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I've just moved to a nice quiet, upper middle-class home in South Arlington Texas. I came home from a business trip to find a CSI van and 4 police cruisers 2 houses down from me. It was a home invasion, as far as I can tell they were invaded by persons unknown at around 3:00 am. Don't believe that anyone was physically hurt, but the next day they had an alarm system installed and the yard has been lit-up at night. I do hope they've also taken the additional step of arming themselves, a lot can happen in the few minutes it takes the LEO's to get there. Anyway, my family is now asking me to take them to the range to learn to shoot. Pity, it takes something like this to motivate someone. When you see it on TV it's tends to be somehow unreal, but when it's your neighbor, well that's reality slapping you in the face.

airbornerangerboogie wrote:I've just moved to a nice quiet, upper middle-class home in South Arlington Texas. I came home from a business trip to find a CSI van and 4 police cruisers 2 houses down from me. It was a home invasion, as far as I can tell they were invaded by persons unknown at around 3:00 am. Don't believe that anyone was physically hurt, but the next day they had an alarm system installed and the yard has been lit-up at night. I do hope they've also taken the additional step of arming themselves, a lot can happen in the few minutes it takes the LEO's to get there. Anyway, my family is now asking me to take them to the range to learn to shoot. Pity, it takes something like this to motivate someone. When you see it on TV it's tends to be somehow unreal, but when it's your neighbor, well that's reality slapping you in the face.

Although some places are safer than others in the sense that bad things happen less frequently than elsewhere, that doesn't hold true for severity. The fact is that really bad things can happen anywhere and anytime.

Many folks just don't seem to be able to internalize this until it either happens to them, or happens so close they can't ignore it. In the second case, most go back to not believing it can happen to them in about two weeks and start the process over like a rebooted computer that lost all the files that were open when it shut down.

Every time my Boss hears of a home invasion in the DFW area, she looks over at me and raises her eyebrows. My CHL has been approved. She has been to the range with me. Her situational awareness is higher than ever before. While I don't believe she will ever apply for a CHL, she wants to make sure she knows how to use the equipment (weapons) available to her should the need arise. Still needs some range time with the Beretta, but I'm really looking forward to getting her out to a friend's place in the country for some time with "Mossy the 12ga Animal". I'll start her out with some bird shot and work her way up.....

Within the last year, there has been one home break in (broad daylight) a couple of houses down from us, and perhaps three cars broken into. Several years ago she cringed every time I mentioned the idea of home protection. She said that we have an alarm and a dog, that should be good. I finally convinced her that those are deterrents, not protection. Big difference...

Ode To The Dog: The best house roving burglar alarm you can have.

airbornerangerboogie's post clearly shows that crime and violence knows no socio-economic boundaries. As EX clearly stated it could happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Situational awareness folks...always be in condition yellow.

joe817 wrote:Ode To The Dog: The best house roving burglar alarm you can have.

No doubt about it! Not only will our dogs let me know something bad is happening, the bg will also have to get past one mean looking animal. Then it will be my turn.

joe817 wrote:airbornerangerboogie's post clearly shows that crime and violence knows no socio-economic boundaries. As EX clearly stated it could happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Situational awareness folks...always be in condition yellow.

Well said, joe817. I need to re-read Jeff Coopers book on situational awareness "Principles of Personal Defense".

Where was this in South Arlington? I grew up there and don't live far away from there now. Do you know any other details as far as what happened?

Home invasions are increasing in every neighborhood it seems. Some simple screw and strike plate replacements can help strengthen an entry door. Google will give you some ideas; here's a good article from the Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 26f5d.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've done that plus I added a steel-reinforced security door to the front and a motion detector that lights the back yard as well as activates an audible alarm inside the house.

For the sides of the house, I have thought about trip wires connected to devices that fire 12 ga shotgun shell blanks.

Steel plates are a good idea for me, but motion sensor lights in the back yard (especially attached to an audible alarm) would drive me up a wall. On occasion, the canine member of our family likes to wander out through her small doggy door and use the facilities outdoors. Motion lights in front will work for me. I'll let the pooch be the alarm/sensor for the back. She's really good at that. And eating. And sleeping......

joe817 ,can you account for your whereabouts at 03:00 on the night in question ?

I will not alibi for him........

There you all go again pickin' on me. I can take it! I'm a man! Buaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

USA1 you KNOW I turn into a pumpkin at 11pm, you ding dong! lonewolf, you've been hanging around USA1 to much!

joe817 wrote: USA1 you KNOW I turn into a pumpkin at 11pm

so you say

i guess that's a NO for any alibi . hmmm , very interesting .
i'm going to recommend that you don't leave town .

USA1 wrote:

joe817 wrote: USA1 you KNOW I turn into a pumpkin at 11pm

so you say

i guess that's a NO for any alibi . hmmm , very interesting .
i'm going to recommend that you don't leave town .

Ok mister, now you've got my dandruff up! Just you wait!

joe817 wrote:

USA1 wrote:

joe817 wrote: USA1 you KNOW I turn into a pumpkin at 11pm

so you say

i guess that's a NO for any alibi . hmmm , very interesting .
i'm going to recommend that you don't leave town .

Ok mister, now you've got my dandruff up! Just you wait!

uh oh