Home Invasion: Big Bad Thugs
Our current major storm: Sandy, that will ravaged 50 million people and effectively cause billions of dollars in damage creates in my mind the wonderment of why there is a lack of self or community training to “prep” for known, expected criminal dangers. Notably the family sitting in the dark, anxiously awaiting good news on their battery powered radio that hear a knock on their door and a voice calling out-“Sheriff’s Dept we need to check on you”. Currently the scam is: “FEMA checking…” The correct response is: “I am fine go away and I am calling 911”.
Violent crime is up 18% and more so in cities per se. The home invasion ruse is often to get you to open the door wherein you will be assaulted, beaten, terrorized, and robbed. Maybe killed. Teens are now actively pursuing this adventure with small groups of thugs openly terrorizing small businesses as well as private residences.
Common ruses are: “ Help me please. Our car went off the road and my wife is trapped in the car- I need to use your phone.” Another ruse is the sound of a crying baby who is supposedly “sick” or “injured”. The correct response to any person at your door is: “I will dial 911 and report this, go to your car and help your wife/baby/child”. Keep your door closed and locked.
Another common ruse is the Police knocking on the door. Ask for the name and badge number. Call the police station and verify first. Use the same procedure for any other alleged authority figure.
“Your car-barn-house-car etc is on fire.” You open the door to rush out. Big mistake. The thug has you.
Smith and Wesson gun manufacturer recently sold one million, 200 thousand-hand guns in 12 months. Gun sales are up. People understand the growing risks yet the news is full of innocents being terrorized.
Apparently, thugs pre-screen who they are going to rob. Recently a friend, while in church that morning, just like every Sunday, her back door was kicked in and the house robbed. Elderly are often targets, women especially.
If you have fixed, routine schedules of shopping, church, visiting and jobs outside of the home, these routines are to your disadvantage. Vary your time schedule. Become unpredictable.
The nosy neighborhood watch system is good. You have to buy your own signs of course and you will find these for sale on www.Amazon.com. However, it is your routine, repetitively over and over again that gets you in trouble.
Lurking cars and UNKNOWN PEOPLE ARE THE FIRST INDICATION OF BEING SURVEYED. However it is often your dearest friends who visit you. You show off your new TV, or silver collection. That dear friend innocently tells her friends who tell another, and the word of mouth finds its way to the thug.
The old adage from the 60’s was dress down; look poor.
The FBI current statistics on violent crime is quite high. Angry thugs, people on drugs such as the new designer drug: Bath Salts, drive one into mindless violent attacks referred to as becoming a Zombie. By the way this Bath Salts IS NOT THE BATH SALTS YOU BUY FOR A RELAXING BATH – IT IS JUST A DESIGNER DRUG NAME.
There are a number of issues why there is a rise in violent crime reaching into your Mayberry of peace. We are in an economic period of decline with no jobs for most. This creates desperation and once that desperation becomes no hope, the morality of people regresses. You cannot reason with these people, their basic needs and entitlement thinking override judgment, and they will rob you.
Men, at least here in the country, like to display their firearms. They invite friends over and Wow! Look at that new Browning rifle, just like the rest of the hundred guns on the wall. He goes to work; the thugs move in. Lock your valuables up; a gun safe is an idea. AT LEAST DO NOT BE A SHOWOFF. Times have changed; the glass front wood gun display case is an invitation to rob. Even an inexpensive gun cabinet of metal and bolted to the floor is a deterrent. Safes remain the number one big sales in the USA.
Most thugs have no professional long-term experience in breaking and entering. They are now often teenagers. They target first, guns, electronics, and cash if they find your sugar bowl and any other sellable on e-bay or in trading posts, your items; hand tools of quality are a good re-sale item. They smash and grab, and are out in minutes, often working as a team of two or more thugs.
Flash mob thug events are increasing. Young thugs with cell phone can organize mass thugs and swarm a place of business. These people are becoming more aggressive and violent over the past year since they get away with their bullying tactics and swarm of numbers.
The internet is full of dissidents threatening to riot if so and so is not elected, possibly rationalizing that their welfare check will be cut off. Riots are really evil and it is best to stay away from large crowds of angry excitable people. Looting and fire starting are underlying goals of these thugs.
Scams abound after a storm like Sandy. Aside from the political promises that are not kept, the bankers move in and promote scams to get you to refinance your home. Your insurance company in the small print of page 312 of your contract says: NO! No coverage. Probably in the flood areas half the flooded cars will be cleaned up and resold on a mass scale to rust out quickly. All those decals about inspections and such are scams. Before you buy that unbelievable bargain of a car, take it to a dealer-trained mechanic and let him advise you.
Next week we will discuss how to harden and fortify your home against break-ins on a low technical scale – that implies low cost. Until then,
God Bless, keep prepping.
Old Timer,
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