# What is the best way to prevent home invasions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 6, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754 "2009-02-06T21:47:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/81 "2009-02-09T15:59:28Z")
I think the blanket term “home invasion” is misleading. Different people see it as different things. An opportunist thief looking for an open garage door in the middle of the night to sneak in and out with your hedge trimmer is different than a coked out ex-boyfriend looking to kill the entire family. You don’t go about preventing the two in the same way. One you close and lock doors, put in some outdoor motion lights, get a yippy dog. The other you get a german shepard and a shotgun. Since I don’t have any estranged wacko exs or any maximum security prisons for the insanely violent near my house I opt for locks & lights and sleep fine at night. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/82 "2009-02-09T16:07:49Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Rescue workers travelling into a hurricane to evacuate people is courage. Criminals travelling into a hurricane to loot is greed. Both happened during Katrina. All you’ve done is give examples, not a definition. So I’ll proffer two: 1. Courage is the mental fortitude to will oneself to risk or endure physical injury or pain in order to achieve a desired goal. 2. Courage is the ability to overcome one’s fears–to be afraid of the consequences of an action and do it anyway. I think **Der Trihs** has a point. Courage is a virtue, but it’s possible to possess it while lacking the equally valuable virtues of honor & compassion. Just because a person has one virtue does not mean he has all others, or that he lacks the capacity to be otherwise venal. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/83 "2009-02-09T16:13:07Z")
Join or make a neighborhood watch program. I’m with the loud dog group too. My lab wouldn’t harm a fly but her bark would make the intruder go to a house without a dog. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/84 "2009-02-09T17:52:45Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > Yes, yes. Very noble, and all that. > > In the _meantime_, short of a massive wealth redistribution scheme, what _practical_ measures might one take to prevent home invasions? > . It’s very easy. Just don’t keep a lot of cash or valuables in the home. Home Invasion robberies are not launched randomly, usually they know in advance that you (often because you are a member of certain ethnic groups that traditionally keep a lot of cash at home, and also gamble a lot- out here almost all home invasion robberies are into Vietnamese homes) keep a lot of cash at home. Or you are well known for a art, gun or jewlery collection. Home invasions are not done at random (in general) nor are they done to steal your big screen TV and your Laptop. The score must be something of high value and easily spent or fenced. Perimeter or door Alarms are usually not of a lot of use- as they knock on the door and when you answer they burst in with guns. Dogs also are not a big help (they will just kill the dog, unless you have a real honest-to-god attack dog, which I doubt), nor are safes (they will torture you until you open it). Most dudes are are giving answers about home _burglaries_, which are entirely different from home invasion. For example, any noisy dog will deter a lot of casual home burglaries. Knowing you have a gun could make your home a target for a burglary, but would deter a robbery. Some nice bit of the usually upper-middle class “stuff” like electronics, normal jewely, and such are tempting targets for burglaries, buit none of that is wanted for robberies, unless you have a lot of high value diamonds or gold. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/85 "2009-02-09T19:39:23Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > All you’ve done is give examples, not a definition. So I’ll proffer two: > > 1. Courage is the mental fortitude to will oneself to risk or endure physical injury or pain in order to achieve a desired goal. > > 2. Courage is the ability to overcome one’s fears–to be afraid of the consequences of an action and do it anyway. > > I think **Der Trihs** has a point. Courage is a virtue, but it’s possible to possess it while lacking the equally valuable virtues of honor & compassion. Just because a person has one virtue does not mean he has all others, or that he lacks the capacity to be otherwise venal. You actually gave one definition only slightly rephrased, not two. Your definition could have the word “courage” replaced with the “determination” and it would mean the same thing. Like many people, you are confusing courage and determination. A Nazi who risked pain and injury to carry out his orders strikes me as simply very determined to do evil, rather than courageous. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/86 "2009-02-09T20:51:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Don’t live in the wrong house at the wrong time. > > That’s the only difference between those who get invaded and those who don’t. I think you’re about right. Unless you live in a house with reinforced doors and bars on the windows, any security system in the world won’t protect you from someone simply breaking a window. I think dogs are a great deterrent. A gun could be very important if you are home and in danger, but they are also tempting targets for thieves. Speaking of which, don’t let anyone know you have guns, or whatever other valuables you have. Even if they are 100% honest, they might mention the fact to someone who isn’t so honest. Same with people coming into your house. Try to limit how many contractors see the inside of your home, I’ve heard quite a few stories of shady contractor employees coming back after hours to pick up a few choice items. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/87 "2009-02-09T21:04:13Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Rescue workers travelling into a hurricane to evacuate people is courage. Criminals travelling into a hurricane to loot is greed. Both happened during Katrina. The criminals are being courageous in the cause of greed. > [@Scumpup](#): > > Your definition could have the word “courage” replaced with the “determination” and it would mean the same thing. Like many people, you are confusing courage and determination. > A Nazi who risked pain and injury to carry out his orders strikes me as simply very determined to do evil, rather than courageous. No, that was courage in the Nazi as well. Courage in the cause of evil is still courage. Relabeling it when bad people exhibit it doesn’t make it something else. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/88 "2009-02-09T21:09:04Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > What if I don’t like dogs? 😃 Grizzly bears. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/89 "2009-02-09T21:33:07Z")
