By Kathryn Lilley
Well, Friends, I’m sorry for posting in such a rush and being a tad tardy (again!). We came home from a fantastic vacation on the East Coast, but dis covered the following iSpurs when we arrived home:
- A kitchen leak that warped the hardwood floor (why home builders insist on putting hardwood floors into moisture/spill-prone kitchen environments, I will never understand). Maybe we need a professional to look at our pipelining, my friend told me that spartan plumbing pipelining installation was well priced and effective at reducing the chance of future leaks.
- One of our cars that was parked in the driveway was ransacked, but otherwise undamaged.
- Our vault was broken into; only one item was taken, so it appears to have been a targeted theft, according to police investigators.
SO…we’ve spent the last couple of days being interviewed by police, reviewing security camera footage, etc. NOT the best homecoming in our family’s history, but hey, we’re alive and healthy, so it’s all good.
Probably time to replace the locks and implement some decent security precautions around the home just to be on the safe side… Contacting someone like a sandy springs ga locksmith is high on my agenda of things to do now.
Meanwhile, I’m casting around for additional security measures to install. We already have quite a few: 1) a monitored alarm system with multiple, motion-activated, infrared capable interior cameras; 2) motion activated LED/infrared cameras (with two-way talk capability) ringing the entire exterior property perimeter; 3) a large, barking, VERY intimidating wolf-like dog who is by nature suspicious of strangers (unfortunately, Mr. K9 Centurion was on Doggie Vacay while we were out of town, so he was off duty during the burglary.)
What else is there to do? I have to admit my thoughts are currently straying to the Dark Side related to self protection strategies at this particular point. Most of my immediate southern family clan (female relatives included), are NRA trained, concealed weapons-licensed owners. After this experience, I may embrace, however reluctantly, the option of personal gun ownership. I think I would feel quite safe taking a gun out with me especially if it was in one of those best concealed carry purses. (Full disclosure: I was raised in the Deep South, which by cultralight traditional included constant exposure to gun ownership. Skeet shooting, target range practice, gun safety training, I did it all. (I drew the line at hunting, however? Even when I was taken hunting at age six, I obstinately refused to kill other living beings. (I had just watched Bambi). To this day, I Refuse to eat anything with two feet or four feet).
My Southern upbringing inevitably led to some…er, complications later in life. Ex: When I was a freshman at Wellesley College, I thought I was being SO clever and an anti-liberal iconoclast by posting examples of my best target shooting examples on my dorm room door. Hah! If I tried something like THAT nowadays, I’d probably be sent straight to Mental Health for an emergency psych evaluation, and possibly expelled.
But back in those days, the entire episode was written off by the Wellesley Grandees as nothing more than a Southern country girl’s eccentric expression of door regalia.). (There Was one fallout from the whole target display thing, however. My sophisticated freshman roommate, who hailed from New York City, requested–and was granted–an immediate transfer to a different dorm room. Far Away from me. I chalked up her hasty retreat as a personal triumph, because I’d always thought she was a bit of a pseudo-intellectual, condescending brat. Plus it left me with a much sought-after single room, an unheard of privilege for freshman students).
But back to you: Have you ever been a victim of a burglary or other type of traumatic crime? Did any of that experience work its way into your stories? Or, have you upgraded your home or self defense strategies in response to a particular incident? Do you draw the line at any particular point, like carrying firearms?
Our back yard cannon obviously didn’t prove to be a deterrent.
Ceremonial antique cannon
Oh how terrible, Kathryn. Glad you were gone though. Put your sleuth hat on to figure out who knew you’d be gone.
I feel better having a monitored alarm. I use it whenever I’m out of the house and at night when I’m home. They have cell phone apps that allow you to monitor your house from afar with video so you can see what’s happening as it’s happening. I’ve never used anything like this but it seems worthy of checking it out.
I’d invest in motion sensor lights on your property.
Security cameras can be a deterrent. Look for a good quality set up that can record at night. If a criminal has a choice in what house to break into, they tend to avoid well-lighted monitored camera surveilled locations. We even had one camera on our interior. People notice when you have them.
