4 Month Old Baby and Parents Rob Homes

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When someone breaks into a home, their primary motivation is generally money. In the case of parents bringing their 4 month old along for the heist, it’s probably for money to support a drug habit. These burglars obviously have issues.

279 years ago I dated a girl who worked at a bank. She developed herself a little coke problem. Her coke problem turned into a theft from the bank problem to support her habit. Drugs drive people to do awful things. Eventually this girl was found out, faced some consequences, got into a few 12 step programs and today’s she’s very successful and a mother of 3.  So the subjects in this story aren’t horrible, they’re actually sick. Addiction is an extremely difficult disease to cope with for everyone involved.

“A couple accused of going on a home break-in spree last week have been charged with child abuse for allegedly bringing along a 4-month old child. Deputies said the suspects ages 28, 23 and 25, were arrested after a citizen spotted them leaving the scene of one of the crimes, followed the vehicle and called 911 to assist deputies in locating the vehicle.”

Desperate people do desperate things. And when someone is under the influence of a narcotic or desperate to get some, they will say and do anything. Often these crimes can lead to violence. If you think “it can’t happen to me” then you are delusional. Burglary happens all day every day in the “most secure” communities because people have “issues” and the victims don’t lock their doors and don’t invest in their home security.

Take responsibility for your home security. Install a home security system complete with monitored alarm and home surveillance cameras. Have the cameras monitor motion connected to a DVR. Set the alarm while you are home during the day, sleeping and when you are gone.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures

Unknown Knocker Annoys N.C. Neighbors

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In North Carolina some whack job is knocking on doors of women and running. Oddly, all have one thing in common, they are widows. The knocker hasn’t hurt anyone but he is certainly harassing them.

As kids we did similar things to annoy. Kids will be kids, but today is much different. Behavior such as this could have serious repercussions if somebody catches whoever is doing it in the act and then “teaches them a lesson.”

“Police in Rutherford County, North Carolina reported five women were being harassed by an unknown prowler called “The Knocker. The five women, all widows living in Rutherford County, said the knocks are sporadic and come at any given time of day or night, according to reports. They hear the knocks on their doors, walls, windows, sometimes for weeks at a time. No one has been arrested and local authorities are hesitant about the claims. A son of one of the women defended their claims, saying five women do not just make up stories together, reports stated. Police continue investigating the mysterious knocker.”

Whether knocks occur or not, there is enough technology available to determine and prevent it from continuing to happen. Further, a neighborhood watch program would help thwart any mischief.  If it’s true, what is concerning is the “knocks” have been going on for weeks and nobody has caught the guy.

Home security tip number one, don’t provide an opportunity for a prankster or a bad guy to do this to you or someone you love. Install home security cameras to monitor the perimeter and deter the stupid knocker. If this was my mom being harassed knock-boy would already have been caught.

Now if this is more than just kids playing games, and is an adult who is obviously a bit screwy, he could also be peeping in windows, jiggling door knobs and thinking about his next move. A home security alarm is essential to alert the homeowner, neighbors, and law enforcement to a potential intruder.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Stalker Frames Victim Husband for Child Porn

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OK, this is a weird title for this blog, but you gotta read this.

First, if there was ever a reason for you to invest in a home security system the below article is it.

A Crazy guy broke into the home of a woman who he was stalking. The woman is married, but apparently the guy didn’t care. When he broke into the home he logged onto the victim’s husband’s PC and downloaded child pornography.

Then he took the hard drive and sent it to the local police with a note to the police identifying the owner of the hard drive. The idea behind the scheme was to get his stalking victim husband arrested and give the impression that the victim’s husband was a child predator.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a whacky guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After he sent the hard drive to the police he was quickly arrested. Fortunately, the cops saw through his ruse. After investigating the stalker they found pictures on his computer that indicated he had broke in the house numerous times and snapped photos of the husband’s calendar so he could break into the home whenever he pleased.

And you think you have problems?

Stalking is a whole thing that I will get into in another post. What immediately bugs me about this story is the fact there was NO home alarm, NO security cameras, and the stalker was easily able to enter and exit the home at will, which tells me they probably didn’t lock the home.

