Securing Vacant Property

[Terri Pour-Rastegar]

I need some help on this issue ASAP please!!!

I have a vacant property, newly renovated, which has been broken into a few times in just a couple of weeks. I need recommendations for security measures and things to help deter further attacks on this house.

First, 2 of my exterior doors with new deadbolts were broken. They pryed the door open, breaking the jambs and pinching the deadbolt beyond repair. Then, today, one of my contractors informed me they found drug paraphernalia inside this morning. We leave all inside and outside lights on all night. All doors are secured with deadbolts and latches and jamb reinforcement. Strangely enough, the only things stolen were a kitchen faucet (not yet installed) and an installed floodlight--both of which were very inexpensive, thankfully.

I'm very grateful that, so far, they've not vandalized the new work we've done inside. But that seems inevitable at this point.

I'm considering installing a full security system. It could be worth the expense. Any recommendations? I want to hurry and secure this place as best I can.

[Terri Pour-Rastegar]

What I ended up doing (relative to the house in my original post last year) was--and you won't believe this--leaving the doors unlocked. This actually came at the suggestion of the local police. Against my better judgment, I left the doors unlocked, and--to my amazement--no one broke in anymore.

In the meantime, I've learned to take measures to make my properties less interesting to the dirtbags who cause us so much trouble. I lock access to power (or, better yet, move the breaker panel inside), lock access to the crawlspace, beef up the door jambs, install deadbolts with a longer throw, lay a big stick in the track of sliders (or replace them with traditional doors), leave lights on inside with blinds open so cops can see if anyone is inside (they recommended this), keep water shut off at the street (in case they get in and cut up your plumbing), and install chain-link fence posts around AC units. One of the best things I do is request stepped-up police patrols. I call in the request and then try to personally meet the officers in the area, give them my contact info, let them know what I'm doing and that I would love any advice they can offer. They see I'm doing a nice job on my renovation work--that I'm not a slum lord--and they seem to take an extra interest in helping.

I refuse to install burglar bars--it automatically sends a signal that this neighborhood is dangerous. The bars themselves are dangerous in the event of a fire.

The #1 thing I do is: Do not buy in the hood.