> [@Mellivora\_capensis](#): > > Circles. > > Start with a wide outer circle, and gradually work your way to the smallest circle, being your bedroom. \ ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/90 "2009-02-09T22:12:18Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The criminals are being courageous in the cause of greed. > > No, that was courage in the Nazi as well. Courage in the cause of evil is still courage. Relabeling it when bad people exhibit it doesn’t make it something else. Courage is a virtue. You cannot show virtue in the course of doing evil. Nazis and criminals may display determination, or daring but they do not display courage. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/91 "2009-02-09T22:16:27Z")
Heedless and reckless are two more words that spring to mind that more accurately describe criminals who place themselves in danger while committing their crimes. A Nazi might even be said to have elan; but not courage. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/92 "2009-02-09T22:23:37Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Courage is a virtue. You cannot show virtue in the course of doing evil. Nazis and criminals may display determination, or daring but they do not display courage. That’s simply wrong. People can show plenty of virtues while committing evil. A virtue possessed by someone evil is still a virtue. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/93 "2009-02-09T22:25:32Z")
“What is the best way to prevent home invasions?” Don’t build your home in the US or South Africa? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/94 "2009-02-09T22:41:05Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That’s simply wrong. People can show plenty of virtues while committing evil. But-but-but… that would mean that good and evil are not stark opposites, easily recognizable, either black or white. How will we know the difference if we allow for shades of grey? ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/95 "2009-02-09T22:48:35Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > But-but-but… that would mean that good and evil are not stark opposites, easily recognizable, either black or white. How will we know the difference if we allow for shades of grey? Silly rabbit! You should know it is only evil if the bad guys do it. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/96 "2009-02-09T23:19:32Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That’s simply wrong. People can show plenty of virtues while committing evil. A virtue possessed by someone evil is still a virtue. Sorry, no. You are the one who is wrong here. If a given act is evil and committed premeditatedly, then nothing comes of that act but evil. You all can hoot and jeer all you want\_especially those of you who have a personal history of evil\_but all you are doing is rationalizing. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/97 "2009-02-09T23:46:02Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Sorry, no. You are the one who is wrong here. If a given act is evil and committed premeditatedly, then nothing comes of that act but evil. > You all can hoot and jeer all you want\_especially those of you who have a personal history of evil\_but all you are doing is rationalizing. THey may be rationalizing, but you are being ridiculous. Cleanliness is a virtue, ergo all Nazis were slovenly. Efficiency is a virtue, ergo the Nazi death camps weren’t able to ‘process’ all that many jews after all. Faith is a virtue, ergo all those muslim suicide bombers? They don’t _really_ believe they’re earning themselves a place in heaven. Sorry, no, that’s ridiculous. Courage means something\*, and anybody who meets that definition is by definition couragous. Regardless of what they’re doing. - I’m thinking something like “being able to act despite feeling oneself to be in a frightening situation.” I’m not thinking “as long as the act is determined by **Scumpup** not to be evil” is part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/98 "2009-02-10T00:50:10Z")
[Virtue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues) has a very specific meaning to one of Catholic background such as myself. Cleanliness and efficiency are not virtues. Once cannot display virtue in the commision of evil. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/99 "2009-02-10T01:06:05Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > [Virtue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues) has a very specific meaning to one of Catholic background such as myself. Cleanliness and efficiency are not virtues. Once cannot display virtue in the commision of evil. Care to lay odds how many other people in the thread are using your definition, rather than the considerably broader standard english definition? My guess: zero. Edit: I also don’t see where it says that you can’t be Couragous in the commission of evil, in your link. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754/100 "2009-02-10T01:34:09Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > [Virtue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues) has a very specific meaning to one of Catholic background such as myself. Cleanliness and efficiency are not virtues. Once cannot display virtue in the commision of evil. We all noticed you avoided addressing begbert2’s example of the faith of muslim suicide bombers. They have faith in the same god you do, so are you saying they are not committing evil? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-prevent-home-invasions/484754.md?page=6)