Someone with burglary investigation experience:If the bad guy is in the house for 5 minutes, will they find a long gun in the closet, above the door? Cannot be seen through an open door.

 

What else do they usually take? Do they cut phone (alarm) lines before entry? Do they return a second time?

If you are generally concerned about someone cutting the lines, which is fairly common by the way, install a radio backup. It sends a signal to central monitoring thru radio signal, and bypasses the phone line. You can also have it trigger the alarm if the phone line is cut. Works great.

 

I am NOT a LEO, just giving my two cents, so take it for what its worth

 

IMO, the hidden in plain sight idea comes to mind here with regards to the SG above the closet door. Is it a walk-in closet? Or just a coat type closet? Many people store valuables in closets, jewelry, safes, etc. Robbers know this. If it is a walk in closet, I wold think they would spend some time in there looking for such. Upon walking out, they would probably notice the SG. If it is a linnen / coat closet, and they just peek their head in to look around, I dont think they would notice the gun. Again, this is just my $.02

 

Ever consider something like this?

Someone with burglary investigation experience:If the bad guy is in the house for 5 minutes, will they find a long gun in the closet, above the door? Cannot be seen through an open door.

 

What else do they usually take? Do they cut phone (alarm) lines before entry? Do they return a second time?

 

 

NOT an LEO. Anywhere unusual you can think of to hide it is probably where they are going to be looking for jewlery/cash etc. You should look into a small gun cabinet and lag bolt it to the floor/wall. They take whatever they want, I don't think anyone wastes their time cutting alarm wires, and who knows if they come back.

Someone with burglary investigation experience:If the bad guy is in the house for 5 minutes, will they find a long gun in the closet, above the door? Cannot be seen through an open door.

 

What else do they usually take? Do they cut phone (alarm) lines before entry? Do they return a second time?

 

 

NOT an LEO. Anywhere unusual you can think of to hide it is probably where they are going to be looking for jewlery/cash etc. You should look into a small gun cabinet and lag bolt it to the floor/wall. They take whatever they want, I don't think anyone wastes their time cutting alarm wires, and who knows if they come back.

 

 

VERY few IMO bother with this. Believe it or not having an alarm company sign out front and the little stickers on the windows WILL deter most of the random junkie burglars. They;ll go for what seems more easy pickings. MOST of them unless they have a lot of time in the house arent going to look too closely, they'll go for bedroom drawers, and exposed jewelry boxes, and electronics, especially computers and game systems, anything that can be scooped up quickly. My suggestion, would be to put something like the shotgun mounts we use in the cars over your door, it can be easily locked when you're out of the house, and this way it'll be secure.

I always keep my cell phone on the nightstand just for that reason , cut phone lines.

I keep all but one handgun in a safe , I am concerned a burgler might find a larger weapon like a shotgun and if I happen to return home while he is there I might get shot with my own gun.

I always keep my cell phone on the nightstand just for that reason , cut phone lines.

I keep all but one handgun in a safe , I am concerned a burgler might find a larger weapon like a shotgun and if I happen to return home while he is there I might get shot with my own gun.

 

+1 for the cellphone

 

A woman here in Monroe Twp "acidentally" left her cellhpone on ehr nightstand. She usually doesnt do this, but brought it up with her that night. well, good accident! Someone cut her lines and trid to burglarize her and she was able to call the police

+1

 

Alarm on, cell phone on nightstand, 9mm with light/laser next to bed.

I always keep my cell phone on the nightstand just for that reason , cut phone lines.

I keep all but one handgun in a safe , I am concerned a burgler might find a larger weapon like a shotgun and if I happen to return home while he is there I might get shot with my own gun.

Sportsman's guide had a REALLY cool thing in their catalog a while back. It was a Coat rack with a shelf on yop..Very nicely finished (at least in the pictures) looked like a little mantlepiece with the coat hooks underneath, and a shelf on top. The Face of the Shelf area hinged down, with a lock on top not visible just looking at it, and it was JUST long enough to put a Mossberg Cruiser, or other short shotgun in it. I wanted on in the worst way, but the way my house is constructed i dont have a place to put it.

Someone with burglary investigation experience:If the bad guy is in the house for 5 minutes, will they find a long gun in the closet, above the door? Cannot be seen through an open door.

 

What else do they usually take? Do they cut phone (alarm) lines before entry? Do they return a second time?

 

 

NOT an LEO. Anywhere unusual you can think of to hide it is probably where they are going to be looking for jewlery/cash etc. You should look into a small gun cabinet and lag bolt it to the floor/wall. They take whatever they want, I don't think anyone wastes their time cutting alarm wires, and who knows if they come back.

 

 

VERY few IMO bother with this. Believe it or not having an alarm company sign out front and the little stickers on the windows WILL deter most of the random junkie burglars. They;ll go for what seems more easy pickings. MOST of them unless they have a lot of time in the house arent going to look too closely, they'll go for bedroom drawers, and exposed jewelry boxes, and electronics, especially computers and game systems, anything that can be scooped up quickly. My suggestion, would be to put something like the shotgun mounts we use in the cars over your door, it can be easily locked when you're out of the house, and this way it'll be secure.

