My partner was burglarized

[imperialmarkxii]

Practically in his presence!

Upon returning home this afternoon from some local errands, my partner said he was going to take a nap. As I have my own home in the same community around the block,he telephoned me 45 mins. later.

I answered saying: I thought you were taking a nap!?

Well, he replied a couple came to my door claiming they were sister & brother, the man saying "don't you remember me? I did some work for you in the past...surely you remember my sister; (whom he beckoned from a late model high profile vehicle).

Next thing I know, my partner is telling me they're in his living room; talking about they're "Granddad" who lives here, and they are killing time waiting for him to return.

At this point I said tell me I'm not hearing this... So he went on to say the man wanted to use the restroom ( I'm thinking GEEEESH!)while he visits the "sister" in the front room.(at this point I'm frantic, saying to myself "wake me up from this NIGHTMARE!)

One would have to know my partner to realize he is one of the last TRUE GENTLEMAN left in the world, as well as one of the least suspecting; up until this time he thought gee, it's taking him a while; But I don't dare go to investigate now (fear starts taking over).

Finally, the guy comes out, & sister said "lets see if Grandad has returned" and they left.

By this time, most of my faculties had been strongly TESTED; ie: fear, emotion speehlessness.At the same time, however, realizing he was still around to tell the story, that goes w/o saying; could have been much worse. ...

I alerted others of the incident as well as the police (sheriff's)I reminded Dick, (my partner)THIS IS WHAT SECURITY DOORS ARE FOR! Regardless of how smooth talking or convincing strangers can be.

At first it didn't appear anything was stolen, but upon further investigation found numerous chains & bracelets taken; and a report was filed. ...UGHHHHHH!!!

As vice president of the HOA here,one of my concerns is safety & security, so this wasn't making me feel too good either. ...

If anything is to be gained here, let this serve as a reminder of the times were living in, especially with the holidays upon us.

In closing I'd like to say take care of yourself, AND one-another. ...

-Russell

 

[toggleswitch2]

Thanks for the heads-up.

A freind of mine always teased me that I lock doors and windows and cars so autoimatically that I'm not even conscious of it most times. Then he moved from the suburbs to the city and had his house broken into.

I had to inform him that there are "gangs" that divvy-up neighborhoods and have the full-time career of just watching and waiting to "hit" homes the minute one goes away for a few days.

He quickly said "I see now why you do what you do".

I am thankful your partner wasn't hurt, and I'd say change at least one lock on each door (in case keys were stolen or duplicated) and sign up for those credit-card; no make that credit-score alerting services that inform one of suspicious activity possibly indicating identity theft.

Hopefully, thanks to your alert, one will not have to experience this to learn from it.

Best regards,

me.

 

[panthera]

Well said, Toggles

I tend to be overly paranoid in the US - we need several years in all of Germany to match one week in Detroit for violent crime...
But it's true. There are nasty people out there and they do target gay men.

Glad nobody was hurt, hope you two are well.
Panthera

 

[thomasortega]

That's why I live in the safest building in my city.
Unless there are other buildings which the concierge has a gun...

 

[thomasortega]

And before I forget, we also have, in my opinion, the best electronic security system money can pay.

It's a Canadian system from DSC, that virtually can't be hacked and coincidently the monitoring company is on the same block as my building, so they can literally arrive in seconds after the alarm went off or someone hit the panic button.

 

[Cybrvanr]

another good point to make too is to be sure and secure your telephone connection if it is on the outside of the house. The "power" of a security system is not it's siren (we here these things everyday in the city) it's the monitoring service. The monitoring service cannot work if the security system cannot communicate with it. Criminals know this, and the first thing they do before breaking into a house is to find the telephone box and disconnect the phone line. This effectively disables a security system, no matter how good it is!

 

[whirlcool]

There are security systems out there that can send a alert to the monitoring center via an antenna on the roof if the phone lines get cut.

We didn't get a security door because we find them unsightly and our neighborhood is pretty good. So we got a screen door instead. It stays locked all the time. If someone wanted to force through it to get to you, you'd have time to slam the main door.

A few weeks ago, Karen had a very strange visitor. It was a guy about 30 years old or so rang the doorbell and asked us if we knew of a missing black and white dog. She asked him what breed it was, and he said he didn't know. He said he thinks it came from our neighborhood somewhere. Karen told him to bring the dog to the door so she could see it. He said he didn't have it with him, it was at his house. So she asked him why is he out trying to find the owner of a lost dog without the dog in his possession. He couldn't answer, but he did ask her her name and she told him to buzz off and locked the door without revealing anything. She then waited for him to promptly drive off. Strange, eh?

 

[iheartmaytag]

My security system company offers a system that has a cellular back-up. It automaticaly alerts if the phone lines are cut. This became very popular since we had BTK running lose in ICT for 30 years.

This scam goes on quite a bit, usually they target older adults and depend on their kindness to swindle them. Often they don't even know it happened, or remember what the perps looked like when their loss is discovered.

