| We've all read them and laughed at them, those | | | | home. You likely would not choose to hide it under |
| stories about stupid burglars doing the dumbest of | | | | the welcome mat because that is a little obvious, |
| things whilst attempting to commit a crime and | | | | but think of this, wherever you think to hide the |
| getting themselves arrested instead. | | | | key a burglar can think to look. Don't hide keys, |
| Like deciding to take a nap on the victim's bed | | | | the burglar is smart enough to find them. |
| and still be laying there when the police arrive. Or | | | | Given the choice which home do you think the |
| getting stuck half way through a window, or | | | | burglar will pick to attempt to rob. The home with |
| leaving their wallet at the scene of the crime, or | | | | a garden full of overgrown plants and bushes that |
| filming themselves with the victim's video camera. | | | | provide shadows for the thief to work unseen, or |
| They get caught because they do stupid, dumb | | | | the home with a maintained garden that gives a |
| things. | | | | clear view of the house, so that neighbors and |
| Let's face it these news stories are amusing. We | | | | passers by can easily spot an intruder. The burglar |
| read them and have a good chuckle to ourselves, | | | | does have the savvy to keep out of sight, do all |
| perhaps even taking a little comfort from the | | | | that you can to deny him cover from being seen |
| news that those who would take our hard earned | | | | and you will increase the chance that he will leave |
| possessions are plainly inept and clueless. | | | | your home alone. |
| But isn't there a danger in those stories? Couldn't | | | | So whilst it is true that dumb criminals do exist, |
| these news reports lull us into being a little lax | | | | and even intelligent burglars make dumb mistakes, |
| about our home security? After all, if burglars are | | | | (so that the newspapers can publish those stupid |
| so dumb there is no need to pay too much | | | | burglar stories,) it pays to remember that the |
| attention to protecting our homes right? | | | | average criminal will apply at least a little thought |
| Wrong! The cold truth is that every day homes | | | | to carrying out his wicked trade. |
| are broken into, folks' possessions are stolen and | | | | Do not be tempted to think of the housebreaker |
| the burglar gets clean away. The fact is the | | | | as a fool. He may think that honest citizens are |
| average burglar, whilst not being a genius, is | | | | fools enough to work long hours to fill their |
| clearly not stupid and those that get themselves | | | | homes with goodies just so he can steal them. |
| caught by doing dumb things are the exception, | | | | But the honest citizens should be wise enough to |
| and not the rule. | | | | do all they can to protect their homes and |
| Is it not better to think of the housebreaker as | | | | families. Not thinking criminals to be dumb, and |
| having a few brain cells and protect your home | | | | putting in place intelligent home security, reduces |
| accordingly? Are you tempted to 'hide' a spare | | | | the chance of being burgled, the statistics prove it. |
| key just in case you lock yourself out of your | | | | |