Home Invasion Preparedness

You hear about it in the news, and you see it on TV, and like it or not it happens in our area more than we would like. Certain elements from the inner city make their way to the county, to the more affluent neighborhoods, to rob and steal from the ones who have.

In previous posts I discussed the difference between a primary crime scene and a secondary crime scene. One example I often use is being moved from your front lawn into your own house, or from your garage into your house. Although not technically hijacked, once moved, a person becomes at risk of a more severe type of assault.

Prevention, as we all know, beats reaction. Avoiding such situations are imperative to minimizing the risks associated with home invasions. For example; before opening the garage port or the entrance door, do you ever look around to see if there is someone lurking in the bushes? And for that matter, are your bushes trimmed to where you would be able to see someone if they were hiding in them? It is much easier to stay in the vehicle, turn around and keep driving to a safe place than it is to escape being bound to a chair!

Physical security elements are a major component of a sound safety plan. Simple items such as a sign stating: “Beware of Dog” will be a deterrent, even if you do not actually own a dog. The goal after all, is to make you and your house to look as a less attractive target compared to another potential house, thus convincing a would-be invader to go to where resistance is likely to be minimal.

In addition to a sign, motion sensor lights, alarm systems, and panic buttons are all good physical security elements that would further "harden the target."

However, if you are too late, or if those elements did not suffice you must remember that action is imperative. First thing you must do is to be absolutely definitive and resolute in not giving up. Fight with all your might and leave as many marks on your assailant as possible.  Scratches on someone’s face will make recognition in a line-up easier later on. Not to mention that DNA collected under your fingernails may be used to further determine who attacked you.

If the assailant is harmed and you are trained in disarming him, you may want to do so. I typically recommend against fighting an armed suspect, but once moved into a secondary crime scene this may be your only chance of survival.

If you were not moved into your house, but were already there when the assailant broke in, lock yourself in a safe area, call 911, and wait. Try to plan in advance for means to make your hiding rooms safer, from better locking mechanisms, to assuring there is a charged cell phone there (in case the land line is cut off), and possibly a weapon for self-defense.

There is a HUGE traumatizing, psychological effect to being assaulted in your own home.  Your home is your castle and there are laws designed to protect you in it. Being prepared to deal with this increasing trend of home invasion will further assist you to survive and overcome any such potential situations.

On December 18, from 10:30am to 6:30pm, Masada Tactical will be hosting a . The eight-hour class, taught by three security professionals from the Law-Enforcement community, US Special Operations, and Israeli Special Operations, will provide participants with theory, table-top exercises, and practical skills (such as defeating restraint devices), to assure you survive any potential violent invasion situation.

Stay Safe,

Tzviel ‘BK’ Blankchtein.