Originally Posted by DaFace (Post 9784073)

Pretty much. Even guns are a false security blanket; you're much more likely to get shot in your home if you have a gun in the house, period. I don't fault people who have either - the peace of mind has a definite value for some - but the fact of the matter is the increase in personal safety is negligible.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud (Post 9784082)

I think it depends where you live...

Originally Posted by Bugeater (Post 9784077)

I live in the crappiest house in a nice neighborhood, so I don't really worry about anyone picking my place to come in and steal shit. There's much better targets around here.

Originally Posted by DaFace (Post 9784088)

I think that's fair. Some neighborhoods are more prone to issues than others for sure. And you probably have more stuff to steal than the average Joe might as well.

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER (Post 9784095)

Would love to see pics of Dane's Fort.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud (Post 9784099)

They're on here some where

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud (Post 9784097)

The strange thing is that our neighborhood was deemed the safest in the USA just a year or two ago (90068). I guess maybe they didn't take into account robbery attempts?

Originally Posted by Fairplay (Post 9784101)

Sounds like someone pulled some strings to raise the property values up would be my assessment.

Originally Posted by El Jefe (Post 9784100)

Would love to see pics as well, sounds pretty sweet.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud (Post 9784082)

I think it depends where you live.

We have some close friends that lived in Hancock Park that never used their security system. They have easy street access (unlike the Hills) and one night at 2am, two guys broke into their home. He doesn't own a gun but he grabbed a baseball bat and was hitting them as they were trying to find loot. Their dogs were barking but didn't attack (although the dogs surrounded his wife to protect her). Finally, the attackers left. They were so spooked that they couldn't even live in their home for two months and later sold it. From that point on, I began using my alarm system every night.

In 2009, someone tried to break into my home while we were visiting KC. We're we barely gone 8 hours before the attempt, so they were definitely casing my home. The alarm went off at 4am but by the time the police responded, they were gone.

In 2010, it happened again. Same window, no theft, but attempted break in. In 2011, not only did the alarm go off but my phone box was found wide open, as the burglars were attempting to cut the phone wires, so that ADT and the police would not be notified. It's 12 foot up the side of the house so they had to bring a ladder. I put a heavy duty padlock on the box when we returned to town.

Since then, I added another seven foot gate with spikes on top so they can't access that window and additional gate out back. I've added the ADT Pulse system, which includes a cell phone to call ADT if the phone lines are cut, cameras, along with numerous other safety features (dead bolts, security doors, more external gates, etc.).

The oddest part is that my house is a fort and I have no idea why anyone would want to walk up or down 50 stairs, in the dark, without knowing where they're going. But, I'm not a thief, so I can't possibly understand that mindset.

All I can do is protect my home and belongings the best I can.