Home Security
Good Neighbors

Crucial to home security are Neighborhood Watch, Block Clubs, Citizen Patrols, and Building Patrols.

"My false sense of security is gone. It was stripped from us," the home invasion hostage said. She has bars on her windows and locks her doors - and she will never live in an isolated, rural area again. "Because after you have looked down the barrel of a gun, you want people around so if you scream for help, someone will hear you."
Excerpted from The North County Times (CA) – 24 December 2006

Suburbanites are having their sense of security shaken by criminals who find the booming suburbs a land of opportunity where homeowners leave doors unlocked and windows open. In response to crime, citizens increasingly are forming neighborhood watch groups.
Excerpted from The Cincinnati Enquirer – 11 August 2002

The Lewellens felt safe. They had a guarded front gate, security cameras and roving patrols. That changed when the couple returned home and found the front door kicked in. An FBI spokeswoman says "Gate codes are given out to pizza delivery people and others. The gates are a false sense of security." ... The homeowners association has begun Neighborhood Watch programs. The next order of business, the couple says, is to install an alarm system.
Excerpted from The Las Vegas Sun – 31 August 2006

Glen Cove NY - Evan Marshall was arrested in the burglary and killing of Denice Fox, who lived on the same street where Marshall lived in an exclusive gated community.
Excerpted from The Associated Press – 29 August 2007

The ordeal began when Charles Johnson answered a knock on his door. A woman asked for a drink of water. Johnson filled a glass and was walking back to the door when two men armed with handguns stormed in. ... Meanwhile, Johnson's neighbors spotted the two men loading items into a van. "I knew that wasn't right," they said and phoned 911.
Excerpted from The Indianapolis Star – 01 September 2006

A prowling burglar will leave an area if he sees neighbors watching him. Thousands of neighbor networks nationwide have successfully improved home security. A simple map of homes in your area with names and phone numbers is a powerful alliance to combat crime. You might supplement that with citizen patrols.

Apartment dwellers can form building watches and patrols. Your local police department will provide you with materials. See College - Apartment & Dormitory Security and Apartment & Dormitory Security Products.

On a smaller scale, you can simply get to know your neighbors better, exchange phone numbers and agree to look out for each other's home security. Try to do so with any neighbor whose home is visible from your windows or yard.

Alarm Systems (for homes as well as common areas in apartment buildings) help neighbors unite against crime. Also see Security Products Buying Guide: Home - Intro.

See Alarm Systems

Go to
• Home Security - Overview
• Break-In: Most homes are easy to invade. Make yours burglarproof.
• Walk-In: Half of all home invasions are through unlocked doors and windows! It's easy to always keep them locked at all times with the guidance in the Security Products Buying Guide: Home - Intro (below).
• Push-In: Never blindly open the door when someone knocks. If you are pushed-in, do not stay inside with him (even if other family members are home) – flee to the outside for help. See Hostage Taking. Better to use an intercom from www.smarthome.com.
• Mug-In: If you’re ambushed outside your home and ordered to go inside, do not go! As with a push-in, you’re better off outside. See Kidnapping.
• Scam-In: Do not open the door, not even an inch, to any stranger - no matter what they say - scam-artists are master manipulators (see Push-In above).
• Cracks in Security: subtle variations of Break-In, Walk-In, Push-In, Mug-In, and Scam-In home intrusions.
• College - Apartment & Dormitory Security: staying safe despite careless roommates.
• Good Neighbors: the final layer of home protection. (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE)
• Security Product Buying Guide: Home - Intro
• Door Reinforcement
• Window Reinforcement
• Garage & Yard Reinforcement
• Simple Home Electronics
• Alarm Systems
• Flaws in Electronic Security
• Apartment & Dormitory Security
• Safe Room
• Recap: for a quick summary of this entire section.

Safeguard your home security even if you live in Sleepy Valley - predators like to prowl where the prey least expect them.

Prevent the vast majority of home intrusions - whether by burglar or invader by making sure all your family members use these home security strategies. Of course, predators will always find prey – but the most cautious targets will be spared.

Return to
Home Security - Overview
Crime-Safety-Security Home Page