The 7 areas zones are:
1) Prevent
2) Alert
3) Detect
4) Defend
5) Capture
6) Restore
7) Finances
Crime Prevention is about lessening risk, managing it. It will never be 100%.
Security is only as good as it’s weakest link.
1) PREVENT (Make unattractive to intruders and thieves, deter, don’t leave out the honey in plain sight,)
Signs – Alarm (50% of the battle is the deterrent), Beware of dog, ‘Don’t mind the dog, be aware of the owner’, address visible, (show ones in box)
Note on a home I saw a few weeks ago: “Luther, I went to get more ammo before we go hunting, be right back. Make yourself at home. I left Apollo and Zeus out of their kennels.”
Fences – Hard to climb, requires effort – lazy, chain link best – visibility,
Locks – properly installed by reputable locksmith, dead bolts, ck screws in strike plates, 3” into the jam – bite into the stud, keep spare keys locked up – box, electronic growing, solid core doors, security / iron doors,
Lighting – around perimeter, focus on entry points, recommend photocell dawn to dusk, motion an option, interior on timers,
Other – TIP: big boots (show), Home looked lived in and occupied (mail, newspapers, curtains/blinds), big dog bowls (show), eliminate ladders and things burglars can climb on, keep shrubs and bushes cut back so doors windows are visible, glass block for basement windows
2) ALERT (Pre-alarm, low level notification)
Drive Alert – detect vehicles and foot traffic coming up the driveway
Motion Lights – Good for drawing attention to possible intruders, can broadcast a message.
Video – camera around perimeter and entries can be viewed on all tv’s and monitors
Peep Hole – important to see who it at your door, but for them NOT to see you or in.
Dog – Their bark can alert you and deter an intruder
TIP: Never ignore someone at your door
3) DETECT (High level alarm notification and response)
Alarm – part of A.L.L., should be set up and designed around your lifestyle, when intrusion detected the siren alerts 1) you 2) intruder 3) n-bor / passerby (with exterior)
Auto Alarm – many built, aftermarket, GPS tracking
Patrol – Police, n-hood patrol – associations
4) DEFEND (Neutralize imminent threat)
Self Protect – self defense training – martial arts, Escape Plan
Safe Room – specific area in your room that is hardened and/or hidden. Master bedroom with solid door and better locks, basements – hidden doors, good for bad weather too!
Safes for valuables including cash, guns, jewelery, pics, hard drives, etc…keep hidden when possible and always bolted and secured.
TIP: Don’t put valuable jewelry in a box, too easy to haul way.
Keep spare car keys locked up and yours in a safe place.
Weapon – handguns, shotguns, dog, pepper spray, stun guns, knife, baseball bat (closet)
TIP: wasp spray
Legal – defending the intangible – traditional and PPL
ID/Credit – one you most precious assets, worth protecting – chk Insurance, PPL, credit cards – need active monitoring and effective resolution when a breach is detected.
5) CAPTURE (Apprehend, prosecute and incarcerate)
Police / Prosecutor – 1st choice most power and free
Private Investigator – if you need assistance go the extra step
Video Surveillance – can be a valuable tool, important to have a good recorder in a safe place with proper cameras placement and design.
6) RESTORE (Recover or replace assets and ‘peace of mind’)
P&C Insurance – reputable company, check Moody’s, agent who explains and is there
Contractor – when damage is done, need a qualified responsive contractor / check Angie’s List
Counselor / Spiritual – the most important things are invisible, for another day’s discussion
Legal – sometimes the law is actually on your side
TIP: video / image and inventory household belongings, keep copy off site, professional service available such as Hartman Inventory.
7) FINANCES (Money is important thing to protect too)
The ‘what if’ contingencies
Disability Ins, Life Ins, Banking, ID/Credit, Legal – wills, trust
