn't there (took it off yesterday and that's one place I sometimes put it, eg if doing dishes).

Not called the Police. Didn't get a glimpse of anyone and they won't do anyting (and even when they caught the guy last time as I'd got his reg plate he didn't even get any time). Amanda's sleeping, she was shattered when she went to bed and I don't want to wake her up. I suspect we'd left the window open as its been a bit of a heatwave lately so silly thing there but that shouldn't be an invitation to burglars. So pissed off, this is not fair.

[Wraith]

That sucks Rand. I'm sorry you have to go through this again. What is it that's attracting all these burglars to your place?

[Dreadnaught]

That's awful.

Any security improvements to the house that can be made? Or not worth it because Canada? Bars or motion sensors (with lights) by the windows would work, or are these guys strung-out on something?

[Loki]

I wonder if someone put a word out on the street that you're loaded? Disgruntled worker perhaps?

[Timbuk2]

Motion sensor security light. I installed one at the last house I owned.

Otherwise, doesn't sound like you should ever leave downstairs windows open. That's something I'd never do in any case.

Really sucks though fella. The sense of intrusion must be overwhelming.

[Khendraja'aro]

Replace the windows with burglar proof ones. Those you can't pry open with a crowbar even when they're tilted for ventilation, plus the glass is highly resistant.

Might cost a pretty penny but does wonders for security.

[Ominous Gamer]

motion lights and fake cameras, cheap but go a long way. you're dealing with criminals of opportunity, not masterminds.

[Aimless]

Man, that sucks... I don't know how you've managed to stay in this dodgy neighbourhood of yours. It would be nice if booby-trapping windows were legal

[ImAnOgre]

Too bad you don't live in the states where booby trapped windows are legal, and so is shooting an intruder.

I have often wondered if I would have the ability to shoot and kill an intruder in my home. I would be scared for my life, but taking another human's being life isn't something to take lightly. Would I freeze, or would i be able to squeeze the trigger. I have a gun on my night stand, a pistol grip shotgun inthe closet, and various rifles in other places. (your basic zombie apocalypse survival kit). I have the tools, but would i be able to shoot?

I once had a trespasser at my old house. Simply pumping the shotgun was a distinct enough sound, they took off running. I was so pumped up on adrenaline, I hope I NEVER have to live that moment again. But even then, the first shell was bird shot, if I would have shot someone, it would have game them road rash and that's it. (2nd and every subsequent round was buck shot though).

[Hazir]

My commiserations, I hope this whole burglar thing doesn't make it harder to sell that place.

[Khendraja'aro]

motion lights and fake cameras, cheap but go a long way. you're dealing with criminals of opportunity, not masterminds.

I wouldn't be too sure about that (the opportunity thing, that is, not the "masterminds"). Here in Germany we have, in addition to the burglars of opportunity, small bands roaming around who actually take the time to survey their target. Cameras and motion lights don't scare those guys (not to mention that motion lights can be a huge annoyance on neighbours and occupants alike if you're doing them wrong).

Thus it's better to increase "real" security instead of faking it. That's why I suggested different windows.

However, as I said, it's not cheap. A 0.5m² window with security glass (tiltable) with a lockable grip costs about 200€.

[Lewkowski]

Bear traps.

Its not about protection its about giving scum life crippling injuries.

[Lor]

motion lights and fake cameras, cheap but go a long way. you're dealing with criminals of opportunity, not masterminds.

This.

I'd also do what Loki said + phone the police as this isn't the first time.

[GGT]

Wow, sorry to hear all that, Rand. That's not the kind of thing anyone wants with a new home, new marriage, and a baby on the way....

You can do many things to ward off future burglars. Close and lock windows at street level, don't place valuables near windows or street views, that kind of thing goes a long way. Motion sensor lights can be effective..but also bug the hell out of you and your neighbors every time a cat walks by.

Seems to me that some petty thief in your neighborhood realized you were recently married, with gift packages arriving at your door. Since you were absent for a while (during your honeymoon), he was probably trying to time his theft, but got it totally wrong. More savvy thieves would have wiped you out while you were gone.

It's still disconcerting, disquieting, disturbing. Are there any other newlyweds, soon-to-be parents, or new parents in your housing complex that you can talk with, who are also concerned with safety?

[DecoyMilk]

Am I the only one that thinks you're a fool for leaving any downstairs windows open? That's just begging for an opportunist thief to have a go. Why would you have downstairs windows open when you're in bed? Lock up downstairs, open upstairs windows, and you're reducing the risk of someone at least having an easy route in.

[Khendraja'aro]

Unless they're security windows, it actually doesn't matter if the windows are open, tilted or closed.

All you need is a screwdriver and about 2 seconds to open a standard window without security bolts.

[DecoyMilk]

Unless they're security windows, it actually doesn't matter if the windows are open, tilted or closed.