Your car might’ve been teens at night. I keep my vehicle locked in a garage, and certainly set the car alarm when not driving it.
My dogs are a big help when they’re home. Like you, mine go on vacay when I do.
You might also think about setting up interior lamps or exterior lights on a timer so it looks ae if you’re home.
So sorry you went through this. Make your home more secure and you’ll feel a little more in control. Hang in there.
We have all of those systems, Jordan. I’m considering last resort options at this point. ☠???⚡️?
Yes, twice. The first time (I was living in LA, this happened at the family home) my dad was out of the country and my mom was at work. The burglar entered through the cat’s entrance (which took some doing, no doubt). He fumbled with my dad’s itinerary, no doubt thinking he had plenty of time to ransack the place. He did. The most notable thing he took was my mother’s Cadillac, the land yacht that had been her father’s. He then proceeded to use it in a series of crimes and hit and runs. He probably couldn’t handle its size (thanks to that car I am the World’s Greatest Parallel Parker). The police would call and ask if we had recovered the car after each incident. They finally got the thief and the car. He insisted he had not stolen it, that he had “found” it. Yeah. In our garage.
The second time was several years later in a different house. My dad came home and couldn’t figure out why my (indoor only) cat was outside and the sliding door locked. He retrieved the cat and fixed the sliding door. When my mother got home she immediately noticed all the dresser drawers were slightly open. I then arrived and instantly noticed my stereo, tv, and loads of jewelry, etc. missing. It was bad. The police were most concerned about the theft of my grandfather’s pearl-handled pistol. Gun thefts don’t go well. The thieves were a pair of junkies who committed a whole string of burglaries in the neighborhood. When they were caught our stuff was not among the items in their possession. I searched pawnshops for months looking for the family heirloom jewelry to no avail.
As an aside/follow up: a couple of months ago I visited a cousin of mine. I told him about this burglary. Growing up he’d heard tales of our grandfather pulling that pearl-handled pistol on people. He’d never seen it, nor had any of his siblings or other nearby cousins, so he just assumed it was a family legend not rooted in fact. He was blown away that the gun had really existed.
Bummer about your homecoming.
Once upon a time my great grandmother was stopped on the road and asked for directions by a couple of strangers. She pulled a pistol out of her ladies hand muff and waved it it the direction of the nearest village. Needless to say, her interrogators beat a hasty retreat. ?
P.s. I am named after my great grandmother and have been trying to keep whatever aggressive Genes I inherited from her clan in check Lo these many years. I am about to give up that self-imposed restraint. I hail from gun to tin’ clans on just about every family line that contributed my DNA. I’ll updat the post with a picture of a civil war era cannon in our back yard. It’s only ceremonial, that one, but there’s lots more where that one comes from, lol.
My Dear Aunt (a very Southern Belle lady who lives in Mobile, Alabama), was attacked in her back yard (where she was gardening) years ago by a pair of teenage intruders. They shot her in the back. To this day, she is a wheelchair-bound paraplegic. Needless to say, all the women in my immediate family are armed, firearm trained, and members of the NRA. I WAS THE LAST HOLDOUT. I am now making plans to join my family Souuthern Ladies GunTotin’ club. We’ll see how that works out!
Oh, Kathryn, this is dreadful news. I’m sorry. What a violation.
When my husband and I first started dating, his apartment was broken into and they took everything, including small appliances and fans. He hadn’t even been living there very long. Fortunately he had no heirlooms or firearms. The police eventually discovered the thief was his LANDLORD. The guy was responsible for many break ins in the neighborhood, and kept everything stored in his garage. Never pawned or sold anything. He’d even come by with the police as my husband was out of town when the neighbors discovered the break in. Definitely some mental illness involved there.
Laura, my daughter was burglarized TWICE (they also never found the firearms, thank goodness!). After the second time she installed motion activated cameras, a monitored alarm, and since then had no more problems. She found a picture the defus thief who uploaded a picture to the cloud on her stolen iPad; she was going to try to track down the thief HERSELF (until the detective (and me) told her in NO uncertain terms not to confront the offender, sheesh! What a world we live in!
