Home Invasion
02-05-2006, 04:33 PM
I just found the following article which is the entire scope of this project:
Reposted from: http://www.wgal.com/houseandhome/3339790/detail.html
Home invasion robberies are scary -- threatening our belief that we are safest in our homes.
Entry is often dynamic -- relying on sheer force, false pretense, or various forms of impersonation. The violence associated with home invasion robbery generally occurs during the initial confrontation with victims, in order to establish control quickly.
Home invaders do not have to overcome residential alarm systems because most systems will not be activated while the residence is occupied. And, because they generally leave victims bound or incapacitated, offenders can rely on an ample period of time to escape from the crime scene.
Because the number of people in a residence and level of resistance they might encounter is rarely known in advance, the home invasions are almost always committed by more than one person.
Robbers often gain entry into a residence through an open garage door. Following a victim home from a nearby shopping center is also a method used by these robbers.
In most cases, however, the victim simply is duped into opening the door to the home invader through any number of ruses.
While some of the victims have been acquainted with the criminals, there are things anyone can do to lower their risk by making their home and neighborhood less attractive to a home invasion robbery:
Safety At Your Front Door
Never automatically open your front door. Have a peep hole and use it to see if you recognize the person.
If the person at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed under the door. If he is unable to do this, do not admit him.
If the person at the door is acting suspiciously, call the police.
Home Invasion Safety
All doors in your home leading to the outside should have deadbolt locks -- a must for robbery prevention.
When away at night, leave a light on.
Do not leave a key over a door or under a mat.
The single lock on a garage door is inadequate to keep home invaders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using "his" key.
Mark your valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable possessions.
When leaving on a trip:
Stop all deliveries.
Connect a light to a timer.
Notify the police and have a neighbor check your home periodically.
Be a concerned neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation, contact the police.
Safety For An Apartment
If you live in an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door, make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
Never admit anyone unless the person is known or expected.
Never admit anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to deliver something to another apartment.
Anyone asking admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should not be admitted, but should be referred to the building's manager.
If you see someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting suspiciously, contact the police.
If It Happens To You
If you are a victim of a home invasion robbery remember the following:
Stay calm.
Cooperate. No amount of cash or property is worth getting hurt over.
Don't fight back unless you determine that you are in danger of being killed. Instead, concentrate on getting information so you can be an effective witness.
Look carefully at the intruders, even if they are masked. Is there something unique about them such as scars, tattoos, large nose? What are they wearing? Listen to everything they say, and how they say it. Catch any distinguishing odors such as tobacco, alcohol, or aftershave.
Personal home safety means taking charge of your security at home and in the community. Involve your whole family in creating a personal home safety plan that fits your family needs. Get to know your neighbors and work with them to keep your neighborhood safe.
If you need more information on home invasion robbery prevention call the local police.
Reposted from: http://www.wgal.com/houseandhome/3339790/detail.html
Home invasion robberies are scary -- threatening our belief that we are safest in our homes.
Entry is often dynamic -- relying on sheer force, false pretense, or various forms of impersonation. The violence associated with home invasion robbery generally occurs during the initial confrontation with victims, in order to establish control quickly.
Home invaders do not have to overcome residential alarm systems because most systems will not be activated while the residence is occupied. And, because they generally leave victims bound or incapacitated, offenders can rely on an ample period of time to escape from the crime scene.
Because the number of people in a residence and level of resistance they might encounter is rarely known in advance, the home invasions are almost always committed by more than one person.
Robbers often gain entry into a residence through an open garage door. Following a victim home from a nearby shopping center is also a method used by these robbers.
In most cases, however, the victim simply is duped into opening the door to the home invader through any number of ruses.
While some of the victims have been acquainted with the criminals, there are things anyone can do to lower their risk by making their home and neighborhood less attractive to a home invasion robbery:
Safety At Your Front Door
Never automatically open your front door. Have a peep hole and use it to see if you recognize the person.
If the person at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed under the door. If he is unable to do this, do not admit him.
If the person at the door is acting suspiciously, call the police.
Home Invasion Safety
All doors in your home leading to the outside should have deadbolt locks -- a must for robbery prevention.
When away at night, leave a light on.
Do not leave a key over a door or under a mat.
The single lock on a garage door is inadequate to keep home invaders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using "his" key.
Mark your valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable possessions.
When leaving on a trip:
Stop all deliveries.
Connect a light to a timer.
Notify the police and have a neighbor check your home periodically.
Be a concerned neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation, contact the police.
Safety For An Apartment
If you live in an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door, make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
Never admit anyone unless the person is known or expected.
Never admit anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to deliver something to another apartment.
Anyone asking admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should not be admitted, but should be referred to the building's manager.
If you see someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting suspiciously, contact the police.
If It Happens To You
If you are a victim of a home invasion robbery remember the following:
Stay calm.
Cooperate. No amount of cash or property is worth getting hurt over.
Don't fight back unless you determine that you are in danger of being killed. Instead, concentrate on getting information so you can be an effective witness.
Look carefully at the intruders, even if they are masked. Is there something unique about them such as scars, tattoos, large nose? What are they wearing? Listen to everything they say, and how they say it. Catch any distinguishing odors such as tobacco, alcohol, or aftershave.
Personal home safety means taking charge of your security at home and in the community. Involve your whole family in creating a personal home safety plan that fits your family needs. Get to know your neighbors and work with them to keep your neighborhood safe.
If you need more information on home invasion robbery prevention call the local police.