Home Security

I previously wrote an entry on managing danger that focused on being out and about. What about home security?

Like so many other things in life, if you remain a Free Man, home security is less complicated. You only have to worry about your own protection and you don't have to worry about protecting anyone else, save your temporary guests.

If you have the means, having 24/7/365 armed security on-site is going to provide the most security. Few people can have that, though. Likewise with living in a walled, gated compound.

The bad news is, if someone really, really wants to get into your home, they can, especially if they are people of means. The good news is it is becoming easier and easier to increase your home security, which will discourage potential malefactors, buy you some time to protect yourself if they are getting in, and can capture evidence for prosecution.

What you should do depends on things like where you live, what is in your home, and who might try to get into it and why. If you live on a rural farm it's a far different matter than living in a major city or an adjacent suburb.

Think carefully about who might try to get into your place.

There are people who have logical, if wrong reasons. "I want to steal valuables to sell for money." That's logical. But it's wrong.

Then there are the people who are drugged and/or so mentally ill they aren't thinking clearly.

For men, there could be women you have scorned or who are stalkers. (That's one reason why it is best if they never know where you really live.)

Maybe there is something in particular about who you are or what you do that makes you a target?

Home invasion robberies are conducted to either intimidate you/cover up for some other crime, or because the thieves expect you to have what they want locked up, such as in a safe, in way they need you there to get it. Otherwise, someone who just wants to steal something is going to prefer the residence be empty.

Security can start when picking a residence, or, if you are so fortunate, in picking a place to build a residence and in designing that residence. Few people are going to want to live in a hidden fortified bunker. But more people should consider having their residence in a revocable trust, which can make it harder for people to find out your physical residence. What are the crime stats where you want to live? Some places manipulate the statistics. District Attorneys change and some aren't tough on residential crime. Scope out a place in-person to get a feel for the surrounding neighborhood. What are people in the neighborhood saying online?

Keeping your doors and windows closed and locked out of habit can be good, depending on where you live and how much simple ventilation you require.

Do you need a "safe room", kind of like a walk-in closet? Ideally, it should protect you if you have a home invasion, meaning it has a thick door you can lock from the inside, it has weapons, water, food, extra medication, battery operated lighting, a comfortable place to sit, and a bucket for your waste. This might be the place to keep a safe with important documents and your most valuable small items. I have one that is like a giant thick briefcase. The benefit is that can be quickly grabbed and carried out of the home if we need to leave for whatever reason (like a fire). The drawback is that someone else can carry it out, too, unless it is secured by a lock.

What can people observe about your residence from the street or sidewalk? By drone? On mapping records? From pictures and video in real estate listings?

Of course there are the professional security services, some that will respond to alarms, drive by your residence, etc. If you want to "do it yourself," technology is always progressing as far as video cameras with microphones and speakers, live streaming, storing/accessing/sharing the recorded video and audio, alarms, lighting, remote locking and unlocking, etc. Keep in mind that recording technology records you, too. Motion-detecting floodlights can ring the exterior of your residence, and you can have lights (and radios) in various parts of your home turn on and off to signal that someone is home and awake.

I encourage responsible people to own and be trained in the use and maintenance of firearms, with the caveat that nobody with certain mental illnesses or disorders should have access. If you can keep a handgun and a shotgun and be prepared to use them, they can save your life. Laws vary from place to place about what you can own and when you can use it. Whether not you keep firearms, things like aluminum baseball bats, very bright flashlights, tasers, handcuffs/zip ties, pepper spray, etc., can come in handy.

Dogs need attention and care. They are not mere accessories. But a large dog or two, especially of certain breeds, can be a deterrent to the uninvited and issue warnings to you. Don't get a dog for protection, though, unless you can ensure he or she will get enough attention and care.

Especially for women living alone, but for anyone really, indications that a big, strong, young man lives at the residence might be worth signaling, even if it isn't true. Big, muddy boots by the front door (if visible to others) can be a good signal.

If you can, and you're not opposed to it, it might be a good idea to place an American flag and a "Don't Tread on Me" flag where they will be visible, or the equivalent for wherever you live. A sign or bumper sticker from the American Firearms Association sends the same message more overtly.

If you do hire a professional security service, they'll no doubt provide you with signs saying so. I know of no reason to NOT display such signage. You can also buy signs, including solar-powered ones that are lit at night, that warn of surveillance on your property.

It would also be good, if you're allowed, to have a sign that says you don't allow solicitors, and to stick to that policy. I have a blanket policy that I don't do business with strangers who come to my door. The neighbor kids selling something? Sure. That's not what I'm talking about. I don't provide any information or sign petitions at the door. I don't even open the door anymore. They can leave their info behind if they are legit, and I can check it out. Some thieves knock or ring to either establish someone isn't home (if you're remote, you can talk with them through an electronic doorbell to make it seem like you're home), or to distract you as their partners check out the side/back of the residence.

Service providers you've invited to your residence should either be people you know or they should be legit providers whose information and appearance you should know ahead of time. They should tell you when they are on their way and when they'll arrive. They should have no objection to you watching what they do. For example, I have my HVAC checked regularly and they make an appointment and they text me with a name and picture when they are on their way.

Consider everything above. If you're someone who is looking to steal stuff you can quickly sell, or looking for someone to rape, are you going to try a place where it appears it is going to be difficult to get in and there's a good chance you might not make it out, at least not without life changing injuries?

Consider how you receive mail and deliveries. If you can't have a specific drop at your residence that protects what you're receiving without giving anyone unnecessary access to your property, consider getting a delivery box at your post office or shipping center store, or the many places you can have items delivered and stored for you until you pick them up. I see those boxes/lockers everywhere now.

Don't let anyone you don't know and trust, such as on social media, know when your home will be unoccupied. Going to livestream somewhere else? You might want to make sure your residence is secure. Be careful about posting pictures on social media of the inside of your home or your valuables. There are apps that strip the data (such as location) attached to your photos.

If you're catching a ride like Uber or Lyft, consider being picked up a short walk from home, so that it isn't obvious which home is going to be empty, especially for weeks.

When driving home, check to see if anyone is following you. If you're not sure, don't drive home until you shake the person who might be tailing you. If you think you're being followed, drive to the nearest police/sheriff station. Follow-home robberies are a thing.

Speaking of law enforcement, don't let them in without a warrant. Even if you have a highly favorable view of law enforcement officers, you have to understand that there are dirty cops, and you can't be sure any given officer, deputy, detective, etc. isn't corrupt. If they "need" to speak with you, it can be done outside of your home. (Best to never speak with law enforcement without your lawyer present.)

Document and insure the valuable contents of your home, and your home itself. Smart phones have made this easier than ever. Get video and pictures you keep accessible. Consider hiding tracking tags in your most valuable items so they can be tracked if taken. Depending on where you live, law enforcement might not care but if it turns out to be a neighborhood punk instead of some border jumping gang you're not going to mess with, you can get your stuff back, or at least know who is who where you live.

Shred whatever paper documents or snail mail you get that you're discarding. Consider using software to scrub any drive (hard drive, for example) you are discarding if you don't outright physically destroy the drive itself.

Being careful and thoughtful about what you do and how you do it can reduce the risks of being assaulted or robbed at home, or suffering from theft. Even if you live somewhere that the District Attorney and the police officers/sheriff deputies are hardcore, you still should take steps to protect yourself and what you've earned.