Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
What You Need to Know about Dealing with Intruders

March 2005
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Dear Reader,

Welcome to the Crime Prevention Tip of the Month. First, a little about me. I'm a working Police Officer in my thirtieth year with a major North American Police Service. I've been involved in Crime Prevention for 9 years and specialize in CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). In fact, I instruct other officers in this at the Police College. In my position as Crime Prevention Officer, I consult with homeowners, businesses and developers in their attempt to design out crime.

I am delighted to contribute to the Mr. Goodbar® website. I firmly believe that physical security is the best kind of security because it leaves no question in the mind of the criminal as to the premise's level of protection. In my opinion, the use of window bars is the next best visual deterrent to having a Police Officer standing on your lawn.

What You Need to Know about Dealing with Intruders
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First, let me say that it is highly unlikely any of you will ever have the unpleasant experience of finding an intruder in your home. As I've said before, criminals are cowards. If they have the slightest inkling that you're home, they're out of there. Generally, they are more afraid of you than you are of them.

So why am I writing about something you'll never have to deal with? For the same reason you have a fire escape plan and practise fire drills (and if you don't, what are you waiting for?!). Planning before an emergency, while you are calm, can make the difference between a positive outcome and a not-so- positive outcome for you and your family.

If you come home and see evidence that someone has been in the house (broken or open window, open door) do not go in. Call 911 from a neighbor's and wait for the police.

If you wake up and hear an intruder in another room of the house, do whatever you can to escape safely. Don't worry about leaving other family members. You'll help them the most by getting the police. Decide on the best possible escape routes for each family member now.

If you cannot get out, barricade yourself in the room. Then call the police. If there is no telephone, open the window and scream for help. The natural reaction to an intruder is to stay very quiet, but you need to alert anyone and everyone to your situation so you can get help.

If you cannot barricade the door the next best option is to hide. This is the time you want to stay quiet. Ideally, you want to call police before hiding. Identify a few hiding spots around your house. Look for places that aren't too obvious, or that are full of items you can get behind.

If the intruder is in your room, pretend you are sleeping while carefully watching and listening for a chance to escape. If he approaches you, overcome that natural instinct to stay quiet and start screaming. The more noise you make, the greater the chance he'll be caught, and he knows it.

If you find yourself face to face with the intruder, turn around and run. If this isn't possible, avoid eye contact and try to stay calm. Don't threaten the intruder. And remember, using any type of weapon as a threat increases the chances of you or your family being injured. A great number of people who resort to weapons end up having that very weapon taken and used on them. Weapons should only be used as a last resort.

Share this information with your kids in as non-threatening a way as possible. Kids understand the need to be prepared; we've been putting them through fire drills for years, and most families talk about things like what to do if a stranger grabs you. Stress the need to make noise if they can't escape or hide. Also, go over calling 911. Tell them to give the address and state the problem clearly. If they need to stay quiet though, they can just call 911, set the phone down, and run and hide.

Want secure windows your family can still use for emergency escape? Click here to see Mr. Goodbar's solution.

Want secure windows your family can still use for emergency escape? Click here to see Mr. Goodbar's solution.

Protect Your Friends and Family
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