It’s 2010 people, and the crazies are out in full force. Don’t think it can happen to you?

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

Home Security Tips When Selling Your House

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Selling a home is a big task requiring lots of time and effort. Most people use a professional real estate agent to help them sell (which I recommend), but many today are doing it themselves. When opening your home to strangers the risks to your families’ personal security increase dramatically.

First and foremost recognize that when you are placing ads and alerting the world to come inside and take a peek, you are going to have to make a few adjustments and begin to think differently in this process.

Secure valuables. Lock up or remove anything that you don’t want stolen. If you ever suspect or see someone steal something, let them have it. There is nothing material worth fighting over.

Be suspect of everyone. There isn’t any benefit in being paranoid; however, being a little guarded can keep you from getting into a vulnerable situation. Don’t just be wary of a man showing up unaccompanied. Expect them to show up in a nice car, well dressed, maybe with a wife and kids tagging along. They might have a business card saying they are a doctor or a lawyer. Don’t let your guard down.

When placing ads, all advertisements should state “Appointment only” “Drivers license required” and “Pre Approval Documentation Required.” There are all hoops the bad guy may not want to jump through and you vetting out those who are “just looking” at the same time.

Use the Buddy System. When you set appointments always schedule around a spouse or friends availability so they can join you. There is always strength in numbers. If you have to go it solo, when someone walks in, say, “I’d be happy to show you the benefits of this home! In a few minutes my friend Rocco will be along to assist me,” creating the illusion of the buddy system.

ID and pre-qualify at your first meeting. When you are meeting at your property, get some form of identification. Also, it is to your benefit that a potential client buying a home is pre-qualified. Someone who is pre-qualified by a lender is less likely to be a predator.

Safe open houses. Spend a few minutes considering all the vulnerable points within the home and how you would escape if necessary.

Dress for safety and success. Don’t wear expensive jewelry. A $3-5 thousand-dollar diamond buys a lot of drugs. Dress professionally instead of provocatively.

Pay attention to your intuition. Trust your gut, and don’t discount any troubling feelings you might have about your new prospect. The moment you sense danger leave the house.

Install a home security system. Home security cameras and a home alarm system are great selling points. Install these way ahead of time for security purposes. During showings carry a remote control for your alarm system that has a panic button and can alert law enforcement if you run into trouble.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Real Estate Agent Security on Inside Edition.

Awareness Based Security Initiatives

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When something bad happens in a neighborhood, like burglaries, car theft or violence, the residents will often “react.” First thing they do is call the local home security alarm dealer, then a locksmith and maybe the local police to give a speech. For some, this may be the first time they lock their doors.

Reacting to a bad situation is often the catalyst that gets people motivated to take control of their personal security. People develop a sense of fear and make these security decisions not because they are security conscious, but because they are scared. While fear is certainly a motivator, it doesn’t always teach us a needed lesson.

The main problem with fear based motivation is eventually that person will no longer have the imminent fear and they stop locking their doors or setting their alarms. They may even start leaving their keys in the cars ignition again. Now they are as vulnerable as they were before.

Benjamin Franklin once said “To be safe, means never to be secure.” What Benny meant was that the moment that you believe you are fully “secure”, when you have the belief that you no longer need to be vigilant, when the awareness wears off and you think “it’s not going to happen to me.” Now your guard is down and you are a better target for the bad guy.

Always keep your head up, lock your doors, install a home security system and leave it on. If you think you live in a neighborhood where “you don’t need to lock your doors” then you are delusional.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Invasions on Montel Williams.

Start a Neighborhood Watch

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In a nearby neighborhood, kids were playing ball when a foul ball ended up in the bushes. When a boy went to recover the ball he found a loaded handgun in the bushes. Fortunately, this kid was smart enough to handle it in a way that nobody got hurt.

Even the best and most secure neighborhoods have criminals lurking.

We know homes with security alarms and home security cameras are certainly more secure than homes that aren’t properly equipped. But what good is all the security in the world if the neighborhood you live in is a combat zone? Quality of life suffers while you are in your fortress. But there are comprehensive solutions to a safer and more secure community. One of the most effective strategies available to any community is a neighborhood watch.

