Why are people so fearful of burglaries at night?

Victor · 05-05-2012 11:10pm

shopaholic01 wrote: »

Apparently this is very common so you should always leave keys, bags etc. where they can be easily found. I wouldn't care if my car, purse etc were taken as long as they didn't come near me.

No, its a common urban myth.

Paparazzo wrote: »

To any women living on their own, you should be fearful of rapists at night, not burglars.

Most rapists are known to the victim. The rapist is as likely to already be in the property and to have to break in.

antodeco · 05-05-2012 11:27pm

There are 2 entry points in my house. The back, at night, has a very large dog guarding it. Think of those arctic wolfs you see. Front door is triple bolted and locked. There's also a log cabin in my back which might distract them more, but there's obvious security on it, as well as some hidden ones

A_Sober_Paddy · 05-05-2012 11:32pm

I have a dog and a baseball bat by my bed side, I'd like to think I'd have it in me to smash the fecker's head in with the bat

antodeco · 05-05-2012 11:35pm

Chorcai · 05-05-2012 11:37pm

We are thinking of getting another dog, an Alsatian, train him to be a proper guard dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt_kjo-pzXA&feature=related

Rhyme · 05-05-2012 11:38pm

antodeco wrote: »

There are 2 entry points in my house. The back, at night, has a very large dog guarding it. Think of those arctic wolfs you see. Front door is triple bolted and locked. There's also a log cabin in my back which might distract them more, but there's obvious security on it, as well as some hidden ones

What? Are you Abraham Lincoln?

antodeco · 05-05-2012 11:43pm

Rhyme wrote: »

What? Are you Abraham Lincoln?

I don't think so. Let me double check and come back to you.

EDIT: Nope. Afraid not. My neighbour thinks I'm weird though for asking him

paddyandy · 06-05-2012 1:40am

OP. I think i've figured it out .Is it 'cause it's dark ?

GalwayKiefer · 06-05-2012 2:19am

I'm not going to go into how I have my house set up to make sure I sleep soundly at night or at ease while I'm away but there are two things I would say to people here regarding dogs and weapons:

Dogs can be poisoned prior to burglaries, I know one person personally where this happened by laced meat being shoved through the letterbox while she was at work, keep that in mind. For example train your dog to only eat when it receives a secret command word. Also, they are not security devices that need feeding - they are a member of your family. Love them and treat them as such and they will love you and protect you till their last breath.

Secondly, choose your personal defense "household object that happened to be nearby your honour" carefully because if you don't know how to effectively use what you're holding it will be taken off you and used against you. Also objects like baseball bats are only good if you have the space to use them - the landing at the top of most stairs is one place where they're only useful for giving hard pokes with.

If they want your tv, let them off with it, it's only a blasted tv. If they come up the stairs where you and your loved ones are -> game changer. It's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

wicklowstevo · 06-05-2012 9:01pm

because its a shamefull crime to commit, day time breakings are frequent because people are out and about or in work, espically in rural area, night time breakins are often atempts to steal cars ,

Temptamperu · 06-05-2012 9:15pm

Because the night is dark and full of terrors.

couch_dweller · 06-05-2012 9:25pm

M cebee wrote: »

response time can be slow out the country these days with closures etc

not the guards fault

a good dog and a shotgun is yer only man

knives are no use,they'll take it off you

station closesures have resulted in the nearest guards being six mile away rather than three or four in most cases , the effect is pretty marginal as its not as if they ever slid down a pole ( ala batman ) and took off right away

saa · 06-05-2012 9:34pm

Because I live in Tallaght.

YouTookMyName · 06-05-2012 9:46pm

Take it to bed every night.

Weapon

A_Sober_Paddy · 06-05-2012 9:47pm

saa wrote: »

Because I live in Tallaght.

Yeah those rover's fans can be something alright

HarryPotter41 · 06-05-2012 10:53pm

couch_dweller wrote: »

M cebee wrote: »

response time can be slow out the country these days with closures etc

not the guards fault

a good dog and a shotgun is yer only man

knives are no use,they'll take it off you

station closesures have resulted in the nearest guards being six mile away rather than three or four in most cases , the effect is pretty marginal as its not as if they ever slid down a pole ( ala batman ) and took off right away

My nearest station at night is 12 miles away and that's closer than some other people living in this part of the country so it's not the least bit 'marginal'

Jesus Wept · 06-05-2012 10:55pm

Snowie wrote: »

my dog sleeps bye the door and patrols the house at night... thats what a dogs for, a deterrent and if the dumb fvcks still try break in there just stupid...

Your dog sounds like a boss. :cool:

mrbrown69 · 06-05-2012 11:21pm

EDIT...

my bad I read the thread as buggery at night, beg your pardon

mikemac1 · 06-05-2012 11:26pm

couch_dweller wrote: »

station closesures have resulted in the nearest guards being six mile away rather than three or four in most cases , the effect is pretty marginal as its not as if they ever slid down a pole ( ala batman ) and took off right away

Well you clearly live in a city, good for you

There is the rest of Ireland to think about

MadYaker · 06-05-2012 11:31pm

Most burglaries take place during the day when people are at work. Its much easier to get in and out unnoticed if the house is empty. So being afraid of getting burgled at night is silly. I've got 2 large german shepards so I'm not too worried about burglars, my house has never been broken into.

mikemac1 · 06-05-2012 11:36pm

MadYaker wrote: »

So being afraid of getting burgled at night is silly.....

.....my house has never been broken into.

Well there you go

And lots of people don't bother with any security until after the fact

Lots of people don't worry about any sort of crime until it happens to them.
But you can't dismiss worrying as silly

saa · 06-05-2012 11:40pm

most of the cases I hear of here happen because someone notices or knows that the family is on holiday or there has been a death so they target the place, sickens me.

You have to be careful, my friend got a mate to mind the place ironically when he was away and I think his mate mentioned he was minding the place and well he got back to a broken window and everything gone and left in a mess, it was a flat at the back of a house without its own front door so you would of have to know he was out it was very convenient.

Recessionbust · 06-05-2012 11:48pm

Amazing amount of people who think a dog is protection. Dogs can and have been poisoned. Good alarm system. Good dual lock system and discrete CCTV will do the job.

filmbuffboy · 07-05-2012 12:15am

I always lock the bedroom door when going to bed at night. I know its highly unlikely a burglar will come upstairs but it makes me feel better somehow!

Never been burgled myself, but two friends of mine have been burgled twice, both times at night.

They took money & booze. Didn't take laptops, phones, cars etc. Must have been junkies.

I reckon its one of the worst things you can ever do is to break into another persons home! scum!!!

Wibbs · 07-05-2012 12:48am

Recessionbust wrote: »

Amazing amount of people who think a dog is protection. Dogs can and have been poisoned.

True enough. Heard of it happening. I've been lucky and it was more luck than judgement, that all but one of the dogs I've had were very "pack" orientated and wouldn't take any food if it didn't come from me. Many moons ago I let my last dog out last thing at night and and he came back in a bit of an agitated and aggressive state and then indicated to me this lump of meat in the garden. Didn't eat it though. As for CCTV, I'd say overt rather than discrete is the way to go. GIve as many signals as possible that your house or car is just too much hassle. Scum, being scum are in the majority of cases opportunistic and/or dribbling morons. Easy enough to confuse, or at least delay to the point of confusion. Those that come out with "Ahh sure, if they want it they'll get it" really tick me off. Usually a case of defeatism. Yes, of course no security is insurmountable, but you can strive to make it as much of a pain in the arse as possible. Make the scum earn it.

I'd add one thing. Double glazing. Most double glazing is fitted from the outside, with a plastic strip that when easily removed makes taking out your entire window a doddle. Really thick design. If you have such a set up and most of us have, then I would suggest going around each window, removing said strip and glazing and silicone seal the window in. Add a few self tappers for extra security. Patio doors another weak point. Google is your friend on how to secure them more. Cars? Fit an alarm. A proper one. Properly fitted and hidden.

Victor · 07-05-2012 4:05am

couch_dweller wrote: »

station closesures have resulted in the nearest guards being six mile away rather than three or four in most cases , the effect is pretty marginal as its not as if they ever slid down a pole ( ala batman ) and took off right away

So, would people prefer a local station with the garda stuck minding the station during the burglary or a less local station with more gardaí who can respond during a burglary.

LH Pathe · 07-05-2012 4:51am

bn stalkin dem lanes with my crowbar

DEFTLEFTHAND · 07-05-2012 4:55am

Lock up your jewellery, I've sent my crew to steal gold tonight. :pac:

HarryPotter41 · 07-05-2012 9:26am

Victor wrote: »

So, would people prefer a local station with the garda stuck minding the station during the burglary or a less local station with more gardaí who can respond during a burglary.

I would prefer a local garda in the local station who when you rang could get into a squad car and head for your house, already knowing where it is because he is local. While he is gone the station will be able to look after itself and any other call can be routed to him through command and control where the phone would be automatically diverted if not answered.

saa · 07-05-2012 10:26am

filmbuffboy wrote: »

I always lock the bedroom door when going to bed at night. I know its highly unlikely a burglar will come upstairs but it makes me feel better somehow!

Ah flip I live in a ground floor flat in an area with high incidents of burglaries :eek:

Welruc · 07-05-2012 10:29am

Because the night is dark and full of terrors!

Latchy · 07-05-2012 12:02pm

filmbuffboy wrote: »

I reckon its one of the worst things you can ever do is to break into another persons home! scum!!!

That as much as having posessions stolen is what upsets more , that some scumbag has violated the sanctity and privacy of the home and if it's easy for them to break in then we could try make it as hard for them to break out ...to the point were the bastads wish they had never set foot in your home .

I have heard of one ex army guy who set trip wires attached to flares around his home ...that would freak any would be burglar out . Booby traps ftw .

filmbuffboy · 07-05-2012 12:28pm

Latchy wrote: »

I have heard of one ex army guy who set trip wires attached to flares around his home ...that would freak any would be burglar out . Booby traps ftw .