 

Article in todays APP...

http://www.app.com/article/20091006/NEW ... hone+lines

 

Police say Manalapan burglar cut phone lines

 

MANALAPAN

First off, the vast majority of home burglaries occur during the daytime hours. They do not want to encounter a resident. A decent majority of burglaries are committed by person/s known to the homeowner or more likely, their kids. The items are stolen during the times the residents invite these people into the home.

 

Others are somewhat random but are done during the 10am to 2pm hours, give or take.

 

Phone lines are 60's technologies. An idiot actor which the majority are might cut them. But the reality of todays communications technologies have a much greater percentage of homeowners using broadband or cell technology for communications. So someone stupid enough to think that cutting the line ceases all communications or alarms really isn't too bright. Cutting the phone line in many installations is interpreted as a fault and is reported as such. A good deal of the alarms we responded on were due to a communication failure or some sort.

 

Quite frankly, if the guy is really that good, you will never know he came and went if he does chose the night time hours. In thirty years, I can only remember no more than a handful and the homeowner was not aware until the next day. All but two turned out to be people known to them as they targeted one specific area only someone with knowledge of the home would know of.

 

Lastly, keeping a loaded firearm unsecured in a closit or above the door? Don't think that's a very good idea especially if children or anyone else is in the home. While a actor might not find it, someone else just might with less than happy results.

First off, the vast majority of home burglaries occur during the daytime hours. They do not want to encounter a resident. A decent majority of burglaries are committed by person/s known to the homeowner or more likely, their kids. The items are stolen during the times the residents invite these people into the home.

 

Others are somewhat random but are done during the 10am to 2pm hours, give or take.

 

Phone lines are 60's technologies. An idiot actor which the majority are might cut them. But the reality of todays communications technologies have a much greater percentage of homeowners using broadband or cell technology for communications. So someone stupid enough to think that cutting the line ceases all communications or alarms really isn't too bright. Cutting the phone line in many installations is interpreted as a fault and is reported as such. A good deal of the alarms we responded on were due to a communication failure or some sort.

 

Quite frankly, if the guy is really that good, you will never know he came and went if he does chose the night time hours. In thirty years, I can only remember no more than a handful and the homeowner was not aware until the next day. All but two turned out to be people known to them as they targeted one specific area only someone with knowledge of the home would know of.

 

Lastly, keeping a loaded firearm unsecured in a closit or above the door? Don't think that's a very good idea especially if children or anyone else is in the home. While a actor might not find it, someone else just might with less than happy results.

 

EXCELLENT advice.

I wouldn't say excellent advice....The motto of the story is....don't protect yourself...

that's what you are telling us. Choices are made in life, such as protecting your family.

Material goods? Who cares about that crap....it's the family. If you say keeping a gun in the house is a bad idea, for protection....you are nuts. Calling the Police is a good idea..Waiting for them to arrive is a very bad idea.Something has to be done in the meantime...what do you suggest we do while we are waiting?

I think rscalzo is trying to say there is no reason to escalate a situation that could put you and your family in more danger. You're right, if someone wants to steal material items, then so be it... but I agree on the principle of deescalating a situation if possible. I know your counter to that is "how can we know if someone will inflict harm regardless?" and that's a valid point... its the same reason why I keep my firearms close at hand if need be...

Personally, I took it to mean this:

 

1) most burglaries occur in unoccupied residences

2) most burglars don't bother cutting phone lines

3) keeping a gun in 'arms reach' and unsecured when you are not home is potentially dangerous

4) Burglars know all the hiding spots, all you have to do is watch "It takes a thief" once on Discovery to know that.

 

Sincerely, I wouldn't want to have to list any of my firearms on a burglary report.

Read again:

 

Lastly, keeping a loaded firearm unsecured in a closit or above the door? Don't think that's a very good idea especially if children or anyone else is in the home. While a actor might not find it, someone else just might with less than happy results.

 

I think rscalzo was warning of children finding a loaded gun and having an accident.

retired LEO...................don't recall every observing cut phone wires. As stated, (depending on age) they go for unoccupied homes. Many ruses are used to see if anyone home. Daytime knock on door then hide to see if anyone answers or ask for a named person, knowing such person does not live there. Night time intruders merely try windows and doors to see if unlocked.

First place hit is usually the bedrooms. Money, jewels, tv's, etc. Then other rooms hit. Probably best secure place in a home is the attic. They don't go up there because they would not see or hear if someone comes home. Firearms....get a safe or the attic as a last resort................

continuing from 1644, above, had a teacher experience a break-in and some items taken. However, her expensive silver set was not touched. I had her put it in the attic. She was broken into a second time, but they did not get the silverware set. they did not go into the attic. What is stolen depends on how many intruders invade. Less intruders carry less. More intruders carry more. Intruders usually place items being taken at a back door. Had come upon such situtations a number of times. Lucky owner returned home before items carted away....................