Home Invasion Security

Over the years I have taught hundreds of classes covering residential or home security. In each of the classes, I use local examples of crime to try to re-enforce the threat to my students. One of the issues I come across is the standard, “It wont happen to me.” The second is that, “If I am home with the lights on, I am safe”. A Home Invasion is defined as “burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home,” and it typically leads to other crimes once the intruder or intruders have entered the home, sometimes as serious as sexual assault, rape or murder. Home invasion robbers are more dangerous than other burglars because they want a confrontation, use violence, and do not feel they are pressed for time to get out of your home immediately. In contrast, traditional burglars operate when a resident is not home because they want to avoid a confrontation and usually will flee when approached. Often times, alarm signs and decals, bars on windows, strong locks and doors, big dogs and alert neighbors can deter a traditional burglar. Most traditional burglars resort to violence only if they are cornered and will use force as an escape. Most incidents of burglary do not result in violence, even when the burglar is discovered. This is not the case with home invasion robbers.

According to a United States Department of Justice report:

• 38 percent of assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during home invasions
• One in five homes undergoes a home invasion or break-in
• There are more than 8,000 home invasions every day in North America
• 50 percent of home invasions involve the use of a weapon; the most common weapons used are knives or other cutting instruments
• In 48 percent of home invasions, victims sustain physical injuries
• Victims age 60 or older make up 17 percent of home invasion victims
• In 68 percent of home invasions, victims and the accused are strangers; in 11 percent of these cases, victims and the accused are friends, business associates, or family

Some of the more common methods used to gain entry during a Home Invasion are:
Deception - This is where the suspect(s) will try to trick the resident into opening the door by claiming a fake emergency, a sales pitch, a package delivery, telling you they have damaged your car, etc. Once the resident opens the door, the suspect(s) will force their way inside.
Force- The suspect(s) will actually kick-in or smash-in at the point of entry into the home. This could be the front home door, a side or back door, or the door leading into the home from the garage. The resident can be taken completely by surprise when this occurs.
Stealth - The suspect(s) gain entry quietly into the home and then confronts the resident inside the home. The homeowner is completely unaware that entry has been made until the confrontation.

Remember these important security steps:

• Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
• Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times, even when you are home.
• Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame
• Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door. If possible, get a wide angle or “Fish eye” type peephole.
• Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
• Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
• Never open the door to strangers or solicitors. Most home invaders knock on the front door to gain entry.
• Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
• Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
• Always have a verbal response to any knock. Avoid giving the impression that your home is unoccupied. This could be a ploy of the home invader or a burglar to find out if your home is empty. Make sure to teach your children what to say so they do not give the impression they are home alone. Know in advance what your response should be and practice it with other family members.
• Have an escape plan in mind for your family. Train family members on where to go and what to say. This plan should include your children. If someone can escape, the invaders will have lost their advantage of privacy and time.
• Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one
• Don’t fight over property with an intruder. Let them have the property; it is not worth your life and can be replaced. Never follow the intruder from scene, call 911 immediately and get the best description you can.
• Consider a high quality security screen door or enclosed porch/entry way to maintain a barrier between you and the door knocker. This is especially helpful if the door is opened without verifying because there will still be some protection between you and the other person
• Keep an eye on anyone you turn away and what they do next. Report anyone who hangs around, tries to get a neighbor to open their door, or otherwise acts suspiciously. They might have left your property, but they could still be a threat to others. Notify the police if necessary and ask that this individual be checked out

There are two more things you can do. First is to get some training. The Personal Protection in the Home and Refuse To Be A Victim (RTBAV) are both great classes. Last is to get a security consultant to conduct a security survey of your home. He/She will be able to give you more great tips as well as how to implement them in your daily lives.

Good luck, and stay Safe!