Break in

[Excel]

I have a 2 story house with a garage attached at the front so when I park inside I can go directly to my garage entry door to the house. I went through the terrible earthquake in the Santa Cruz area in 1989 & was scared but not like the sheer terror I felt when I looked up from my bed to see this hooded person at my window standing on my garage roof. I screamed of course & then shouted I'm getting my gun....at which he ran & jumped off the roof into my neighbors yard (I found out later) & jumped again into the next yard. By the time the police arrived they (think there was 2 of them as someone tried to enter the rear upper story also by climbing on my patio roof to access the upper story rear bedroom)...anyway, cops were nice but could do nothing. Neighbor found foot prints & hand prints on the garbage can lids that the one used to leap over the fence, but cops weren't interested in that either. I am more than frightened as since my daughter died I live alone.... have not slept of course & don't know how I'll get through tonight. Going to have to get an alarm system, which I really can't afford but it appears I have no choice. Next thing is I'm going to buy a shot gun & learn how to use it.... that is, if no one comes back before I can legally purchase one. I am very, very upset. Just thought I'd post what I posted on the neighborhood 'Next Door' site. Wanted to alert those around me for their safety.
Going to get through this.. of course but my heart is beating a mile a minute & I'm shaky.... Cop said San Jose Is not the safe city it was 2 years ago & I should take all precautions I can..... comforting !

"About 1:00 AM today someone climbed on top of my garage roof to access my upstairs bedroom window which the small window was open. I happened to hear some scuffle like noises & looked up to see a hooded figure looking in at me.... I screamed & called out to get my gun which apparently scared him enough that he rushed off the garage roof & jumped into the neighbors yard & jumped the fence to the next house & ran off. My neighbor heard the noise but did not see anyone. This AM I found that they were trying to enter the house through the rear area by propping up a long bench in order to climb on my patio cover to gain entry to that 2nd floor bedroom window..... also a patio chair was shoved up on the rear concrete fence to allow for exiting that way. I did call the police & there was nothing much they could do. My neighbor has evidence of a footprint and fingerprints on the garbage can lids, but the police are not interested in that evidence.
I am posting in order to alert those that have 2 story houses to not be comfortable that no one will access the 2nd story.... they can. Be careful ...."

[BarbaraRose]

OMG!!! How terrifying! It is a shame that the police seem to have no interest in going after these guys. Doesn't make you feel any safer.
Yes, you need a security system ASAP! I wouldn't be able to sleep either, after seeing that!

Maybe you could also get some motion sensor lights on the garage roof and other areas that would turn on if someone was prowling around your house. And maybe a big dog...

[Yakn1]

That IS terrifying!
I agree with Barbie, at the least, try to get some motion sensor lights, they may think twice...

Just really glad that you and your home are physically okay. Maybe you have some close to come stay with you for a few days?

[VickieP]

Really a scary situation, but I'm glad you were able to scare them off. I hate to say it & I know some will disagree, but with the gun laws in CA, it may be a while before you can get a gun. Does anyone you know, have one you could use in the meantime? Anybody that could stay with you?

[mitch5252]

..
Oh, Char - that is really awful.

I'd definitely look into a security system. (should save 10%-15% on your insurance). My monitoring service is just under $10/month (paid annually).

I'm glad you weren't hurt, but I can't imagine looking up and seeing someone on my roof, peering in at me.
My gun would have been out in seconds.

Whatta world.

..

[cpatinjones]

Scary. I would at least get some motion detect flood lights.

[BarbaraRose]

Maybe even pepper spray or wasp spray if someone was to get inside. Or a big dog...

[avalen]

oh no, that really is scary. I agree on the motion sensors and gun, and a yappy dog wouldn't hurt either.
I'd be shaking too and I certainly hope you get some sleep.

[Bethers]

I agree with all above. But will add, if you aren't experienced with a gun, don't get it until you take a class on it or you'll be more than likely to put yourself in more danger. That's simply a fact. Someone I knew well had her own gun turned on her (the person got in the house without her hearing) and she was lucky to survive - but being raped and having her own gun held on her (the person wasn't armed until then) was worse - she said she might have fought him off if not for knowing that he had a gun and it was armed. She's never been the same since.

