Helpful Hints From a Burglar[1]
Given that it’s the holiday and vacation season, the need (sadly) to protect ourselves agains
t crime is up.
There’s pressure to procure amongst both law-abiding citizens and criminals, alike. Shoppers are everywhere and gif
ts are in plain sight in your cart, the backseat of your car and in your home. Indeed, statistically, during the months of November and December, shoplifting, car break-ins, fraud and burglary all increase.
The following helpful hints from a burglar’s point of view are therefore worth forwarding:
- You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
- Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
- Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
- Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
- To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
- Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
- Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
- Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
- If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
- If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
- A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
- It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
- I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
- Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
- Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
Have a happy and safe holiday!
[1] http://chameleonassociates.com/burglar-helpful-hints/
