An Internal Investigation

State of the art security systems, heavy duty safes and deadbolts make up the anti-theft business. But if you really want to protect your valuables why not just go straight to the source?

Chris Mcgoey is the author of “Burglars On the Job” and runs the website crimedoctor.com. Mcgoey along with Richard T. Wright; a University of Missouri Criminology Professor interviewed 105 convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California and Kentucky to gain inside knowledge to protect your assests from their sticky fingers.

Their tips include everything from where you may recognize them from, to why your genorosity could be your downfall to how you can use the weather to your advantage. For example if it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Fresh snow in the driveway is a dead giveaway for anyone prowling the neighborhood.

To find out all 13 secrets of common burglars continue reading. It’s not every day you can enter the minds of the people looking to steal every thing you own.

TIPS FROM CONVICTED BURGLARS
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Live those flowers. That tells me you have taste and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always makes me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and you jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kid’s rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.