| Incomes are down; crime rates are up. You're feeling | | | | and, lastly weapons in the home. Even more |
| venerable; no afraid. You're looking for peace of mind | | | | concerning was that Guardhouses protecting homes, |
| and security; at home, at the office, in the car, when | | | | Better exterior lighting, "Neighborhood Watch" |
| you jog; but who can afford all that security? You | | | | programs, Deadbolt locks, and Timed interior lights |
| can, and it could come in the form of a reliable | | | | ranked among the least effective |
| companion who cares selflessly about you and your | | | | It seems professional criminals dislike: Things that |
| family. It could be someone who would literally die to | | | | take up too much time, make too much noise, draw |
| keep you, your family, and your home safe. | | | | attention. and put light on the subject. |
| Jack MacLean (author of Secrets of a Super-thief) | | | | In regards to taking too much time, it is common |
| surveyed over 300 prison inmates, men who'd been | | | | knowledge that most thieves like to be in a house in |
| convicted of burglary or other residential crimes. | | | | only a few seconds, perhaps 15-20. If a criminal |
| Three of MacLean's questions were about dogs and | | | | needs more than that he probably won't break into |
| home security. He reported in the findings that when | | | | your house. Therefore good quality, re-enforced |
| asked; Would dogs scare you away? 65% of the | | | | doors and windows with heavy-duty locks are one |
| criminals said that dogs of good size and unfriendly | | | | answer. They are however; Somewhat expensive. |
| persuasion would scare them away, while 35% said | | | | When it comes to light, if you keep the area around |
| no dog would scare them away. Upon further (k-9 | | | | your house lighted it will likely help a lot, no criminal |
| assisted assessment) MacLean concluded that over | | | | wants to be seen. Sensor lights are good and |
| 95% would indeed be scared away. | | | | although somewhat expensive, less than most alarm |
| When asked what kinds of dogs scare them the | | | | systems. |
| most? Inmates answers indicated ; 35% thought | | | | Finally concerning noise, even a small, alert dog, while |
| Dobermans where the most scary, 30% said "pit bull | | | | not intimidating to most people, is a problem to a |
| dogs" where the most scary, 10% said German | | | | burglar - he does not want to hear that barking! But |
| Shepherd Dogs, and 25% said all dogs are scary | | | | having a big dog on the property lets the pros know |
| When asked; "How effective is each of the following | | | | when they are looking for a house to hit, that your |
| likely to be in preventing burglary, breaking and | | | | house is not an easy mark. |
| entering and grand theft?" The offenders reported; | | | | My father always used to say, "If you can't play with |
| Most effective was Monitored burglar alarms, | | | | the big dogs, stay on the porch." In the case of |
| followed in order of effectiveness by; Electronic | | | | criminals such as burglars, it might more correctly be |
| sensors in windows, Closed circuit TV cameras in | | | | said "Stay off the porch. |
| stores, Private security patrols, DOGS IN THE HOUSE | | | | |