being broken into

@jb78000 (15139)
July 16, 2009 6:09pm CST
someone recently tried to break into my flat when i was just out for an hour. the police have a suspicion who did it but no proof. the area i live in is not very safe and now i'm worried about a second attempt whenever i go out. i'm not worried about my possessions but i have pets and hate the idea of a burglar having access to them. i'm not usually anxious about anything but this really got to me. has this happened to you and what was your response? and any advice for how i should deal with it?
5 people like this
9 responses
@clutterbug (1051)
• United States
16 Jul 09
I wish you were able to set a few booby traps that your pets couldn't get to. This reminds me of some of those Charles Bronson movies, he was great at setting traps in his apartment while he was away - things like boards with nails in them for when the burglar breaks in. Creeps were always trying to get to Bronson.
2 people like this
@jb78000 (15139)
16 Jul 09
nice idea but if someone breaks through the front door they'll see anything that's on the floor. but if you have any more ideas let me know. thanks by the way - think i've argued with you a few times in politics but this is different...
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul 09
Hey jb, no sweat, sometimes I am too opinionated. But I'm working on that, lol.
2 people like this
@marcyyyy (517)
• United States
17 Jul 09
How horrible for you!!! My mom's house was broken into on Christmas day several years ago. We were out, and they cut a neat opening in the front window. However, they were very neat, didn't even knock over the Christmas tree! Took some money I had sitting upstairs on the desk, took a drawer out of my mom's jewelry box, and I guess just left. She was lucky, cos they didn't destroy anything, and really didn't take a lot. Thank God her insurance reimbursed her for everything she claimed. She had a dog too, and thank God they didn't hurt him. I know what you mean about worrying about your pets. Right after that she got an alarm system. It was bad enough she got robbed, but it happend 2 months after she had open heart surgery!!! Get an alarm system, if you can...good luck to you...
1 person likes this
@jb78000 (15139)
17 Jul 09
hiya, there are very few things i would miss if they were stolen (and the things i would miss wouldn't be stolen) but i was getting over-anxious about the pets there. i'm tring to get the landlord to improve security here - we'll see what happens. in the meantime the beasties and the laptop go to a friend's when i'm away for a few days. jb
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
17 Jul 09
I can understand your frustration, and your concern for your pets. Burglars are breaking the law, and if caught, face serious charges. Do you really think a person burgling your flat would take time to harass your pets? These people are often addicts in need of money, or valuables, to support their habit. There is a very good chance your pets will remain unmolested.
1 person likes this
@jb78000 (15139)
17 Jul 09
i know that is true but for once haven't been able not to worry about something like that. there's very little worth stealing in my flat (or at least that burglars would know is worth stealing) (laptop goes out with me) and these are little animals and vulnerable to a frustrated burglar. i know full well i'm getting a bit too anxious about this but there you go. it has come on top of some other stuff though... thanks for your response by the way - pretty sensible
@trickiwoo (2702)
• United States
17 Jul 09
Yikes! That is very scary! Do you know how they broke in? If you know how they got in, then maybe you could reinforce that area so it can't be broken into again. You could also try and get some sort of security alarm. That might help prevent future break ins.
@jb78000 (15139)
17 Jul 09
they tried to get in through the front door but didn't have time because i was only away for an hour. i'm going to try and get the landlord to put another lock on this door.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
16 Jul 09
I'm sorry this happened to you, jb. I know first hand how it feels to have your home violated by a stranger because our house was broken into many years ago. My advice to you would be to secure your flat as best you can. If you can't put locks on the windows you can use a nail inside of the frame to keep it from being opened from the outside. You can probably find diagrams online on how to do this. If it's at all possible you should get a deadbolt lock to add to the lock you already have on your door(s). If you don't already know your neighbors you should get to know them and try to get everyone into the habit of listening and watching out for each other. Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@jb78000 (15139)
17 Jul 09
thanks. as i said it's a pretty rough area and while some of my neighbours might want to help they wouldn't hear anything. the same goes for the people i trust locally - they don't live near enough to see anything. but the extra lock is a very good idea. jb
• United States
23 Jul 09
Wow, I'm sorry that happened, it must be very upsetting! Thank goodness he didn't get in! I don't know what your finances are like, but in addition to the other suggests posted here, if you can afford it I recommend getting an alarm system, preferably the kind that calls the cops automatically in the event of another break in attempt. Another thing you may want to consider is a security camera pointed at your door form the inside, then you can see whoever it is that gets in and make it easier for the cops to catch them. It needn't be expensive, they make cheap ones, just make sure it is wired to transmit info to some other location like a VCR or computer in case he takes the camera, you'll still have the pics! I'd be worried about my pets too, even though a thief will not likely have any interest in them, the thought of them being helpless and at the mercy of some criminal would deeply upset me as well. Good Luck, I hope you never have to deal with such a personal invasion or attempted invasion again.
@jb78000 (15139)
23 Jul 09
i;m going to pm you about this kitty, it's kind of private
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Jul 09
It happened quite a few times in our first house. The police recommended that we get a dog. We also got an alarm. It was really pretty awful having somebody come in and go through our things. Glad they didn't get in and do any harm this time. No fun when that happens at all.
@jb78000 (15139)
23 Jul 09
hi dawn - thanks. i'm not worried about things at all but i have pets and thinking about a burglar having access to them does worry me. jb
22 Jul 09
Quite a few years back I moved up to Sheffield to live with my girlfriend who was at University up there. One day having finished work and picked her up we returned to our rented flat to find it had been broken into and several items had been stolen. To say it caused distress is not the word for it and as it was a rented groundfloor flat we contacted the landlord and she found us another flat which was not on the groundfloor as we didn't want it to happen again. Sad to say, a few weeks later after having returned down south to spend Christams with our families we returned to find the locks on our flat had been changed and we had been broken into again. That was enough for us and my then girlfriend decided to relocate her studies closer to home and we returned to live down south immediately. I can really sympathise with you and the only thing I can say is burglaries do happen and other than making sure your property is secure as possible there isn't much you can do to prevent it happening again. The other thing is that unless your pets are obviously worth good money the chances are a burgular won't give them a second glance.
@jb78000 (15139)
23 Jul 09
hiya, my flat is so secure the attempted break in didn't happen. but i know who did it and i'm a bit worried about a second attempt.
@suzzy3 (8342)
17 Jul 09
If you have two doors try to put a folded ironing board up against the door that is easier to get in through,with anyluck it will make such a noise it will frighten them off.Leave the tv on ask a neibour to keep a look out.I have never had this happen to me I do hope these tips help .Also you could put a dummy in the window or a card board cut out with the music as well ,not many burglars would risk that.
@jb78000 (15139)
17 Jul 09
thanks so much. the problem here is that, actually i'll i'll quickly pm it.