Frustrated

[Daniel]

Someone is casing my house.

My wife noticed a truck in our driveway parked in front of our garage doors. I think it was Friday night around 7:30. Our garage entrance is in the rear of the house so the driveway buttonhooks into it with an area for exterior parking on the backside of the house. The frontside exterior lights were off and we keep our blinds closed which I guess gives the appearance of no one being home. After a few minutes the vehicle started to back out so my wife went to the front and peeked out to get a better look at the vehicle. The truck stopped and she saw someone point towards her. She didn't specify but this leads me to believe that the vehicle had two occupants. During this time she called her parents who live nearby, a neighbor, and the Williamson County SD non emergency number. They sent a car out who arrived after my FiL. They spoke with the Deputy and she informed him what had happened and that I was out of the country. He asked if she had a firearm and if she knew how to use it. When she said no (she has heretofore refused any suggestion to learn) he told her that WCSD conducts safety classes.

My FiL installed a camera that records the driveway. I am not sure if it uses motion detection or if it is constant but either way she said that today about half an hour after her and my two children left the house a different car but with a driver of the same race pulled in and did the same thing. She did not get a good look at the first driver so she is not sure if it is the same man or not. I advised her to move my firearms to her father's house. Without my guns we really do not have anything to steal besides a couple of TVs and my computer. My wife has never been in to jewelry and we don't keep cash in the house besides some change jars. I do not have a stereo or anything but a burglar wouldn't know any of this.

Nothing I can do really. Im not going to be out of here for awhile yet. Sucks.

[Guest capt usa]

Nothing I hate more than a thief. I'd tell her to let them have what's in the garage and be a good witness but be ready if they decide to enter the house while they're home. Can she do stuff to make it look like someone's at home at all times? Play the tv or radio even when they're not home, lay the phone off the hook so it doesn't ring, keep outside lights on at night, etc. A dog would come in handy also.

A plus for the officer too, for letting her know about the classes.

[TMF]

Need some field expedient spike strips in the driveway.

[Daniel]

Spike strips were a suggestion of one of my soldiers.

Edited August 12, 2012 by Daniel

[Dolomite_supafly]

Something my wife and I have talked about is if we come home to someone in our house. I am not sure it would help in your case but being able to block the bad guy in could help catch him. There is no way to get around a car parked in our driveway so if we come home to a car at our house we are just going to park our car in the drive and walk to a neighbors as I call 911. Maybe your wife can do the same that way they get caught at least.

Cameras are a good idea but a long with that I would let it be known there are cameras. Preventing a break in is more important that trying to catch them after the fact and get your stuff back. Beware of dog signs are also a great deterrent even if you do not have a dog.

I would be willing to bet a beware of dog sign, a cameras on premises sign and a alarm company sign would likely send the bad guys elsewhere. I would not put them all in the same place either as if staged, maybe the flashiest one out front then the others around the back where they are pulling into. The flashy one out front could also deter other bad guys as they are driving around looking for a place to break into.

Dolomite

[TMF]

Your house ain't on the market, is it? Neighborhood or in the country?

I had an alarm system put in before leaving on the first rotation after buying my house. I can't describe to you the peace of mind that gives me when I'm away. We have an additional panel in the bedroom so she has a panic button that can be pressed in addition to having a cell to call 911.

I even sleep a little more sound at night when I'm home because I'm not getting out of bed to investigate every creak or sound I hear. The alarm is the first line of defense against intruders and serves as an early warning system for me to get ready to rock. If they ain't gone by the time I find them they are toast. I figure if they keep coming with a 130db+ alarm going off, they are there to hurt me.

[Daniel]

Not on the market. I live in Franklin but not in Franklin. It is a neighborhood. We do not own the house. It belongs to my in-laws.

[TMF]

I'd get an alarm system. It's worth the money. I have a wife and two little ones that I can't protect when I leave from time to time. Although we have friends and neighbors that keep an eye on each other, it doesn't compare to having an alarm go off to scare away criminals if they try to enter and know that police are on their way shortly.

My wife isn't into guns either, so I get her to shoot when I can. I just changed out her home defense gun from a Sig to a Glock because the concept of a decocker was something too complicated for her, and something I know she isn't going to think about if she has to use it. Her training is limited to understanding the function of it and proper safe handling. Beyond that, I know that if she has to pull that trigger whomever is on the receiving end is not going to want to play anymore, whether they get hit or not. Criminals aren't willing to get shot over something they can get somewhere else. If they still want to try, at least she has 16 chances to hit them. Since I can't convince her to carry she has one of those Kimber Pepperblasters. They shoot out hard enough that you don't have to be that close to hit them and even if you miss their face and hit the body the fumes will have good effect on target.

[Daniel]

I suggested she keep my S&W 637 or Sig P6 on her in an email today.

[Jonnin]

You only hope he is casing your house and not looking at your wife. Get HER out of there, or get some family to keep tabs on her. Also alert the police and ask for a patrol to swing by if possible for a few days.