Egads! What a rotten thing to have happen. I’m sorry.
Thanks BK! Sorry to say, I am renewing my NRA membership, so next prowler, beware! ??
Thanks BK! I am moving way past Rotten Experience reaction to proactive self-defense mode. I have been holding off on this modus operandi due to stated reservations by my fellow loved ones (I believe my fellow loved ones are worried about my hotheaded Irish-Scottish temper). All bets are off now, however. and the lady-like gloves are coming off.
I experienced a theft back in the 70s — lost my sterling silverware and a few pieces of jewelry that had sentimental value but very little dollar value. I’m pretty sure it was a kid from the neighborhood, but I never found out for sure.
I am still reviewing our motion activated camera clips. If I find the culprit, they better leave town, or turn themselves into the police for their own protection,
I’ve lived and owned houses in Canada (I’m a Canadian) and in Mexico (for 16 years now), and have never had a security system of any kind, although in Mexico it is customary to put wrought-iron and decorative ‘grates’ on your windows.
One break-and-enter in Canada, an opportunity B&E because the house had 17 exterior doors (don’t ask, but not a fancy house), and we’d left an obvious one unlocked. Only booze, a bicycle, the electronics (but not computers, strangely), a vacuum cleaner, and one carving were stolen. Probably teenagers “furnishing” their first pad. BTW, the insurance adjuster was a wonderful man who made me feel as though I was doing him a huge favor simply by providing the information I was required to give anyway.
I’m currently renovating my home in Cancun, and the only thing I’m thinking of doing is putting a security camera on the roof because of the teenagers living in the house a few doors away… they love to steal electricity and water, and those services are on the roof.
For those who think Mexico is a dangerous place to live, statistically the US is far more dangerous, although as in any country there are some neighborhoods more dangerous than others.
This is not to say that I won’t consider additional security measures (other than the common sense I use now) in the future because I believe the world generally is becoming more dangerous.
An unloaded, pump-action shotgun under the bed might be one interesting safety measure (with no ammunition in the house) because the pumping sound carries really well in the night and is likely to scare away most intruders.
I suppose I might consider a gun at some point (I was a competitive skeet shooter for a while and shot put-and-release upland game with a beloved German Wire-Haired Pointer), although statistically it’s more likely to be used against me even if I spend time on a weekly basis to improve and maintain my skills. However, I much prefer having a dog… and I do. She’s a great early-warning system.
In Canada, we have sensible controls on gun ownership. I do find it somewhat terrifying how readily Americans turn to guns as a means of self-protection and home defense. The best explanation I’ve read for Americans’ love of guns is their ubiquity and a misinterpretation of the Second Amendment.
I absolutely adore the stories of Americans shooting themselves, especially those stories of men shooting their penises. Sorry, guys, but that comment does not apply to all men, some of whom actually think with their brains.
However, my heart breaks every time I read a story about kids and guns.
Yes, how about a law prohibiting non-law enforcement males from owning firearms? Sorry my guy friends, that was
a joke. (Sort of) ??☠
So sorry about that extremely rude homecoming, Kathryn. I hope everything is quickly resolved.
To answer your question about traumatic crimes, only in New York when I was in graduate school. Never since. Especially not where we live now, for three reasons.
1. Montana. Open carry generally allowed
2. Concealed carry permits.
3. Good training in both marksmanship and firearm law.
Owning a gun is not only a Second Amendment freedom, it’s an awesome responsibility. We do not do it lightly.
Dogs are the best.
I picture a Wild West scenario in our future.
Accidental shootings caused by overreacting are permanent. Ask law enforcement.
Every woman who’s ever been scorned and owns a gun.
A paranoid person who see a movement that gets their adrenaline pumping.
More road rage shootings.
A spouse upset about the condition of their divorce.
A vigilante who judges a kid in puberty as a “hoodlum.”
Oh wait…that’s already happening.
Oh Kathryn, I’m so sorry. What a lousy homecoming! Glad you’re safe!
