Security Tips v2.0

Having been involved in the repossession business where in New Zealand we could just rock up, slip Slim Jim into the door and drive off in the car I thought I might give you some hints and tips to prevent someone taking your possessions in this manner.

"Slim Jim" by the way is a very handy piece of metal that slips between the window glass and the door frame of a car and allows the operator to open just about any car in seconds. They are legal and available for purchase from ebay for a few dollars. Similarly you can purchase lock picking sets of varying complexity for a few more of those dollars and pick just about any lock you like. Legal to buy the things, legal to use them, but only in a legal context.

The repossession industry in Australia is more stringently regulated and requires the agent to actually gain signed permission to take a vehicle if it is a regulated finance contract. Most of the larger more reputable finance companies operate regulated contracts and efforts to repossess property in which these companies hold an interest, lead to customer focused policies and proceedures.

Unregulated contracts on the other hand allow the repo agent to enter onto property and take the car on sight and without the frustration of being told to bugger off by the errant debtor.

I once broke into a Holden Kingswood with a plastic comb in 7 seconds. I also used a piece of clear plastic - albeit quite a stiff piece - to slip a Yale lock and enter a shop where
the alarm was sounding and we had no keyholder listing. Some security when a piece of plastic can open your door, huh?

Deadlocks are invaluable, but then you will also have to train yourself to use them. If the burglar cannot open the lock then he is restricted to using the windows and this can save you from arriving home to an empty house.

Most burglars however, are in and out in under 3 minutes, they target jewellery boxes, drawers known to habitually house money or valuables such as watches and they will go looking for spare car keys hanging conveniently on the wall by the back door or on top of the fridge. But for a few seconds per day training yourself to hide these items in less conspicuous locations...

Your average burglar is looking for something of value that is both portable and desireable. You won't see them running off down the street with a VCR tucked under their arm these day's because you can buy the things for 20 bucks anyway. Plasma TV's and Blu ray players are desirable, but the former are getting so big you just about need a truck to drive off with it.

Some burglars do just that too. If you live in a developing sub division keep an eye on removals out of hours in the newly locked up shells of houses. These are a common target and a burglar will not only take the whitegoods, TV's, sink attachments, air conditioners and the like but they will return ina week to do it again in the knowledge that the Insurance company will replace everything. If you are burgled, fit new locks, investigate alarm systems and don't feed the dog for a week before you go out next time. I am happy to give you free advice on various security systems and potential costs if you want to contact me at my web site - www.drmgroup.com.au.

Burglars commonly target houses during the daytime, so anyone knocking at your door should be challenged, and don't let them in if you don't know and trust them. Most domestic burglaries are committed during the daytime, most commercial burglaries are committed during the hours of darkness. Burglars have been known to listen in to the radio communications of Police and Security firms, following particular guards around, timing their movements and listening to the codes they use for particular premises. Once they have developed a clear enough picture they will wait until they hear the guard call in at a site on the far side of town before hitting the premise they know will take the guard 10 - 15 minutes to reach. Police no longer attend alarms as a rule, although if they are quiet and it sounds like fun, they might call around for a look. They will attend Bank alarms though as will your ever present Security Officer.

A burglar committing his crime in the night, in a domestic setting is a very dangerous proposition. These guy's - and almost without exception they are males, are a murderer or
rapist who hasn't been presented with the opportunity. They will commit these crimes to avoid capture or if the timing strikes them as being right.

Alarm systems can be programmed to be turned on everywhere but your bedroom or other room of your choice, so you can sleep safe in the knowledge that the house is being monitored by a Security firm. You will need to remember the alarm is on however if you get a midnight case of the munchies or you need to use the toilet.

Have you considered taking self defence classes? There are any number of disciplines availble to learn and they all have the added benefit of getting you fit as well.

You could keep a weapon of some sort beside your bed but unless you are prepared to use it - don't. This same weapon will be the item presented in evidence as the your murder weapon! A much safer option is a Panic button beside your bed which you can hit to alert your Security firm.

Drop me an e-mail or phone me at the office if you would like to discuss any of the points I raise here, I am happy to discuss your security options free of charge and with no obligation.

Stay safe
Best Wishes
Dan