All you need is a screwdriver and about 2 seconds to open a standard window without security bolts.

Sure, but you could argue that the reason that this guy approached that window in the first place is because it was open.

When I was buying a lock for my bike, I asked the guy in the shop which one was impossible to break into. 'None of them' was his answer. 'All of them can be broken into with enough time. But by putting a lock on, you're making it less likely that they'll even attempt to steal your bike at all.' Same thing here.

Khendra, Rand hasn't said what type of windows he has, and besides, if he's leaving a downstairs window open and unlocked, then the potential security of it literally goes out the window.

[Loki]

I agree with Decoy, unless Rand is being picked on intentionally for the reason I mentioned above. In that case, you really do want to have security that is hard (even if not impossible) to break.

[Flixy]

When I was buying a lock for my bike, I asked the guy in the shop which one was impossible to break into. 'None of them' was his answer. 'All of them can be broken into with enough time. But by putting a lock on, you're making it less likely that they'll even attempt to steal your bike at all.' Same thing here.

Trick with bikes is, use two different locks. Most thieves specialise in one type of lock, so two different ones deters them. And lock it to a fence or something so they can't just pick it up and throw it in a van.

[Ominous Gamer]

your bike thieves are way more crafty than ours. Over here specializing means large enough bolt cutters.

Even locks that guarantee to be unbreakable only cover the locking mechanism and not the chain.

[RandBlade]

Motion sensor security light. I installed one at the last house I owned.

Otherwise, doesn't sound like you should ever leave downstairs windows open. That's something I'd never do in any case.

Really sucks though fella. The sense of intrusion must be overwhelming.

I know it was stupid you just don't think. It'll also have voided the insurance I'm sure.

The little fuckers taken my wedding ring I'm pretty sure . I can't find it anywhere, been looking for days. I'd been working outside in the heat a few days earlier and my hand had swollen and the ring had gotten uncomfortable so I'd taken it off and put it down. That was the night Amanda told me she might be pregnant so all thoughts of that had gone then and I didn't put it back on and now I can't find it anywhere. I often put it on that shelf when I do the dishes.

I'm pretty sure the insurance company won't pay out for the ring either (due to the window being open and not forced) but its not just the monetary value of replacing it but the sentimentality of it too.

Am I the only one that thinks you're a fool for leaving any downstairs windows open? That's just begging for an opportunist thief to have a go. Why would you have downstairs windows open when you're in bed? Lock up downstairs, open upstairs windows, and you're reducing the risk of someone at least having an easy route in.

It was a mistake, innocent enough. It was hot, I opened the window. Didn't think of it again after that. No Air Conditioning as we don't need it normally but we shouldn't have to feel like prisoners in our own home unable to even open the window lest some little shit takes our stuff. I wouldn't do that to anyone

[Ominous Gamer]

Most of my windows are open for at least 4 months out of the year, several of them don't even lock. Guess those screens and dogs go a long way.

[RandBlade]

My in-laws feel safe enough to go to the shops without locking their front doors . And everyone in the morning has their cars running with the key in while they're inside with the morning coffee - but that's kind of necessary when its -40C outside.

Guess it depends where you are too.

[Loki]

Time to check the local pawn shops.

[GGT]

Hope you find your wedding ring. Maybe you put it in your pocket? Tip for safe ring-keeping -- if you're going to take it off, safety pin it to your shirt.

[Flixy]

Sucks about your wedding ring

@OG: our bicyclethieves are mostly junkies/bums who steal in the center or at the station, bolt cutters get attention easier to learn the weak point of one lock type and carry tools for that,I suppose.

[Ominous Gamer]

bolt cutters get attention

its a little different over here

[GGT]

My son had one of his bike wheels stolen in his first month of living in Philly, despite a good "urban" tire lock. It's practically a cottage industry around Temple University. People go out of their way to make their bikes look shabby (and not worth stealing) by making purposeful dents and paint scrapes, or wrapping seats in duct tape. Savvy thieves are still savvy.

[GGT]

My in-laws feel safe enough to go to the shops without locking their front doors . And everyone in the morning has their cars running with the key in while they're inside with the morning coffee - but that's kind of necessary when its -40C outside.

Guess it depends where you are too.

Absolutely. But since you've decided to take a job in the UK, you can't really compare your Canadian in-law lifestyle to British life.

[Timbuk2]

And everyone in the morning has their cars running with the key in while they're inside with the morning coffee - but that's kind of necessary when its -40C outside.

People need educating. Leaving a modern engine idling to warm up for a while before driving shortens the life of the engine and can damage it.

The most wear the engine receives is before the engine oil is at operating temperature and is distributed. Idling to warm up extends that period.

As modern car manuals will tell you, the engine warms up fastest under normal load; ie normal driving. Some manuals explicitly state not idling to warm up.