Steve, that comports with everything I’ve heard about target selection. To that, I will (again) add a monitored alarm is a strong negative for all but the most accomplished and bold.

The recent systems are not deterred by cutting off power or landline cables. They will not deter smash-and-grab types that kick a door in and race for the master bedroom where people tend to store valuables,  banking on being in the house for only several minutes while the monitoring center confirms a real intrusion. These are low grade people, often addicts, and can’t deal with a safe.

Monitored alarms and safes are not proof against the top of the profession, the cat burglars, but cash and very high end jewelry are their targets. They operate alone.  

The middle tier gangs that steal to order, usually for a fence, are the gun collector’s risk, those who pay for information. They do not like monitored alarms and bolted down safes. Yes, they know all about diamond cutting wheels but that takes time sophisticated alarms won’t allow.  

Service people and slow witted relatives running their mouths are indeed a risk.The third prong should be concealment.  A 200 gun, cherry red monster with external humidity meter, steering wheel size operating handles and an embossed NRA logo could really use an innocuous closet built around it.  Out of sight, out of mind is never a bad idea. I once was spared the loss of a beautiful Zeiss 10×40 binocular bought in Munich because, as we were leaving for the weekend, on impulse I stowed it inside a piano. A gang hit the house and cleaned it of all the silver flatware, jewelry, some coins, etc but didn’t find the binocular. These were serious professionals with smelter equipment in their van for the silver. They went through every drawer in the house, even examined the cans in the pantry and packages in the fridge. The only gun in the house was a cased Colt Buntline commemorative in the den. They looked at it but didn’t take it. The house was not equipped with a security system. Seven or eight houses in the neighborhood were hit by the same gang over a six week period. