Earlier this month, ABC news reported the case of Danielle Cruz, a Chicago homeowner who was remodeling her vacant home when a stranger moved into the property. When she realized this was happening, she called the police.  However, when police arrived, they couldn’t do anything after the “trespasser” showed them a signed lease.

Why couldn’t the police remove the woman from Danielle’s home?

Although trespassing is a crime in Illinois, police officers have no way of knowing whether the person in question is a trespasser or a tenant. Even when it’s up to their discretion to remove the person, they often refuse. This is because they don’t want to be liable if the homeowner is simply trying to skip the eviction process.

In these cases, Police will likely handle this as a civil matter rather than criminal if no other crimes are taking place. Nonetheless, it’s still important to report the incident to the police. Officers are considered sworn witnesses and their statements are documented in official reports.

What is a Squatter?

“A squatter is someone who trespasses on a piece of property they do not own and begins living there without permission. They do not have any legal claim to the property and are not tenants, but after a period of time they may gain squatter’s rights.”

Nonetheless, the process to remove a squatter is usually lengthy.  As mentioned above, the property owner must file an action in court for civil trespassing and wait for a court date where a judge will decide on the case. This is why it’s far easier to prevent your vacant property from being occupied by trespassers in the first place than to remove a squatter.

When a trespasser becomes a Squatter

In the case of Danielle Cruz, by the time she realized that there was someone living in her home, the squatter had already changed the locks. This means that at least several days had passed since the intruder had settled in Danielle’s home. Furthermore, “this unaccounted time” makes it more difficult for police to treat this incident as trespassing.

In retrospect, the only “right timing” to prevent a squatter from settling into your home, it’s to be alerted as the incident is occurring.

Can an alarm system prevent trespassers from settling into your vacant property?

Burglar Alarm 

Burglar alarms are monitored by a local station 24/7. Whether you are at home or away, the system will alert you and the local monitoring station when someone or something ‘is in the zone’ and has activated the motion sensors. The monitoring station will then call you to verify a false alarm or to dispatch the authorities immediately if needed.

This system is best for…homes.

Benefits:

• Protect your investment from Squatters or intruders.
• Manage and monitor your alarm from your phone remotely from an app. Additional smart home devices can also be managed this way.
• Discounts on home insurance.

Video Verification Alarm

A Virtual Guard Verification Alarm uses high-tech cameras with live video monitoring to provide continuous feedback. Properties are monitored 24/7 and when the system’s camera detects motion, a signal is sent to a live operator. The operator will ask the person to leave through an onsite speaker. A local police officer or a security guard will be immediately dispatched if the intruder doesn’t leave.

This system is best for… construction sites, commercial buildings, auto dealerships, warehouses, schools, and any places with open/wide areas.

Benefits:

• No power? No phone line? No internet? A Video Verification Alarm provides security even with the ‘three no’s and under extreme weather conditions.
• Your property is protected soon after your account is activated. This process takes less than 24 hours and there isn’t training involved to operate the system.
• In addition to the camera, Virtual Guard’s sensor can also be triggered and an automated voice message will ask the trespasser to leave the area.

Removing a squatter from your property can be a lengthy process that can cost thousands of dollars for a property owner. The best plan is to get alerted as soon as a trespasser enters the property. An alarm system and support from a local monitoring company can work together to protect your investments.  Catching an intruder in time will prevent them from settling into your home.

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The Crash and Smash Attack is a popular issue that is often discussed in the security industry. What does this term refer to? The term “crash” makes reference to the forceful entry of an intruder through a main door. Additionally, the word “smash” describes the physical action of shattering the alarm panel.

The success of the Crash and Smash lies on destroying the alarm panel, cutting the wires, or both, before 30 seconds. This is the time an authorized user has to disable the alarm signal on a daily basis. Consequently, when an intruder destroys the panel, the alarm loses connection with the monitoring company. You might be thinking, is it that easy? Yes! Since an alarm system is not able to differentiate between the user or an intruder, once the alarm panel has been smashed and the wires cut, the connection dies.

What is the solution?

First

Second

Third

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You wake up to the sound of an intruder in your home. The alarm wasn’t triggered so you are unsure if you enable it.  Did the intruder enter through the main door where the motion detectors are installed or did they managed to disable it? These following tips can help you take action to control the situation.

Don’t panic.

Remember they decided to enter your personal space. You are familiar with your home and therefore in control.

Remain quiet.

Do not bring attention to yourself. Making noise will give away your location. Don’t yell out “I have a gun or I called the police.” Even if both are true.

Lock your room.

Secure your room by locking and using furniture to block the door .

Press the panic button.

Press the panic button. This button works even when your alarm system is disarmed. However, you should know you a stress code. This is a 3-digit number that is used to secretly convey the presence of an intruder.

Dial 911 and follow their instructions.

If you don’t have a panic button, call 911 and keep them on the line while you execute the next step.