A neighborhood watch (also called a crime watch or neighborhood crime watch) is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. In the United States it builds on the concept of a town watch from Colonial America.

A neighborhood watch may be organized as its own group or may simply be a function of a neighborhood association or other community association.

Neighborhood watches are not vigilante organizations. When suspecting criminal activities, members are encouraged to contact authorities and not to intervene.

Objectives of a Neighborhood Watch

· To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness.

· To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.

· To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community.

· To improve police/community liaison by providing effective communications through Neighborhood Watch messaging systems which warn Co-coordinators of local crime trends which they can disseminate to their scheme members, and by members informing the police of incidents when they occur.

If you are a self starter and concerned about the quality of life in your community then take some initiative and engage your fellow residents in a comprehensive strategy to make your community safer. Start by knocking on doors with residents who you have a relationship with. Once repore is established determine who they also have relationships with. Then create buzz amongst other civic minded residents and begin to assemble your team.

Involve the local police as they often have systems in place ready for neighborhood adoption.

Arrange a monthly meeting of like minded residents and establish a quorum.

Distribute home safety tips to all those in attendance and in the mailboxes of those who can’t make a monthly meeting. Make suggesting such as fixing broken windows, keeping properties free of debris, locking doors and making investments in home security systems.

It’s inevitable that crime is going to happen, but it’s also possible to gain a degree of control over your neighborhood that makes it difficult for a bad guy to do his job.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

Burglar Hits County Sheriff’s Home

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In these posts I often point out what people do wrong and reverse engineer the scenario so we can learn from 20/20 hindsight what to do right next time. I’m happy to say, this post is about what was done right the first time.

There are many reasons why homes are broken into. Money is generally the primary motivation. Sometimes kids may be looking for a place to party or someone may be seeking out drugs or alcohol. But when someone breaks into the Sheriffs home, one has to wonder why.

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen is used to investigating break-ins, but this time it was his own home. The sheriff is offering a $1,000 reward from his own pocket for information leading to an arrest. Nothing was taken in the break-in on Sunday at the sheriff’s home on Wacker Drive, which makes the incident even more mysterious, Phalen said. “I would almost feel better if something had been taken,” he said. The burglar came between 5 and 6 p.m., while Phalen and his wife were out for a walk. Phalen said that the alarm system triggered and the burglar apparently tried to disable it. The alarm was beeping when Phalen and his wife returned.

The motivation here may simply be for money, but if they knew it was the Sheriff’s house, then more than likely someone was after information or they simply wanted to have bragging rights to say “I broke into the Sheriff’s house.”

What pleases me about this story is the home security alarm that was triggered in the break in. Any one who reads this will see that the Sheriff, knowing that crime happens when someone least expects it, locked his doors and set his home alarm system while he and his wife were out for a quick walk.

Even though he was only gone for a short time he took full responsibility for his families security and enabled the home security system. One thing missing is why wasn’t their any data about the alarm being monitored by a service and a call made to the “Sheriff’s Department.” Seems there is a lesson to be learned here.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

How to Mess With a Burglar’s Head

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So you follow set guidelines for home security tips and installed all the necessary technologies like a wireless alarm system to prevent the bad guy from breaking in. But Murphy’s Law dropkicked you and all failed for whatever reason and the bad guy is in your home while you are away on business or at work.

Here’s a do it yourself cheap way to have a home security camera system to spook the jerk and possibly get him caught. This is easier than it sounds. But take your time and have fun.

If you are like me, you have old computers in your closest collecting dust that are too slow to actually surf the Net and get things done efficiently. Now is a good time to put them to good and fun use.

1. Clean up the operating system and make it functional. Connect it to the Net and leave it on.

2. Install cheap $10 webcams that have audio and the cam will pan the area, tilt and zoom.

3. Dig out your old computer speakers and connect them to the PC and set them to LOUD.

4. Download and install free Skype. Skype is voice over the internet that also supports webcams. With Skype you can call anyone on Skype and talk to them via a webcam. Make sure your home and work PC has Skype and a webcam or your road ready laptop has Sykpe and a webcam.

5. You need to set up 2 different accounts on Skype, one for home and one for work. Each has a different user name and set them to auto login when the PC starts.