We used to live in a very nice neighborhood in San Diego and endured probably half a dozen attempted break-ins a year. This was despite iron bars, drive-by patrol service, a six-foot fence, and a 90 lb. German Shorthair. Our sophisticated, multi-level alarm system covered window screens, doors, pressure pads in the floor, infra-red beams, etc., etc. Would-be thieves kept coming back as if playing a game. They’d bypass one level, then get caught by the next. They never actually got anything. But…
…one time, a gang posing as landscapers cornered our dog in the yard and severely beat him with a pole saw (we learned that later). He survived, but was never the same. They could have taken the TV, silverware, cars, but don’t mess with my dog! Those thugs are truly lucky we didn’t catch them. There was a deep deserted canyon behind our house and, at the time, we owned a backhoe.
As a college student, I was rabidly anti-gun, believing guns were like cobras that could strike spontaneously w/o warning. Then I met my husband who patiently showed me how a gun was simply a tool, like a hammer, and not inherently imbued with evil. If misused, it could cause harm, but it wouldn’t jump up on its own and attack someone. Once I learned how to handle one safely, I became proficient and really enjoyed target shooting. Neither of us ever hunted b/c he wouldn’t kill an animal unless we needed to eat, and I’d seen “Bambi.”
I was generally anti-hunting until we moved to Montana, where I realized many people depended on it to provide meat for their families they could not otherwise afford. Still don’t hunt, but understand people who do, although I dislike trophy hunting.
With rights come responsibilities, as Carol stated. If one chooses to have a gun, one MUST learn how to safely and responsibly operate it, as well as keep it away from children and thieves. The much-maligned NRA offers excellent gun safety courses for all ages. If you’re not willing meet the responsibilities, you shouldn’t own one.
In an era where police response time may be dangerously long, more people (especially women) realize they need to be self-reliant and take responsibility for their own safety and that of their families.
What a lousy homecoming, Kathryn, but glad you and yours are safe. When Don and I lived in an iffy St. Louis city neighborhood, a gluehead put a cinderblock through the window of my Volvo (yes, I’m a liberal) late at night. One of the investigating officers asked me — in front of Don — “Are you having an affair, lady?” I wasn’t, but what did this Sherlock expect me to say: “Why yes, officer, I’m fresh back from the No-Tell Hotel, and I just told George I didn’t want to see him any more”?
Kathryn, I’m really sorry to hear about this. It’s a personal violation, pure and simple. I hope you don’t have a problem getting your concealed carry permit (if you do, come to Ohio…we’re SHALL ISSUE here) and if you need/want advice about a good firearm for concealed carry please email me (though it sounds like you can just call a relative).
As far as preventing a burglary like this…there are things you can do.
1) Do not post pictures of yourself as you vacation or whatever halfway across the country, or out of it, if you don’t have anyone at home staying on premise. People actually watch for these posts and use them accordingly to determine potential break-in sites. Post the photos, etc. after you get home.
2) Arrange with your neighbors to keep an eye on each others’ property and if you see something untoward either call the police or, if you have the force of personality, politely confront the potentially untoward person and find out what they’re doing. My neighbors call me the enforcement arm of our subdivision blockwatch group.
3) Keep blinds closed when you are gone and do so intermittently when you are home. Change up the routine so that your pattern won’t demonstrate whether you are home or not.
4) Electric timers are becoming more and more sophisticated and are relatively inexpensive. Set lamps, radios, etc. to go off and on at irregular times in different rooms each day that you are gone.
5) A car parked in a driveway for several days is a good sign that no one is home. Park it in the garage if possible. If not, park it offsite, preferably in a secured lot.
6) Before you leave, put glass tables, etc, in front of windows, glass doors, etc. blocking them. It won’t stop someone who is super-motivated but the casual burglar looking for a quick score will turn away in search of easier entry elsewhere.
7) Motion activated security lights are terrific. There are some that have voice recorders (“Your presence is unauthorized. The police have been called!”) but this would be problematic if you have wildlife in the area.
Hope that helps. Again, I’m sorry this happened to you.