Break in

[snowball]

what an awful experience so sorry you had to go through it...but glad that they didn't get in....
hope you can calm down and find the right system for you ...lots of decisions to make...too bad
that you don't have some one that can come visit for a bit...I would think that the motion sensors
would help some I have them on my outside light although you have to reset them every once in awhile
again so sorry for you take care ok
sheila

[Irmi]

I am so sorry this happened! Another type of security system, which my brother has on his property, is mounting the two, or more, laser beam monitors outside, strategically placed. Whenever anyone walks in between the two monitors and breaks the beam, an alarm will go off in your house letting you know someone is on your property. This system is weatherproof and almost fool proof. It might be worth investigating.

[mitch5252]

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.

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I've had quite the opposite experience with my alarm company. They're great. They call when batteries go low, they call if I can't turn off the alarm in time (from an accidental set off...George used to do that quite a bit.) Out here - the police DO come. Came home one day to find the driveway filled with cops and neighbors. A sensor had fallen off a wall (motion detector using changes in temperature) and set off the alarm. Scared the heck out of us as we pulled in the driveway. Cops came in the house with us to check it out.

And when that monster siren goes off, well, the neighbors will be here in a flash. They're all armed. It's the south, after all. The screeching siren will also make sure the homeowner is awake, and accessing her/his gun (thief doesn't know if there's a gun or not). I'm a big fan of my alarm system, for me anyway.

I agree that ADT is a scam type company.
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[Redetotry]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Could you teach your dog to bark, you could try by making a big fuss and getting excited when someone comes to the door, if she barks give her a treat. The other thing would if you could adopt another dog that does bark, it doesn't have to be a big one, just one that barks. The noise alone will sometimes scare a thief away because they figure they have alerted anyone inside. Do get a gun and and please take a class. I would get one for each floor of your house. Can you go meet up with a friend in your RV and camp for awhile. ((((((HUGS)))))

[dayspring39]

How scary... sure wish you were closer would occupy your couch for awhile... would not be much help otherwise...
My Shadow is my alarm... he even barks at family...
My neighbor has a motion detector on her shed it is set too low so goes off with rabbits and squirrels... it does not bother me as I have room darkening shades...
Take care and be ever so cautious...
Kathleen

[monik7]

I live in Dublin not far from you. Grew up in the Santa Clara Valley. If you need help, let me know.
Sandi

[Travelinana]

Do what you have to do to get peace of mind...You need the alarm system, then you can leave your house without worrying and get a gun...here in AR we have the underground, if you want a gun you can get one. Don't worry about scaring them, shoot at the largest target on their body (torso) and hope it hits a vital organ...this you will learn this in the concealed weapon class if you take one. Maybe you would feel better with a boarder...If my brother and his son decide to move into their own place later, I will probably look for a boarder. This is really traumatic and we are all concerned for you as you have found out....

[Christine]

Wow way to scarry!! I am so glad he ran off and didnt try to bulldoze his way into your home!! Its so violating to have that happen.. I am glad everything is ok for now... Yes a security system is needed!!

I had a person cut thru my yard by jumping my 6ft wooden fence early in the morning.. the dog alerted me but i did get out and screamed at him.... I got motion light for the back.. but now i make sure i know my own surroundings, but it cant be a 24 hr thing either... I have wasp spray by my bed just in case....

[Rufflesgurl]

Char - So sorry you are going through this hideous situation! Many years ago when I lived in very nice neighborhood in San Jose, my house was broken into in the middle of the day. I then got a professionally installed and monitored alarm system which I used. When I moved into the new house I now live in also in a very nice area, one of the first things I had installed was an alarm system and I use it!! Not too long ago, I was at church on Saturday night and came home (7:30 PM) to all these people in front of my house, 3 cop cars and my alarm blasting. The cops went into the house and checked it out thoroughly and my dogs were barking like crazy (the very loud alarm scared them!!). Turned out to be a sensor needed replacing - got that repaired as soon as possible and everything is working again. It is well worth the $264/yr monitoring fee. If I don't respond to the alarm going off, the police are notified and in this small community, they respond very quickly. Oh, and I live in a pretty much crime free community.