Get those motion lights right away and see about what an alarm system will cost - some aren't as bad as others. And I'm sooooooooo glad you did hear and you did scare them off. I don't understand why the police didn't take those prints and see if they could find the people. That scares me, too!

So sorry this happened to you. I remember how mad and then scared it made me to come home to discover a break-in. Have no idea how much harder it would have been to have been there.

[Excel]

Thanks for your comments...appreciate them. Motion lights are somewhat effective but the alarm system is the 1 thing I've been advised to have installed. My dog is no help because she loves everyone & doesn't bark...but runs to anyone wagging her tail & jumping up & down. Can't handle another dog (aggressive kind) & don't want to not have Missy so the 'guard' dog is out. I will be calling tomorrow for alarm service. Down all I could on the internet today & spoke to a couple of companies.... so expensive... around $40 a mo. on a 3 yr. contract (unbreakable contract)... some say to install yourself, some will install for a fee....I have 14 windows and any above 2 is considered 'extra' & you have to buy them.... some are wireless, but will have to install wired boxes in the walls... $$$$ and then others are install yourself... I don't know what to do. Then there's one system that you buy for around $400 but again you have to install yourself, but the mo. costs are I think $15.... & no contract. Don't know anything about the company so even with a money back guarantee...I don't know.
Have to say as tough a life as I've led, not many things scare me, but this has really taken it's toll. Can't stop shaking. Took my shower before it got dark cause I'm so afraid....don't want to turn on a radio or TV cause I'm afraid I won't hear if someone's trying to get in.....stupid I know, but I am so scared. Have no one that can stay with me & I know buying a gun will take at least a few weeks plus I will need to take a course for shot guns. Can handle a revolver but I don't want to kill someone (or miss & have it taken from me)... just want to scare them or whatever.... Worst of it is I need a window open for air, as it gets warm upstairs & of course can't do that.... I am virtually paralyzed... Anyhow, thanks for letting me share my fears... it helps....

[SoCalGalcas]

What a horrible experience....get those lights, then get a dog from a shelter. A dog, just barking is sometimes enough to scare away the kreeps.
I had a break in some years ago and still feel the pain of discovering it. So sorry for it happening to you. lyn

[Cougarfan]

How scary...

I found this at walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Swann-Window-and-Door-Magnetic-Alarms-SW351-MD2-2pk/19236072

I don't know how well they work but would imagine anything that makes a loud noise would wake you up and scare them away. They have a package of 8 for about $52 so that might be an option as well.

Laura

[Bethers]

Some of the alarms allow a window open a couple inches - and you can get the bars like for patio doors for windows to not allow them to open further. That alone might be a deterrent so you could not alarm every window. Just a thought.

So sorry and yes, I do understand. I didn't sleep for a few days and I wasn't home -

Laura's post came in as I was writing, that window alarm might be workable, too.

[mitch5252]

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You don't need an alarm on EVERY window - strategically placed motion sensors will cover the windows. (And they're "dog friendly" - mine are up to 40 pounds). You want all your doors covered, but not the windows. Now that I think about it - NONE of my windows are covered by a contact sensor - they're all covered by motion sensors.

Gosh, I wish I lived closer. We'd get 'er done together.

However, the more I think about it - the more you should have it professionally installed. Programming the control panel is not for the faint of heart. I just wish you could find a company that will do the install and let you get your own monitoring service. To have the monitoring service, you have to tie the system into your phone line - if there is a breach, the system takes control of the phone line. Some people don't bother having a monitoring service - they figure the screaming siren will be enough to scare the SOB away.

I like the idea of motion sensing lights, too, although the alarm system is more reliable. My motion lights get funky if it's humid outside.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

[JoanE]

What a horrible experience. I've had two homes burglarized in good neighborhoods. Luckily we were not home in either case but it still made me uneasy.

Motion lights are a deterent. Big dogs are a deterent. But burglars know that they have quite a bit of time to finish their job after an alarm sounds, so that is not a guarantee. Also an alarm does not mean the police are coming. We had ADT. What a joke.

Nasty plants, ones with thorns or sharp spokes, near windows are also deterents. A neighborhood watch could help too.