 

[alr2903]

It's not unheard of for these wicked people to to show up as religous folks in appropriate garb, it seems to work quite well when they get inside the home of elderly folks, they gain their trust. If there is a heaven they will definately be in the "customer service" line. alr2903

 

[toggleswitch2]

~He couldn't answer, but he did ask her her name and she told him to buzz off and locked the door without revealing anything. She then waited for him to promptly drive off. Strange, eh?

In NYC you DO NOT have an un-listed (in directory assistance) telephone number because "thieves" will call your house at all kinds of hours to learn your schedule. Was easier in the days before caller ID and answering machines, but still-- big brother (thieves) are always watching you!

Now with the Christmas insanity -er season-- coming, one does NOT load the trunk (boot=> UK) and car itself full of goods then continue shopping. You are ASKING to have your car robbed.

 

[alr2903]

Get this

from the paper

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/31/victim-has-last-laugh-on-robber/

 

[thomasortega]

My building's security system isn't connected to the regular phone line.

As the company is next to the building, they just had to drill the wall to pass a cable that connects our system to their phone system as we were an extention.

Anyway, the system takes a few seconds to "dial" their computer's extention number and transmit the event. Much before that, they can hear the siren as one of our sirens is installed on their side of the wall and start getting ready to react.

It's amazing how a simple computer can do so much simple things that together can make a huge difference in an emergency. The tiny PCB from DSC (smaller than a washing machine PCB) can control the lights and emergency lights, burgular alarm, fire alarm, evacuation sequence, sprinklers and the Co2 tanks, elevators (in case of fire) and the three gates.

But technology can prevent the human factor. A few years ago we had a huge problem with two "teenagerrorists" that lived here.
There was a week that the fire alarm went of more than 5 times and everyone started to ignore it. The situation was so bad that the concierge reprogramed the system to alert only his office and make the evacuation sequence start only after entering a password. (and make everyone spend precious time if a real fire occurs)

Finally they moved to another city (and we all celebrated no more false alarms, no more scratched cars or other kinds of vandalism)

Thank God it was the only bad situation we had to deal. All my neighbours are fantastic, and I have absolutely nothing to complain. Even the children and teenagers are lovely (Please note that I hate children, but not those ones). We're all close friends, but at the same time, even keeping our front doors wide open almost all the time, everybody respects each other's privacy. It also helps our security because we can notice if there's something wrong just with a quick look at the face even if the person says it's everything all right. If I shout "Heeeeelp" right now, I'm sure one of my neighbours will reach my bedroom in seconds.

It's 2:30am, my front door is unlocked and I feel a priceless sensation of protection. I know the DSC system is on, the security guards are walking around the building and maybe or maybe not, one of them will come here to get something to eat or drink while I sleep because I invited and authorized them to do so. Our code is the light under the door. If the light is on, they can't get in, if it's off, they can come in and get what they want from the minibar I have in the living room. Sometimes I prepare some chocolate mousse, cupcakes or some mini sandwiches and a big jug of iced tea or coffee for them. (Unfortunately they are straight so years ago I forgot the "Whitney Houston on Kevin Costner's arms" thing. LOL).

Best of all, once I went to bed and let a pile of dirty dishes on the sink. When I woke up, the dishwasher was loaded and there was a note on a paper towel "I'm sorry Mrs. Ortega, I was going to run it but I couldn't find the detergent. I wish you and your son have a good morning." Guess who did it...

 

[imperialmarkxii]

Thanks one and ALL

for all your wonderful responses,and most of all for SHARING & CARING.

It really helps ease the yucky isolated feeling one gets when their privacy has been violated in this manner.

-Russell

P.S. We really ENJOYED all the responses.

 

[toggleswitch2]

In NYC you DO NOT have an un-listed

Have a LISTED Tel #. that is

 

[cuffs054]

Russell,
I'm glad no one was hurt. But what's the point of a "burglary" if no gets tied up(!)

 

[toggleswitch2]

Quitame las esposas por favor.

.
Whatever do you mean? ...he asks innocently

 

[gotwasher]

security

Hi all from minnesota hope all is well i live were i can leave my door open as i have a 75 pound rover and a cat to care of that detail. It works good as we have quiet neiborhood just 2 cents thank you.

 

[electroluxxxx]

I sleep next to my knife and I have a pretty good muscular build so nothing to worry about here lol. I live in a pretty quiet town anyways. if there is one thing I fear about being stolen it is my dj system or my vacuums and computers.

I am sorry to hear about your partners break in. hope all goes well with the investigation

 

[thomasortega]

There's nothing like PROPAGANDA!!!!

Muscular built... knife...

It reminds me Hugh Jack-hot-man as Wolverine.

Please send you CV to my building's administration office.

If they hire you, I'll get rid of my minibar and put a side by side refrigerator in my living room.

just my two cents... well, two millions! LOL