As a victim of multiple burglaries (see my other threads) I feel myself indirectly (and unfortunately) somewhat experienced to speak on this topic.
Rule #1: You must create layers of protection. No one method will prevent a burglary. In fact if a person really wants to break in, they will always find a way. The most you can do is make it as difficult as you can to make them want to find a much easier target instead. (aka, don't be the slowest sheep in the herd)
Rule #2: The first layer starts with PREVENTION. Alarms, cameras etc. they are all REACTIVE means of burglary control. Notice I said control and not "prevention" because alarms and cameras only are useful once the burglar is already inside your house. So the first step is to keep them from even getting in your house.
Rule #3: Keep the burglar from even getting in your house. Luckily (in a way) you have some previous experience to build upon to find what the weaknesses of your house is. If the burglar kicked in the front door, make sure you get a reinforced door, deadbolt AND MOST IMPORTANTLY door frame. Prevent door break in by reinforcing the entire door/frame. Check out websites like
http://www.armorconcepts.com/ for door frame reinforcements. My entire door and frame is completely reinforced and I put a security bar behind the door because I never enter through the front door. I would also consider a metal security screen that opens outwards so it cannot be kicked in. Get a lock pick and LOCK BUMP PROOF lock. Keys are antiquated methods of door entry and should be replaced. Biometric, security lock etc.
Rule #3 con't: Secure all windows. Put security bars on each window. Or do like I did. My HOA would not allow security bars so instead I got put window locks in and put security film on each window. Essentially you can take a baseball bat to my windows and it will only shatter but never break (similar to bullet proof glass) and being double paned, they get cut with glass debris before they get in. Then I put glass-break sensors on each door so the alarm would go off well before they could even get in the house. Next I made sure to disconnect the pull release on my garage door and wired it shut. For more on this:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CMz1tXBVT1s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Basically, short of a military grade battling ram, there isn't any way someone is getting into my house. Oh and this is on top of the gate around my house they'd have to get past first.
Rule #4: Surveillance on the interior is good, but surveillance on the exterior is even better. Motion sensing lights and cameras. Always store surveillance footage in a secure spot or online in a off-site location.
Rule #5: NOT ALL ALARM COMPANIES ARE CREATED EQUAL. Make sure you get an alarm company with ARMED GUARD RESPONSE. Basically a guy packing heat will show up; not some glorified mall guard with a walkie-talkie. Generally I find local alarm companies, not national chains, are much better and responsive. National chains go to random nationwide call centers and all they do is call your "call list". USELESS! Find one with local response. It might cost you more but it's worth it. Also, test your alarm company once every 6 months. I would "accidentally" trigger my alarm to see what their response time was. I had mine in best case scenario of 10 minutes and worst case of 30. Use judiciously as too many false alarms will put you on a list. Finally, run all wires in conduit! Bare wires can be cut in minutes. Wires in conduit take hours.
Rule #6: Know thy neighbors. I've gotten to know my neighbors really well and they look out for me as I look out for them. We have each other emails and phone numbers and talk to each other immediately on any suspicious activity.
Rule #7: Hide your valuables. None of my valuables are in places you would expect them. DO NOT put things in the bedroom, office etc. Always put valuables in places people would not expect. How many burglars are going to look in laundry room? Or how about under the trash liner in the trash can next to the toilet. How about the pantry behind some canned foods? Before you throw away a box of cereal, why not line it with some paper towels and put some valuables in there. Is a burglar really going to fish through a box of Capt'n Crunch to look for some jewelry? Even better yet, if it's really important, put it in a safety deposit box at the bank. If someone actually broke into my house (which they won't based on the above) the most value they could actually steal is about $8K worth of stuff, which is easily covered by insurance.
Rule #7: Speaking of which, only keep things you are willing to lose and can be covered by insurance. If you have sentimental things on your computer, back it up in an off-site/online storage. Heirlooms, put in a safety deposit box or fireproof safe bolted into concrete. Family pictures? Seriously, who's going to steal those? Worst case she can leave them with you. Everything else can be replaced.
Rule #8: Remember layers. Think of other deterrents. DOGS, lights on timers, security safes, fake cameras (in addition to real ones, stalls them), locks and more locks.
Rule#9: If all else fails.... MOVE. The best deterrent to crime is to go where no crime exists. Believe it or not but there are areas in the world where crime like this doesn't happen. My parents lived in the same house for over 30 years and never had a single thing stolen from them.
Again, I re-terate, you cannot prevent burglaries. All you can do is make it so difficult for them, that they decide it's not worth it and instead go for the house down the street.
Can she sue them for not doing their job?
