"This Street Is Lethally Armed."

[dd74]

It must be a sign of the economic times: four houses in our neighborhood have been broken into. The tactic for the robbers is to ring the doorbell. If no one's home, go around back, force open a door, and take everything inside.

A house down the street was completely ransacked between Xmas and New Years.

Our neighborhood shares two police cars in a ten-square mile area - hence, not enough cops.

About 25% of the residents work from home or work swing shift hours (home most of the day), so there is a Neighborhood Watch presence. Nannies, cleaning women and gardeners always seem to see nothing unusual.

Lately - the "supposed" robbers have become more brash. Now, they come to people's doors in the evening, stating as one neighbor put it, "I'm a new neighbor. I wonder if I could come in or you could come out at introduce yourself." All while a car with a driver idles out front.

While I was out during the afternoon today, someone came to our door. My wife did not answer. She told me a pickup truck was idling in front of our house.

Our councilwoman, so far, has been ineffective toward any of this.

Police helicopters buzz our rooftops almost nightly, search light on.

A few of the neighbors are armed, but who knows what their skills are, and whether it'd make a difference.

My idea: erect a sign on the corner: "This Street Is Lethally Armed." Maybe that would offset some of what is going on. I dunno. It sucks when you can't feel safe in your own neighborhood.

We have a dog, but really, what can a Shih-Tzu-Chihuahua do other than bark irritably?

Fuvckin' A, on top of all the other crap going on in life: now this.

Other than the usual lock windows, doors and turn on the alarm, any thoughts or suggestions?

[Hugh R]

David I agree, as the economy gets worse the bad guys are going to get worse and worse.

[slodave]

Crap, that was your street? Sorry!

[Pazuzu]

Yer street better be able to put the cards on the table if you put a sign like that up

[LeRoux Strydom]

Get your insurance cover up-to-date !

And get used to circumstances already prevailing in a large part of the world.

[nostatic]

NRA stickers? How about "Got SIG?" bumper sticker on the front door?

[dd74]

Seriously - we've been discussing a move one neighborhood over to Burbank. More bang for the buck house-wise, and a smaller overall area with no B.S. cops. Sharing cops with all of North Hollywood just isn't cutting it. And to hell with private security - they're never around, except when a rep. wants to sell an upgraded house alarm.

[m21sniper]

NRA stickers are a very good idea, and won't get you painted as a nut job if you have to shoot someone and get sued.

A lot of people like the "Insured by smith and wesson" signs too. It also does not hurt to get a big dog. Dobermans are an awesome choice, great with kids, TERRIFY people that don't know them. When people used to come into my house for the first time and they saw my Dobie they would literally freeze dead in their tracks...even with me standing right there.

He was a big boy.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

NRA stickers are a very good idea, and won't get you painted as a nut job if you have to shoot someone and get sued.

Yes, but what do you put in your house's front window?

Seems those neighborhood watch signs are being ignored.

[HardDrive]

Criminals are not big on going into homes where there is a big pissed off rottweiler.

A guy I know moved up from LA. He lived in a bad area down there. Never had an issue because he had a huge doberman. Biggest female doberman I have ever seen. This dogs bark would make any sane person head the other way.

[t951]

Dogs are the way to go....
I also like to answer the door wearing underpants, a life vest and a shotgun....

[slodave]

Originally Posted by speeder

Two words: German Shepard.

Always worked for me. Sweetest dog on earth but a bark that will leave skid marks in their shorts. Run of the mill scumbags really don't like big dogs.

Doesn't always work. One of our Great Danes was seduced by a steak years ago.

[speeder]

Two words: German Shepard.

Always worked for me. Sweetest dog on earth but a bark that will leave skid marks in their shorts. Run of the mill scumbags really don't like big dogs.

I also used to have one of those signs with barrel of a revolver pointing at you with knuckles showing that said, Never mind the dog. Beware of owner!"

[speeder]

Originally Posted by slodave

Doesn't always work. One of our Great Danes was seduced by a steak years ago.

Can't happen if the dog is inside of the house. I would not leave my dog outside when I was not home, it does not make sense and endangers the dog and potentially an innocent intruder. (Delivery guy, etc...).

[dd74]

Hmmm...big dog or SIG...

Or a big dog named SIG.

I'd go rescue, though. A big mutt...

A friend has a Shepard-Pit - sweet dog, but with a thunderous bark.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by speeder

Can't happen if the dog is inside of the house. I would not leave my dog outside when I was not home, it does not make sense and endangers the dog and potentially an innocent intruder. (Delivery guy, etc...).

It did. Never did figure out who did it, but figured it was an inside job.

[aigel]

There is always the exception to the rule. Generally however a respectable size dog in the residence replying to the door bell will have the guys go to the next house. Also, if asked by strangers on a walk or at the door if the dog is friendly / bites, tell them they do, unless you are with them.

We have lived in some crappy neighborhoods before we started a family. Our dog had always had our backs. We made sure to tie him outside the front door when we were home. People would change the side of the street walking down the road to put some extra space between them and the dog. Thugs will know what house has a "nasty" dog.

George

[livi]

I am sorry to hear this.

Put up a large sign above the door saying: 'Hells Angels, regional office'.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Make sure you post all the signs in Spanish. Not that it'd matter. I'm willing to bet most of the perps probably can't read.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Make sure you post all the signs in Spanish. Not that it'd matter. I'm willing to bet most of the perps probably can't read.

This guy was, evidently, a scruffy white dude with a beard.

Probably an out-of-work lawyer or something.