6. Download and set up the dusty home PC or laptop with free “LogMeIn.com” remote access technology software. This software allows you to remotely access the home PC from anywhere. When you log into your home PC from the road you can fully control that home PC like you are sitting in front of it.

7. From work, Skype into the Home PC and call it from your work PC then “answer” the call while remotely logged in.

8. Now you have full control over the web camera on the home PC and you can pan, tilt zoom and your voice now broadcasts over the home PC speakers.

9. Download Korn, Disturbed, MegaDeath, Marilyn Manson, Metallica or my personal favorite, the ultimate creep tune: “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Or the Police’s “Every Breath You Take… I’ll be Watching You.” Record a dog barking on a loop. If you’re a movie buff dig out some sound clips from horror movies with lots of blood curdling screams that play incessantly on a loop. Now we’re cooking with gas!

10. When you Skype in and see a burglar call the police. Then start talking to him like you’re in the next room and tell him that the cops are coming to get his sorry self. Then blast the music at level 10 to freak him out. If you really want to mess with him play anything from Yoko Ono. Loud!

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Using Skype and Webcams to Spy on The CW. Disclosures.

Home Safety Tips to Prevent a Burglary

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Imagine pulling in the driveway and seeing your side door open and some of your stuff on the ground. You wonder what’s happening and think maybe your spouse or kids dropped something or left the door open. But as you look closer the door is smashed and inside the house looks disheveled. Then the sinking feeling of “I’ve been burglarized” sets in.

Secure entrance ways: Burglars often go right through your back or front door. They first ring the bell or knock on the door to see if you’re home, and if you don’t answer they jiggle the doorknob. If the door is locked they will use a crowbar to force it open. Lock your doors. Install solid core doors that can’t easily be compromised. Install heavy deadbolts that go deep into the jam with 3-4 inch screws that go into the door’s frame. For sliding glass doors, install an additional wooden dowel preventing the door from being opened from the outside. Make sure your home security alarm has open door sensors.

Secure windows: When a burglar encounters a locked door they may look for unlocked windows. Lock your windows. As an extra layer of security install a wooden dowel on top of the window to prevent it from being opened. Install window film that prevents the glass from being broken. Install glass break sensors to compliment your home security system.

Use high wattage lighting: Lighting on the exterior is an effective way to keep the bad guy away. The benefit of additional lighting helps your neighbors to see suspicious activity at night. If you have home security cameras, this also helps the cameras do their jobs more effectively. Motion sensors are OK, but I prefer timed lighting that goes on at dusk and off at dawn. Motion sensors sometimes “ghost” and give the impression that someone is there when they aren’t.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

Building Out a Home Security System

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Home security alarms are just one part of your overall system. Generally, the alarm can be wired or installed as a wireless home security system and consists of keypads at each entrance, motion sensors, glass break sensors and open door and window sensors. The alarm panel should be installed in a relatively secure enclosure and in a relatively secure room within the house. The alarms communications go to the monitoring company and the local police can be wired or wireless or both. Wired are best and a cell wireless back up is even better.

Additional layers of protection include the stickers that come along with the alarm that are installed on doors and windows. Make use of any additional lawn signage depicting “Home Security System” installed.

Beyond an alarm system with a digital video recorder set to record motion. Set up security cameras to monitor the perimeter. Security cameras can send off an alarm triggering additional lighting, sirens and alerting the home owner to a potential breach via text and telephone calls. I can immediately see my cameras via my iPhone. Cameras inside the house are necessary as well. Just short of a camera pointing right at the kid’s bed, the house is wired to show all doors and living spaces. Once you take the leap you wonder how you lived without it. It’s a very cool tool to find your keys or wallet if you lose them in the house.

Recently, I found an Easter basket at my front door without a note. I thought maybe the note blew off or the Easter bunny forgot to attach a note. I wasn’t sure. My first move was to check my DVR and look for motion triggered events and pull them up and scan the footage. When I saw my neighbor walking down the street with the Easter basket then up onto my porch to drop it off, disappointment set in. I was really hoping to catch the Easter Bunny on camera.

Next Christmas I’m pointing this bad boy right at the chimney.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.