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Do you ever wonder whether your home security system or “Beware of Dog” sign actually keeps burglars away?

We did too. So KGW's investigative team sent letters to 86 inmates currently serving time for burglary in the Oregon Department of Corrections. The inmates were asked to respond anonymously to 17 questions detailing how they broke in, when the crime occurred and what they were looking for.

What we learned could help you keep your home safe from burglaries.

A news station polled prisoners that were locked up for home burglary to get their insight into how, why and what actions they use to break into homes, and what actions a homeowner can do to lower the chances of being singled out. I guess you could say they weren't THAT great of robbers as they were caught, but my thinking is you can only pull that cats tail so many times before you get caught or get shot.

Interesting that the prisoners specifically mention NRA stickers on cars, and that its a red flag for them.

My personal opinion is to not have any of those "cute" signs on my fence or car to broadcast to anyone that I am a gun owner or how many I might have. I see people all the time with those Glock decals or SIG decals on their trucks driving down the road and would never do that, but to each his own. I also live in a neighborhood right off of I-30 in Garland with a few neighbors who have "Trespassers will be shot on sight....." signs or "Beware of Dog, Then Owner" signs, and we have had a spike in car break-ins and home break-ins because of the ease of use of DART stations and a Pawn and Gun Shop nearby, to quickly pawn their catch and vanish into the Dallas DART system.

Pretty interesting read into what criminals look for.

http://www.khou.com/features/we-asked-8 ... /344871681

My brother had his truck broken into in his drive way. We think he may have seen the NRA sticker and was looking for a gun.

I put my NRA stickers on my gun cabinet. I figure if they've made it that far, they probably know what's inside already. But considering most of the time, they would have to go thru me first (since I work from home), it's unlikely they would be successful.

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised at some of the things they listed as deterrents, like a car in the driveway or music playing.

the link is no longer available - page not found - from web site.

Ask and ye shall receive.
https://web.archive.org/web/20161101124 ... /344871681

I used to think like the OP. I had my truck broken into twice and stolen once within 10 years. The last one was in 1999 the responding Deputy told me % wise that he sees less vehicles with Gun decals or NRA decals than those without broken into. So, I put a couple of decals on the rear window of my truck/s and I am not saying that kept them away but since 1999 I have not had a break-in problem. I think there is a good chance that those guys that took the poll might not be exactly trustworthy with their information.

twomillenium wrote: I think there is a good chance that those guys that took the poll might not be exactly trustworthy with their information.

Yep - it's not. Doesn't look like it takes dopefiendage into account either. It helps greatly if people understand what they are dealing with and not try to overthink it. Your mileage may vary wherever else, but in my area, stickers, lighting or no lighting, cameras, location and so forth doesn't matter - they don't care - if they can get access, they're gonna smash & grab. Those idiots would charge a machine gun emplacement to steal $50 worth of stuff. Logic & judgement are right out the window with that sort. The same kind of idiots I've encountered in "road rage" stupidity - every time it will be someone who is dope sick (coming down or needing a new fix) or on it and so paranoid that they go off on any little thing you've done - or they think you're doing. Fall burglary season is in full swing now and getting worse by the day.