My wife gets up defore the sun and has coffee etc. This morning she took something to the mailbox about 7:45. It was light but not bright yet, sun just coming up. She came back in and thankfully deadbolted the door. About 10 minutes later someone tried the handle on the door four times. Our dors to the outside are all handles. She said that the cat had come in and was sleeping beside her. The cat jumped up and ran to the door. It scared the wife into immobility, she did get up and go into a part of the hall, just past the kitchen where she would be hidden. I wish she had gone to the door and opened the shutters, then again if she had done that and seen someone they may have kicked the door in.
The alarm people are coming, should be here any time now. I am going to have CC cameras installed outside.
I went out and checked the front yard, and the lawns across the street and next door. They are sod and with the morning dew they show any tracks. The only tracks were from a small animal, probably the cat. However, there is a wooded patch on both sides of our house and woods in the back. I think I am going to get a couple of trail cams too.
I am staying home today because she is afraid. We are going to a shooting range so she can get more comfortable with a handgun, I just hope she will keep it handy. In the meantime I think I will keep a 12 guage handy for her, unless the grandkids are over. I keep my .40 cal chambered unless the kids are coming over. I figure if trouble is coming at you it will be coming fast and I have no intention of keeping my gun and my magazine in different places... or my guns locked up in some box. we have home invasions in the metro Atlanta area and they don't give you time to got prepare.
So.. new cameras coming to the house.
Does anyone know if they, being wireless, make for any audio interference? Anything I can head off or should consider?
 
I think this guy, whoever it was, is inexperienced... someone who will progress into more boldness and either rape and rob, maybe kill some homeowner or get killed himself. If he comes back around here he will be on camera and if he comes in here and I am here it will be the last house he comes into. You know, it takes a bit of boldness to actually walk up and try someones door...
 
I hate it because now my wife feels insecure at her own home. We have a screen porch on the back with a couple of chaise lounge chairs where she likes to nap. Maybe it is time to get another couple of dogs, a small one and a big one. The small one to wake up the big one. I had airedales when I was young, maybe it is time for another one. They don't take any BS off any one.
 
Maybe I will get some night vision goggles too.
 
Any ideas?
 
J

I'm glad she's okay jbow. It's a shame that people can't feel secure in their own homes because of these scumbags. It sounds like you're right on the mark with the alarm, cameras, and the target practice. Again, it's disgusting that people have sunk to such levels. Unfortunately, that's our reality these days. God bless you and your wife, and may He protect you both from any more incidents. :)

Wow, J.  I'm sure that was an unpleasant surprise.
 
I can't really give advice on this subject.  You want your family to feel safe in your home.  Sometimes it helps to talk about the fear, figure out exactly what your risks are, and come up with mitigation strategies.  I say this because it is possible to take all of the steps you're describing and still deal with the fear.  I don't have a simple solution, but it seems to me that the mental processing may not only help determine concrete steps to take, but may also provide a sense of confidence and control.
 
In concept, I have nothing against any of the steps you've outlined, even if I might make different choices for my family.  From my experience in dealing with others I've known in similar circumstances, I would recommend taking a breath before you go to DEFCON 1. 
 
Just my $0.02 (after Bouy taxes...)

jbow
 
 
I think this guy, whoever it was, is inexperienced

 
So this happened around 8am? It seems like an odd time for a would-be house-breaker to try his luck. Daylight, and more than likely someone will be in the house..
 
Have any of your neighbours got CCTV, or any nearby business premises?
 
I think a dog (or two) is a great idea. Our little Jack Russell wouldn't scare anyone, but he lets us know if anyone comes onto the property.

Sorry to hear this Julien, but I'm glad to see you taking the "necessary precautions". I too am planning on taking me good lady to a shooting range for some target practice.......we do have to be ready at a moments notice. It's truly sad that society is getting worse and worse, but like Leadfoot said, this is the reality of our times.

Glad nothing happened.
 
I don't see where time has changed anything and I don't
see target practicing with a pistol the method for home defense.  (to each their own)
Maybe a good idea if one is planning on packing.
 
Home defense....

To hell with worrying about aiming. His and hers and you can remodel
your home if need be....without aiming.
5+1 for @$350.00
Take a lot of targets if you go practicing :)....at least 2.

wow, that's bad, Julien!  what area do you live?  I know you're in the Metroplex, but can't remember which city.
 
there have been reports on the news about a bold theif breaking into homes in some north Dallas type area, but I don't remember the details.
 
glad your wife is safe!

spacey
Glad nothing happened.
 
I don't see where time has changed anything and I don't
see target practicing with a pistol the method for home defense.  (to each their own)
Maybe a good idea if one is planning on packing.
 
Home defense....

To hell with worrying about aiming. His and hers and you can remodel
your home if need be....without aiming.
5+1 for @$350.00
Take a lot of targets if you go practicing :)....at least 2.

Wow Michael!!
I never thought about (is that a shotgun?) such a big gun.......my wife is small made (5'1") and didn't think she could handle such a big weapon. I'm in the lookout to get some "Home Defense", and this might work if she can handle it....
What's model is this?

Here Mesh.
 
Don't let her size fool you.
 
I quit hunting some years back and sold the scope stuff
but my wife is bad dangerous with a handgun or a shotgun. (she qualified yearly for over twenty years with both)
 
Generally speaking for the area we live- breaking into a home
is not a smart or safe thing to do...if there are people inside and small
females don't change that a bit.
 
One can change the loads up in a weapon like that and do a LOT of damage.
Slugs to scatter.
 
And Mesh...if you came face to face with a little lady that had one of these pointing
at you...would you really think she couldn't handle using it?....and you can't run fast enough.
 
 

While I'm your typical "more gun restriction and registration" ol cuss, I think that Michael has the right idea here.  When you are dealing with the surprise and stress of a home invasion it's not the best time to test your pistol handling skills you learned on the range.  It's time to make sure you have more and "wider" fire power.  Like he alludes, walls are repairable.  And yes, Mesh, your wife could handle one.  Mine can, but won't;-)
 
The price is right too!