It's a very scarey thing to have your space violated. Take care and consider some type of alarm/security system and the other suggestions mentioned above. It is worth it for the peace of mind!!!!

Linda

[JudyJB]

You will have to decide if you want monitoring, but I had an alarm system installed in my condo and did NOT have it monitored. It meant I had to buy the system, but I was afraid of false alarms and figured in a condo complex the loud noise would have been plenty to scare off someone and get the attention of everyone else!

For me, because I knew my neighbors so well and they knew me, it worked fine. You may want to consider your neighborhood and a lot of other things in your decision.

[RitaMc]

My son purchased a video camera and mounted it over the garage door facing down to the driveway and alley. Keeps burglars driving the dark alley casing the homes away. They are relatively cheap. A reputable alarm company will call the police. Look for another company. The peace of mind you get will be well worth the cost. I'm sure this was a horribly frightening experience for you. Is there someone who could come stay with you for a few days until you regain your equilibrium? Take are of yourself

[Sandersmr]

You will have to decide if you want monitoring, but I had an alarm system installed in my condo and did NOT have it monitored. It meant I had to buy the system, but I was afraid of false alarms and figured in a condo complex the loud noise would have been plenty to scare off someone and get the attention of everyone else!

For me, because I knew my neighbors so well and they knew me, it worked fine. You may want to consider your neighborhood and a lot of other things in your decision.

A couple of us were meeting at a friend's condo to go out of town. She had to run to the store for something so left me at her condo to wait for the third person. He showed up, I opened the door and the stupid alarm went off. She had set it out of habit. Well, that thing went off for approximately 30 minutes and no one from the condos around or management office showed up. It was totally useless - well, except to make me hard of hearing for quite a while.

[Olive600]

There are so many options. I don't know anything about alarms or warning systems, but this thread sure has me thinking about it. Char, I'm so sorry you've experienced this trauma. I hope you're taking care of yourself, doing things that help you feel safe and get some sleep. Many of my neighbors have motion detectors connected to really bright lights and cameras and alarms systems. I've always thought that was just a little over the top. Now I'm not so sure. I'll check into getting something before I start to travel regularly. My neighborhood has gone downhill over the past few years.

Please take care of yourself. Stuff you can replace, your peace of mind and health are more important.

Nikki

[Excel]

I am so grateful for your comments.... makes me feel not so alone. I just got back from purchasing a shot gun... it appears this particular one is so popular that they have to order it....but it will be here by the time my 10 days waiting period is over... son is going to bring his gun over tonight till I get mine. One of the things that enter your mind instantly, at least in my case, is if he decides to break through that window I'm totally defenseless. So now I won't feel that sense of fear as much. I've talked to ADT & that is a scam indeed. They want $49.95 a mo. for 3 yrs.... to cover all my bases.. non-cancelable.. So I'm going to go with either Life Shield at $40 a mo. for 3 yrs.. or SimpliSafe ? Does anyone now anything about them ? SimpliSafe is one that you buy & self install...it's around $575, but you own it & can take it with you if you move. Monitoring is $14 a mo. & you don't have to buy that if you don't want to. No contract. The installation is easy.
Did not sleep well last night but did put a sign in my back yard on my window....silly but it made me feel better. It says.. Next time I'll shoot first THEN call the police...
Thanks again for all the comforting thoughts... BTW.... another dog is not a road I can travel...have room for this one, but not another... but that's okay.... she loves me & she's a good dog... just a little (lot) friendly.....
Thanks again....Blessings to all....

[mitch5252]

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Char, I was looking at the SimpliSafe system. Looks okay. I didn't look very closely, nor did I search out independent reviews.
Might be worth looking into further.

I couldn't find where the monitoring is $14.95/month, but is there also some monthly fee for the cellular connection?

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