[mikegideon]

Daniel,

Most of the alarm companies will install a system for free to get the monthly monitoring contract. It's probably worth it while she's there by herself. Just get a system with keyfobs so she doen't have to learn much to operate it.

[QuietDan]

Video cameras and motion-sensing floodlights, and what others have written before. Also, get on the Sheriff's list for officer's drive-bys. Have you mentioned this threat to the neighbors? Perhaps they are being cased as well, then you have mutual defense and warning.

When we faced this type of trouble, we got my wife a 12-guage and she took it to the range. She selected it and it is hers. She's little, so she doesn't shoot it from the shoulder, she shoots it from her waist, but for short distances she's accurate and lethal. And her confidence went waaaaay up. She fires it with a look of grim determination that scares ME.

If you are out of position, I imagine your FiL, trusted friend or professional could administer the training.

[Guest FIST]

Not that it isn't possible, but what kind of bad guy would risk being seen in the drive way? I'm not for a second doubting the concern as I would be equally so in this situation. It just seems weird to park in a driveway of a house you intend to commit a crime at. Then again, I'm not a POS criminal so I have trouble rationalizing any of their behavior.

On the other hand, I have a 120lb French Mastiff I would loan you if you feed him. I'm in Clarksville and would be willing to bring him down if your wife's a dog person. He's great with my kids so no worries there, I would just need him back

If you need any help with anything I am officially offering my services. My wife and I would be more than willing to help out as we have been in a similar spot before (Down Range) and know how it feels.

Edited August 12, 2012 by FIST

[Pain103]

Well the truth is most residential burglaries happen during the day while people are at work. The lights are good at night and are more of a comfort item. If your wife doesn't work or you have a another personal vehicle parked at the house I would leave it in the driveway and move it some occassionally to give the appearance of somebody is home. An alarm is good but the company needs to have a quick notification for a quick response. If you have neighbors in sight of the house you know have her talk to them to help lend a hand and some eyes. Neighbors in general are observant of other neighbors' actions. They see and know vehicles coming and going and if they should be there. I would still ask for extra patrol from your local LE if possible. Some people even ask us to flash a spotlight in the house so their wife will know we came by. It doesn't seem like much but helps ease their worries some.

[Dennis1209]

I don't know how else to say it but, you are responsible for your own immediate protection. Do everything possible to protect you and yours.

[Chazmr]

Lots of good suggestions already. I know our local police dept will have a car randomly cruise by several times a day upon request. And see if you can enlist some close neighbors to keep an eye out for strange vehicles in the drive and yard. We're convinced we've stopped a few possible break-ins in our area by having neighbors make it obvious that they're watching and making notes of any strange vehicles seen in the the area. Good luck, I hope everybody stays safe!

[Jonnin]

Not that it isn't possible, but what kind of bad guy would risk being seen in the drive way? I'm not for a second doubting the concern as I would be equally so in this situation. It just seems weird to park in a driveway of a house you intend to commit a crime at. Then again, I'm not a POS criminal so I have trouble rationalizing any of their behavior.

On the other hand, I have a 120lb French Mastiff I would loan you if you feed him. I'm in Clarksville and would be willing to bring him down if your wife's a dog person. He's great with my kids so no worries there, I would just need him back

If you need any help with anything I am officially offering my services. My wife and I would be more than willing to help out as we have been in a similar spot before (Down Range) and know how it feels.

You are talking about a person (the criminal) who already thinks "yea, people get arrested for doing this stuff, but I am smarter/better/faster/whatever so I will get away with it. Besides, I need some crack now." How many thugs get arrested for basic stupidity, things like using their own car to get away, or robbing someone who knows them and where they live, or the like..... there is a level of stupid out there that is beyond comprehension. I mean, if they had any sense, they would steal something worthwhile, not someone's used TV or $100 in junk for a pawn shop.

[Guest FIST]

You are talking about a person (the criminal) who already thinks "yea, people get arrested for doing this stuff, but I am smarter/better/faster/whatever so I will get away with it. Besides, I need some crack now." How many thugs get arrested for basic stupidity, things like using their own car to get away, or robbing someone who knows them and where they live, or the like..... there is a level of stupid out there that is beyond comprehension. I mean, if they had any sense, they would steal something worthwhile, not someone's used TV or $100 in junk for a pawn shop.

True.

[TripleDigitRide]

If her vehicle is outside and equipped with an alarm, tell her hit the panic/alarm button from inside the house.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[southernasylum]

I live in Franklin. My Sister in Law and her Husband just has a break in in the Green Vally sub division. Their vehicle and garage were hit hard. Worst thing Is they were home with their two small children and slept thru it. The police have recovered some things from a Nashvile pawnshop. Hopefully that will lead to an arrest. My BIL said there were a few break ins in that neighborhood. I hope these guys get caught or worse before they show up at your place again.

-souhernasylum

[Daniel]

I don't know how else to say it but, you are responsible for your own immediate protection. Do everything possible to protect you and yours.

I am in Afghanistan.