I travel a LOT. I spend lots of time on planes and in new and different communities. Traveling is often a bear, but the rewards of consuming different cultures and ways of living is well worth it. I often try to learn from others “way” to determine how it might work in my life.

Here is an interesting story about how law enforcement in the UK is dealing with criminals. They have a very different take on the issue than we do. But there is definitely something to learn here.

“Police in the UK have launched a new blitz on burglars to bring down crime, increase the number of burglars convicted and provide a high profile presence on the streets. They arrested more than 600 burglars, robbers and thieves in four days this week in its first major clampdown of the New Year.

As part of Operation Storm, police will continue to target known and suspected burglars through home visits, stop checks, high profile policing and use of the automated number plate recognition system (ANPR) to reassure residents and deter offenders. High impact enforcement activity on all divisions across the Force has seen officers making almost 100 raids on properties of suspected criminals.

Action such as this shows offenders that they will be made to payback for the misery they cause to innocent people. There is no hiding place for them and we will make sure that they are caught.”

Why don’t we adopt this strategy here in the USA?? That’s such a great home safety strategy that puts known criminals on alert that they are being watched.

I see that as very proactive police work. Most people understand that law enforcement can’t protect you around the clock. While they certainly patrol and have many proactive duties, we are pretty much on our own when it comes to protecting ourselves and families.

Taking responsibility for your personal security and home safety begins with understanding that a law enforcement officer generally isn’t there when you need one. It’s just not cost effective to have one cop per household.

To protect yourself:

Always lock doors and windows when you are home and away. When I travel to different parts for the country speaking on security issues and ask “How many of you lock your doors?” I’m always amazed at how many people do not lock their doors. My doors are locked all day while I’m home.

Do not display high end expensive items in windows easily viewed from the street. If you have a big plasma TV facing the street and your shades are open at night, you are inadvertently sending a signal to a burglar.

No matter what time of the year, holidays or not, cut and put boxes for high ticket items and put them in black opaque trash bags when disposing.

Install a home security system complete with monitored alarm and surveillance cameras. Have the cameras monitor motion connected to a DVR. Set the alarm while you are home during the day, sleeping and when you are gone.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures

Tags: adt, home, security, source

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Comment by Robert Siciliano on February 1, 2010 at 7:11am: David, in the UK, they are going after known criminals who are recidivists that our stupid courts let out again and again. Theres nothing wrong with letting a known sex offender or home invader or burglar know that they are being watched.

Comment by David on February 1, 2010 at 7:07am: With all due respect, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND ROBERT!

Do you know what it would be like to give a rank of government the power to run the streets like there own personal gang. They can easily make an innocent victim a target and ruin his life (Yes there will be errors in their system). Forget errors for a minute, what about corrupted cops who decides to make some poor individuals life a living hell.

The answer is right in your article, "we are pretty much on our own when it comes to protecting ourselves and families". You MUST learn to accept that we are ultimately the ones responsible for the protection of ourselves as well as our family. I don't mean to sound barbaric but I whole heatedly agree with the comment by Eric Bernard, "I just have a lot of guns and lots of ammo. A guard dog too". Well Said.

You did make some great point about locking doors and security for the home. I strongly agree with those. In all reality many do not choose to look their door during the day. To those I suggest staying in Chicago for a few days. Once people walk in and take your belongings right in front of your face you will soon realize AND respect the importance of simple basic everyday security.

As for me, my 38 special and my rottweiler (nugget) instill a great sense of security.

Good Luck

Comment by Robert Siciliano on January 31, 2010 at 5:34am: And homeowners insurance doesnt compensate you for "feeling violated" Money doesn't usually cure emotion. Especially "replacement value" money.

Comment by Robert Siciliano on January 31, 2010 at 5:32am: Buffet, have fun with that!

Eric, nice hearing from you. Eric, great comments, loved them up until "I dont lock my doors" Rethink that. Just sayin' You incorporate the fundamental principles of security called "Layers of protection". AND, that alarm is meant to protect people first and stuff second. So when you are home sleeping , is a great use of the technology. Anyone with a gun can whack 5 dogs, especially with birdshot, thats one layer down. because the doors aren't locked and the alarms not on, those layers are non-existent. This isnt about paranoia, its about being smart.

You're neighbor is a tool. When some crack head breaks into his house and steals his TV, but also soils his couch with his whaste, then he will wish he shut his blinds.

Comment by Eric L. on January 30, 2010 at 1:24pm: Hi Robert... long time since we last spoke.

I think we should adopt the same laws, it would defiantly send a good message, also if it's working so well over there... who are we to argue with success... we should learn from our neighbors and test it over here as well.

Personally, I also believe that it is everyone responsibility to protect one's own property, as you mentioned. The police forces really are stretched thin in the USA, and they are usually one of the first services to be cut when cutbacks happen in communities... at least that the way it is in my part of the country.

I totally agree that people should not advertise their wealth, such as putting that 55" flat screen in front of a window with the blinds open. I have had that argument with people I know that have... their response is "I don't care, it's on my homeowners insurance, I like showing it off to everyone that drives buy, why shouldn't I be proud of my success and show it off a little". OK, so he might have some points that are understandable, I tend be on the other side of the opinion fence with him...my thought is...why invite it. Even having a stranger in your house while your not there is a violation of privacy not to mention the headache of having to replace it all.

As to my own home security... As most everyone knows my occupation and that when I work I am not home much, I have a wife and kids to protect when I am not home... So I have installed a four camera security system mounted around my property with motion sensors that direct the camera in the area that was tripped and follows the motion until it stops moving for certain amount of time, the tripped censor also starts the video recorder which is installed inside a safe that is bolted to the floor.

The other part of the security system monitors all doors and windows, and has a couple of motion sensors in the house. Along with the security system... It also is connected to my automated house, so it will flash lights, sound the alarm, turn devices on and off, and call for help.

If anyone should break through those without detection, I have five shelties that alert us to any movement outside the house, and one Rotti that is on duty 24/7. Should anyone get threw that, I too also keep a gun in the house and everyone in the house is trained how to use it... that is... dead people don't talk, so everyone here knows that they are to shoot to kill.

Now one would think that with everything that I have here for security that I must live in the city and/or in a high crime rated area.... actually, I live in a small town an hour away from any city, where nothing ever happens... where no one locks their doors, and everyone knows what the other person had for breakfast (just about). I think I've only locked my doors ones since I've bought the house, but with everything else that I have here, I don't think I have too much to worry about. The camera system in on 24/7, the dogs are on duty 24/7, the alarm get set most the time when no one is home, and the doors... well what can say it's a pretty safe place to live.

Well that's all I got on the topic.... good luck and travel safe... and should you be interested in the system I got... all together it cost me about $1500 (over time) and there are no monthly service costs so it's affordable to just about anyone.

Comment by Robert Siciliano on January 30, 2010 at 10:23am: That helps eric.

Comment by Eric Bernard on January 30, 2010 at 9:48am: I just have a lot of guns and lots of ammo. A guard dog too.

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