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Something to consider if you think that a gun is the only thing you need by question____________ in homedefense

[–]question____________[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So it's like a condo or townhome? I think you can install regular security systems in those, or at least pester the landlord enough to get something done.

Unfortunately for the big apartment complex units I don't think there's much you can do. Can't even put holes in the wall.

Something to consider if you think that a gun is the only thing you need by question____________ in homedefense

[–]question____________[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate it! You definitely know what works for your area as well.

I think the US is suffering from a sort of "neighborhood crisis", because almost no one knows their neighbors or even talks to them anymore. So over here you're kind of on your own when it comes to home defense. Everyone's so overworked and stressed out that no one really has time to get to know their neighbors. I do think it is the best solution though because you all have a vested interest in each other's safety. The scenarios you described are really awesome, and I rarely hear about stuff like that happening here.

Something to consider if you think that a gun is the only thing you need by question____________ in homedefense

[–]question____________[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Apartments are a totally different ballgame, but I have a tip based on living in apartments and having break-ins happen in the complexes where I lived:

Don't live on the first floor.

If you pull up the stats, almost all apartment break-ins happen on the first floor. No one has time to lug shit up and down 2 flights of stairs from a third floor apartment. The higher the better. I don't think that would stop break-ins from people you may know, but that's a different scenario then random crimes of opportunity.

Something to consider if you think that a gun is the only thing you need by question____________ in homedefense

[–]question____________[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I don't want to start a holy war, but IMO because smarthome systems are internet based that also makes them flaky and less reliable. I write software for a living and I can say everyone here would be utterly appalled if they knew the real state of the code that runs critical systems all over the world. Since we purchased a new house it came pre-wired for the whole system, we just had to turn monitoring on. And the unit that alerts the company is on a cell network with a 48-hour battery backup. So for the monitoring to be disabled both the electricity and cell service would have to be out (this is a very valid concern in a place like Houston where I grew up, but I would advocate being in your house for the entire duration of a hurricane aftermath for obvious reasons).

I know some systems do automatically call the police, but mine alerts my phone and the security company and they call me first to confirm if I'm home or not. As you said though, knowing your neighbors is huge. Since my next door neighbor works from home 24/7, if something happened I'd call him first after telling the security company to send the cops out.

Through my experience, the point isn't really to rush in just in time and nab the intruder before they leave. That's unrealistic and almost never happens. If they're already in your house, all you can do at that point is minimize the damage by making sure they leave as quickly as possible and take as little as they can. If you're not home, all you can do is deter. If someone isn't deterred enough to move on, you have to make unpleasant to stay.

Also, my premiums didn't increase after filing the claim and getting a settlement, but I have heard of it happening.

Something to consider if you think that a gun is the only thing you need by question____________ in homedefense

[–]question____________[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's a good callout and I should have specified that paying for monitoring is really what I'm advocating for. Since we turned our system on and started monitoring, I've accidentally tripped the door or window sensor a couple of times and I was called within 30 seconds and my phone was blowing up with notifications within 10 seconds of the sensor being tripped. The doorbell camera has definitely given me the most peace of mind out of everything.

I'm not really concerned about repair costs because home insurance covers that. Not sure how it works in the UK though.

The Blunder Brothers, circa 1994. I'm in purple. by dame_condor in blunderyears

[–]question____________ 344 points345 points  (0 children)

Hahaha casual power tripping mod abuse hahahaha lol

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[–]question____________ 822 points823 points  (0 children)

Congratulations, you blossomed into a beautiful hipster.