So about 4 a.m. this morning my wife wakes me up and says she heard a noise outside our home. Apparently she was downstairs feeding our new baby son when she heard a muffled bang on the window right beside her. I get up, throw on some sweats and run out to the deck but can see nothing. I then hear the distinct crunching sound of gravel from beside the house. At first I think it is probably an animal but to be sure I go into the garage and grab a flashlight as I can't see !@#$ in the dark. By the time I get back to the side of the house - there is nothing. As I look up and down the street in the front - nothing. As I walk the perimeter of the yard though I see the back gate is open (it is never open) and I get a cold chill.
Maybe it's because we have a little baby in the house but I am still wired over this 2 and 1/2 hours later. For all I know it could have been a kid cutting through to the street from the greenspace behind our home. It does seem odd though that my wife heard a distinct bang on the window/wall that can only be accessed from the deck.
Bah, if it happens again I'm just charging into the dark swinging a nine iron.
So about 4 a.m. this morning my wife wakes me up and says she heard a noise outside our home. Apparently she was downstairs feeding our new baby son when she heard a muffled bang on the window right beside her. I get up, throw on some sweats and run out to the deck but can see nothing. I then hear the distinct crunching sound of gravel from beside the house. At first I think it is probably an animal but to be sure I go into the garage and grab a flashlight as I can't see !@#$ in the dark. By the time I get back to the side of the house - there is nothing. As I look up and down the street in the front - nothing. As I walk the perimeter of the yard though I see the back gate is open (it is never open) and I get a cold chill.
Maybe it's because we have a little baby in the house but I am still wired over this 2 and 1/2 hours later. For all I know it could have been a kid cutting through to the street from the greenspace behind our home. It does seem odd though that my wife heard a distinct bang on the window/wall that can only be accessed from the deck.
Bah, if it happens again I'm just charging into the dark swinging a nine iron.
I'd do that too, but mine was stolen out of my garage a couple of weeks ago. Godamn thieves!
did you hear any clicking noises? Could be aliens!
Seriously though, flood lights would greatly help your situation. They get tripped by a sensor when someone walks in front of them and light up the area like it's noon. Dad's had them on his house for as long as I can remember. Seemed more to light up the stairs up our yard from the driveway more than anything, but security wise they're an A-1 deterrent.
did you hear any clicking noises? Could be aliens!
Seriously though, flood lights would greatly help your situation. They get tripped by a sensor when someone walks in front of them and light up the area like it's noon. Dad's had them on his house for as long as I can remember. Seemed more to light up the stairs up our yard from the driveway more than anything, but security wise they're an A-1 deterrent.
I thought this way too. I have flood lights. Unfortunately, if you're in bed sleeping the night away, the flood lights could be on all nite and you wouldn't know it. Most people are sleeping at 4 am. I think a big dog in the back yard is the best security measure you can get.
I thought this way too. I have flood lights. Unfortunately, if you're in bed sleeping the night away, the flood lights could be on all nite and you wouldn't know it. Most people are sleeping at 4 am. I think a big dog in the back yard is the best security measure you can get.
Well, its there to scare away whoever is lurking, not necessarily to wake you up. In a way, not knowing can be better, as it does it's job, without making you feel anxious about events that transpired.
Report it to the non-emergency line with your police so they know someone is active in the area. Tell your immediate neighbours to lock their doors, windows and cars when they're not around.Put up a security sign and stickers on the windows (or even get an alarm system if you prefer - the fire monitoring alone is worth it, even if the security aspect is BS).Put lights up in the area that was compromised.Honestly, adrenaline is one thing, but next time don't go outside right away... first be noisy, turn on a light or something. Confronting someone like that is a bad idea, you don't know what you're getting into in those situations.
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I live in the inner city and we have a lot of issues with crime - drugs, prostitutes, car break ins, house break ins, etc. The large homeless population contributes to the issues.
We have been quite active with the city's community liaison office about what to do. Our thoughts:
1) First and foremost report it to the police and encourage your neighbours to report their problems as well. Patrols by police cars are largely driven by the number of incidents reported. No reports, no random police drivebys in the neighbourhood.
2) Floodlights are not a bad idea, but you may also want to consider a security system.
3) Security bars are an option.
4) Consider organizing a blockwatch crime group or something like that and engage your neighbours to participate with you. This is a longer term project, but the more notoriety you can give the group, the more word gets around and the less attractive your area is from a target perspective.
As far as the 9 iron goes, I'm with you. My instinct when I see my floodlights on is to run into my backyard in attack mode. However, about a year ago there was a situation where a guy ran outside with a golf club but was soon overpowered by the four (4) intoxicated or high dirtbags. They used the club against him and put him into intensive care. They then got away, if I recall correctly. So on that one, the best advice is to call the cops right away, yell that you have called the cops and that they had better beat it, and then stay with your family - or at least if you do that first then go attack, there will be help on the way!
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Last edited by killer_carlson; 07-11-2009 at 09:33 AM.
I used to live by the Foothills Hospital when I worked part time at the airport. There were a lot of car breakins near the apartment in that area, people smashing windows and such.
One night, I came home from work around 3:00 am and drove past some rat peering into the driver-side window of a car parked on the street. He saw me as I passed, flipped up his hoodie and started to walk quickly in the opposite direction from me.
When I got in the apartment, I called the non-emergency police number and they kinda freaked out on me. Literally within minutes of my phone call, the three police cars sitting at the Tim Horton's were scrambled and HAWCS was circling our neighborhood.
I don't know if they ever caught the guy but I learned that night to not be afraid of reporting crap like that. There's no way the police are going to know half the stuff that goes on, whether it's car prowlers or people snooping around your house, unless we make a point of being vigilant and calling this stuff in.
For sure K_C... if they're on painkillers or tranquilizers (PCP, etc) they're going to take any punishment you can dish out... those guys walk through getting tazed at times. Yikes. It'd be like fighting a zombie... who the hell wants to do that when their wife and kid is vulnerable inside?
Cute dog Stang! Is she a full blown Rottweiler, or is that a mix of some kind? Her body looks VERY sturdy. She's got a lovable face, too... I bet she adores you guys. I also keep an old school wooden wilson bat under my bed - I call it the widowmaker! Hahahaha!
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Originally Posted by Biff
If the NHL ever needs an enema, Edmonton is where they'll insert it.
When my wife was teaching, the police came to her school with a map they had taken off some B & E suspects. The map had all the houses in a neighbourhood with either a security system or dog, crossed out. We have a yellow lab that considers it his duty to warn us of any strangers approaching our house......although I think he may kiss the crook to death if he ever broke in.
I agree that a movement activated light would be useful. Also, activating your car alarm, usually used for finding it in a parking lot, would probably scare someone away outside your house.
I also agree you should call the police to report anything suspicious. An increased police presence in an area can help to reduce breakins.
Well, its there to scare away whoever is lurking, not necessarily to wake you up. In a way, not knowing can be better, as it does it's job, without making you feel anxious about events that transpired.
I don't think it scares prowlers at all. Some of these young punks just laugh when the light comes on because its obviously activated by a motion sensor and not the home owner.
It just makes their job easier cause now they can see what they're stealing.
Now a big german shepard or rottweiler barking his head off.... that'll make them think about about what they're doing and consider other options.
Never. All you have to do is point it and they are out your yard in a jiffy.
I've had people break into my garage but there is really nothing i can do about that.
I'd say about 97 percent of the people i've ever spotted in my yard has been native or black. Thankfully (for them) no one has actually broke a window to try and get in my house. Shoot and ask questions later.
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We had a prowler at our house last night
