Police Officer’s Home Burglarized; Learn How Not to Become a Victim Too

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Nobody is immune to burglaries. I’ve seen celebrities, priests, politicians and even police officers become victims of burglary.

SFGate.com reports that two people were arrested and charged in the burglary of a central Iowa police officer’s home in which the officer’s gun was stolen.

Not at all cool. Not cool because the cop is just like us and doesn’t deserve his home broken into. Not cool because his gun was stolen and could be used by the whack-job burglar to kill someone. And not cool, frankly, because he is an officer of the law and really should, at a minimum, have a home security system protecting his home and a safe protecting that gun.

Meanwhile, police in Seattle and the West Seattle Herald provided some insight into how burglars operate: “The general profile of our burglars are juveniles in groups of two to three (there are, of course, adults as well), often times [breaking into homes] while people are at work and kids are at school. The modus operandi is to have one person knock on the door (while in communication with the others, usually by cell phone). Meanwhile, the other two are working their way into the backyard where they will break into a window or door once the coast is known to be clear. Once inside, they generally focus on high-end electronics (Apple products are a favorite), gold and silver jewelry, cash and guns.”

Don’t want to end up in the paper? Memorize these prevention tips:

  • Stay safe at home: If someone’s breaking in while you are home, yell out, “Hey, what are you doing!” or “Honey, can you get that?” to make it clear someone (or more than one) is home. Leave, or get to a safe, locked room and call 911.
  • Watch your perimeter: Keep your yard and home easily visible to neighbors so they can see mischievous burglar behavior.
  • Home alarms: Home alarm systems and posted signs letting everyone know they are in place can also act as a deterrent.
  • Summertime security: Don’t leave windows slightly ajar to keep the house cool when you are gone.
  • Neighborhood watch: Start up a block watch with your neighbors. This means folks watching out for folks and their property—and for people on the block who don’t belong.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.