Now there's one house I wouldn't want to burgal!

Heckler · 07-05-2012 12:55pm

Ring the Guards and tell them you have just shot an intruder dead. They'll be around in about 10 seconds and probably with armed police if they think a firearm is involved.

Victor · 07-05-2012 5:25pm

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

I would prefer a local garda in the local station who when you rang could get into a squad car and head for your house, already knowing where it is because he is local. While he is gone the station will be able to look after itself and any other call can be routed to him through command and control where the phone would be automatically diverted if not answered.

So, all the bad guys have to do is burgle two places at the same time?

howamidifferent · 07-05-2012 5:44pm

Heckler wrote: »

Ring the Guards and tell them you have just shot an intruder dead. They'll be around in about 10 seconds and probably with armed police if they think a firearm is involved.

They'd probably charge you for wasting police time!

iguy · 07-05-2012 6:02pm

Jaysus, I'd be like a looney, I'd go after them with me big stick!!!

HarryPotter41 · 07-05-2012 8:06pm

Victor wrote: »

So, all the bad guys have to do is burgle two places at the same time?

The odds of two travelling gangs burgling the same rural area at the same time?? Very very long. And at that point the district HQ send a car out.

kitty9 · 07-05-2012 8:21pm

id love to wake up and catch the burglar then beat the crap out of him.

then piss in his mouth and sodomize him :P

emeraldstar · 07-05-2012 10:25pm

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

The odds of two travelling gangs burgling the same rural area at the same time?? Very very long.

That wouldn't be chance, it would be planned.

HarryPotter41 · 07-05-2012 11:57pm

emeraldstar wrote: »

That wouldn't be chance, it would be planned.

I have never seen a circumstance where it happened, perhaps clutching at straws to make a weak argument stand up? And as I said, if that were to happen you District HQ would send a car, be even better already having a member with local knowledge in the area.

Stained Class · 08-05-2012 1:16am

If you're living in a rural area, it's surprising what a closed set of gates can do.

Scumballs are by their very nature too lazy & feckless to work for a living anyway.

The thought of having to negotiate opening a set of locked gates will deter most of them.

mikemac1 · 08-05-2012 1:19am

Stained Class wrote: »

If you're living in a rural area, it's surprising what a closed set of gates can do.

The boyos could steal your gates and then try to sell them to your neighbours

Any scrap boss? Buy a few gates?

Stained Class · 08-05-2012 1:56am

mikemac1 wrote: »

The boyos could steal your gates and then try to sell them to your neighbours

Any scrap boss? Buy a few gates?

Nah, the Dirt are too lazy for that.

Victor · 08-05-2012 5:32am

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

I have never seen a circumstance where it happened, perhaps clutching at straws to make a weak argument stand up? And as I said, if that were to happen you District HQ would send a car, be even better already having a member with local knowledge in the area.

But district HQ doesn't have anyone available because they are all over the place in underused stations.

irelandspurs · 08-05-2012 6:18am

I don't take any weapons to bed i just send the wife down while i hide in the bathroom,thinking about the insurance money.;)

cynder · 08-05-2012 7:46am

antodeco wrote: »

That's was the funniest thing I've seen in ages.... Priceless...

HarryPotter41 · 08-05-2012 7:53am

Victor wrote: »

But district HQ doesn't have anyone available because they are all over the place in underused stations.

You will find the manning levels at district HQ are more than adequate even with smaller stations still open, partly due to not being taken up with driving around trying to find places 12 miles away they never heard of before.

toexpress · 08-05-2012 8:11am

Well I can tell you that I spent a number of months sleeping with a weapon beside my bed. This related to some problem neighbours who have now been moved on. But it was a horrid situation and it wasn't just the neighbours it was their friends that they brought into the estate.

At the time that this was happening one of the Gardai that came out to a number of incidents told me that she leaves her car keys just inside the door. If they get in they will take the keys and are less likely to harm you. She also told me about an incident where someone was broken into (the victim was alone in the house her husband was away, the burglars had watched them and established when she would be alone) they boiled the kettle and held it over her in her bed until she complied with their demands.

Where I live there are 63 houses. I am here a year next month and in that space of time there have been 7 burglaries at night. The locks that are on the door are popped out and the houses ransacked. That's not to mention the number of us who found our oil suddenly gone!

So yes, I can see why people are fearful enough at night. I am 31, reasonably fit and well able to handle myself but I make sure I have locked the doors and windows, dead bolted the front door, put the chain on and turned on my alarm

Lando Griffin · 08-05-2012 9:31am

Recessionbust wrote: »

Lock all downstairs internal doors going to bed,

Very bad fire safety IMO locking all the doors hence confining you to one escape if fire breaks out.
A couple I know got burgled twice, once when they were in bed and left the front door unlocked and no alarm, they heard the intruder but didn't get out off bed and rang the guards. The second time they forgot to close the door when they went for a walk and came home house robbed and car gone. The alarm wasn't set either.
BTW whats the story with insurance if you dont set the alarm and get burgled.

Why are people so fearful of burglaries at night?

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