Escape through a window.

Mainly if you find yourself on the first floor. If you are not able to leave the house, your first thought might be to confront the intruder. This is not the smartest move. The intruder didn’t hesitate breaking into you home when they knew there was a possibility you were there. If he injures you, who will protect your family? If possible, find a place to hide and remain on the line with the operator until the police arrives.

Remote viewing.

If you possess a camera system and can view the cameras remotely, log in, and give a description of the subjects to police.

Even though we highly discourage confrontation, our next blog How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 2 will discuss what to do when confronting an intruder is inevitable.

The post How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 1 appeared first on VinTech Systems.

The frightening facts:

1. The lock bumping technique can be used to open 90% of American homes. This is because most homes use an old-style cylinder lock. Additionally, when a lock bumping key is used to break in, there is no sign of a forced entry or damage to the lock. This lack of evidence makes insurance companies very leery about paying for the claim. Furthermore, you could lose everything and not get compensated.
2. Anyone can make bump keys in 5 minutes or less. Hence, children as young as ten have been caught.
3. Safety experts say it’s time to change. Additionally, they are clear about this new digital home security threat. Its time to update your home protection!

Click here to watch a demonstration of this technique.

What can you do to protect your home?

Update your locks  to a high security residential deadbolt.

Features and Benefits

1. A bolt mechanism accommodates both mortise and drive-in applications. This design provides greater flexibility and ease of installation.
2. Steel shroud protects against “ice pick” type attacks. Avoid other items. Additionally, use high security strike plates. They have a special box design with 2 screws that anchor the strike directly to the building structure behind the frame. Furthermore, these will prevent kick-in type attacks.
3. A hardened steel bolt is surrounded by a heavy-gauge tubular steel so it houses maximum resistance to crowbar attacks.
4. A solid brass design is secured with high-tensile steel mounting bolts. Therefore, it has maximum resistance against hammer and prying attacks.
5. Elevate and rotate pin tumbler design. It has false slots on the bottom pins, mushroom top pins, and a sidebar mechanism together provide superior pick resistance.

Take action now! Protect your home from the lock bumping attack its easy and relatively inexpensive.

Learn more at www.lockbumping.com

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21 Things A Burglar Won’t Tell You

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I’ll break a window to get in even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears a loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. Nonetheless, when he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.

4. Why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without arming it?

5. I love looking through your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TV or gaming systems I’d like. Usually, I drive or walk through your neighborhood at night before you close the blinds. That’s how I pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

Did you Leave your Door Open?

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

8. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try to open the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and just walk right in.

9. Of course I look familiar. I was just here last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your refrigerator.

10. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

11. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste, and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

12. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway, and I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes for you to remove it.

13. If it snows while you are out of town, get a neighbor to create a car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

14. When decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see it. That makes it too easy.

Do you Have a Security System?

15. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

16. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door- understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

17. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. Don’t take me up on it!

18. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

19. Helpful hint: I almost never go into the kid’s rooms.

20. You’re right. I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

21. A loud TV or radio can be a great deterrent. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow. You can find these at www.faketv.com.

So how do they do it? What neighborhoods do they target? 

All burglars preferred upper and middle class homes. The “yuppie” neighborhoods. They would target homes by knocking on the front door. When there was no response, they entered through an unlocked window or door. Others use the basement, sliding glass doors, and even window AC units locations.

All four of the burglars claimed the master bedroom to be their favorite room. They check closets, woman’s lingerie drawers, and under the mattress for cash and jewelry. Furthermore, they know all about those secret hiding spots people have, like a tin in the closet. A surprising hot spot is the junk drawer in the kitchen. This is because typically, it becomes a storage drawer for a lot of your information like your checkbook, inactive credit cards, etc.

How do they sell/get rid of YOUR stuff?

The burglars typically would just carry stuff our or even load up your own car. Keys can sometimes be found in the house. Additionally, they could have already entered your house by using your garage keyfob after breaking into your car.

They bring your stolen goods to a “fence man”. This person trades in the stolen items. Nonetheless, they rarely use pawn shops.

How can you protect yourself?

The more layers of protection you have, the better. Burglars rather get things easy so setting up multiple deterrents works. Therefore, you can include lighting, an intrusion alarm, a privacy fence, a loud dog, etc.

One of the most beneficial things you can do to protect your home is to communicate with your neighbors. In every case with these burglars, they were caught by a concerned neighbor who later called the police or identified them.

Don’t forget to set your alarm. More often than not, people have a security alarm, and do not use it.

Will your dog protect you?

Maybe. Some burglars claimed that most dogs were just happy to see someone at home. On the other hand, they have no problem killing a dog that tries to attack them. Dogs are more useful for alerting a neighbor something is amiss.

Above all, take simple precautions like locking your doors, closing your blinds, and setting your intrusion alarm.

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