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If a Burglar Enters Your Property While You're Home, Here's What You Must Do

The following information is often given out by police to prevent anyone being harmed during a burglary.

The following information is often given out by police, to prevent anyone being harmed during a burglary:

By carrying out these simple steps provided by SimpliSafe Home Security, you can make your property’s occupants safer.

  • Do What The Burglar Tells You To Do
  • Remember, your main priority is the safety of the people inside the property. Most burglars are there to steal, not to harm anyone. If you’re insured, you can recoup the cost of the things stolen. Either way, you don’t want to put anyone in danger for the sake of possessions.

  • Remember That The Burglar is Likely to be on Edge Too
  • Don’t do anything that will surprise them. If needed, tell them where you are, and if you are about to move, tell them what you’re about to do. Let them know if there’s anyone else in the building, or if you’re expecting anyone.

  • Only Activate an Emergency Alarm if it Can be Done Secretly
  • SimpliSafe's wireless security system can send a secret “distress signal” to Simplisafe’s wireless alarm monitoring center. Whenever you enter your secret “duress PIN” into your keypad, the system quietly sends your SOS signal to our monitoring center. We then send the police straight to your home.

  • Pay Attention to The Robber’s Appearance
  • This can later help the police to track them down. In particular, look at their face and clothing and any markings. Also, pay attention to the direction in which they leave, and details of their transport (the type of car, for example, and its make and color).

  • As Soon as The Burglar Leaves, Lock All the Doors and Call 911
  • Try to avoid going into the areas where they’ve been, because you may accidentally disturb any clues that the burglar has left. Avoid touching items, which may have the burglar’s finger prints on them.

  • Write Down Everything You Can Remember About The Event
  • Memories fade quickly, and you want to capture every clue that may lead to the burglar’s arrest.

  • Ensure That Any Witnesses Stay Around Until The Police Arrive
  • If a witness insists on leaving sooner, make sure they leave their contact details with you. If you are in any doubt as to whether they have left the correct contact details, ask to see evidence of their identity, such as their driver’s license.

    What Next?

    If you decide you want to protect your property with a SimpliSafe burglar alarm, just visit www.simplisafe.com—or call us at 1-888-957-4675.

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    Debbie K September 27, 2012 at 12:39 pm
    Ummmm... why does this article sound more like an advertisement for Simplisafe than advice from a police department? I'm not sure I'd want to hide in my own house when a burgler is already inside and press a silent alarm with the hope the police get there before the intruder finds me.
    I prefer to rely upon my two 110 lb. Shepherds to act as a very visible and audible alarm to prevent burglers from even considerning coming into my home.
    Judy Mottl (Editor) September 27, 2012 at 12:47 pm
    Hi Debbie. This isn't an article or a post from Patch. It's a blog post from a security expert. Patch did do a news story recently on how burglaries have doubled in the communities we cover compared to a year ago.
    Chuck Akalski September 27, 2012 at 01:27 pm
    Actually, if I detect a burglar attempting to enter my home, I will first retrieve my licensed firearm and stand ready to defend myself and my family. How do I distinguish between a 'peaceful' burglar from a drug-crazed home invader? The intruder is the one who will have to cooperate with me and not the other way around.
    Kevin Raposo September 27, 2012 at 02:49 pm
    Hi Debbie, thanks for reading and the comment. Burglars usually tend to stay away from homes with dogs inside. Especially if their two 110 lb. Shepards. That's usually a good burglar deterrent.
    Kevin Raposo September 27, 2012 at 02:54 pm
    Hi Chuck, unfortunately you can't determine if it's a drug crazed or peaceful burglar. That's why it's always good to play it safe
    PatchawgFatGuy September 27, 2012 at 05:28 pm
    My 2 dogs are my alarm too, and they give me enough time to prepare to make sure this is the last house this miscreant breaks into. Act like a victim and be a victim, act to defend yourself and most likely the burglar will run.People who break into houses are not the stand and fight sought of people.
    Seadog24 September 27, 2012 at 06:04 pm
    Who cares if the thief is drug crazed or "peaceful" Once this person enters my home or attempts to enter, I really could care less what he or she is on or how polite they are the line has been crossed and I do what I can to protect my family and home. You can be sure I will be right behind and assisting my 100LB puppy!
    Seadog24 September 27, 2012 at 06:05 pm
    My thoughts exactly Pathawg!
    Seadog24 September 27, 2012 at 06:23 pm
    Again the puppy and a "point and shoot" works wonders!
    Dov Neidish September 30, 2012 at 11:58 pm
    I wonder what Dr. Petit would say of this advise. Dr. Petit's wife and daughter were brutally raped and murdered after one of the burglars forced Mrs. Petit to withdraw money from her bank.
    I too have a dog - and a gun. I don't concern myself with the motives of why someone would choose to break into my home. I will do whatever I must to protect my family - and wonder about motives later.
    Seadog24 October 1, 2012 at 11:03 am
    Again I agree completely! Get them or be got....
    WI Mom2 October 1, 2012 at 01:49 pm
    Two licensed gun owers, one pitbull, well he rather just lick you, but his bark is good, equals one unlucky intruder.
    Jason Thompson October 1, 2012 at 03:43 pm
    So roll over and be a victim. Allow the rapist to rape your wife, because as soon as you call 911 the rape stops. If someone is coming in to steal stuff they prefer an empty house. If someone breaks into my residence they deserve a facefull of Home Defense.
    Mike K October 1, 2012 at 04:18 pm
    As a Bayport resident and a Police Officer for 27 years we can all do the little things to deter burglaries in our neighborhood. People or vehicles in the area that you may have never seen before should make you take a good look at what they are doing. We all have cell phones with cameras, take a photo of the driver, car or plate number. Many times they will go to the front door and ring the bell, if someone answers they say they are looking for Bill or Joe, knowing that person does not live there. If there is no answer, they will go around back to a door or window and enter that way. Many drug addicts and people just lookng for a quick score will just take cash and jewlery that they can pawn so don't always expect to see them walking out with a 46 inch flat screen. Thay will take what they can fit in their pockets. If you are home when they enter, every situation is unique. Can you see the subject, how many are people are there, can you get to a weapon or phone, should you just hide and wait for them to leave? That is all up to you if this happens. Best bet, be a neighbor who just looks around when you are taking a walk or leaving your house. Your eyes are your best defense against these people.
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    Aaron Telgar April 2, 2013 at 06:56 pm
    We actually picked Alarm Grid home security monitoring https://www.alarmgrid.com/monitoring over simplisafe. We had tried SimpliSafe before, but their equipment didn't work. We love our system now, it's new, and looks really nice, and the wireless security systems that Alarm Grid has available were every bit as reliable as anything SimpliSafe offered, although it was a bit more expensive. We thought it was well worth the cost.
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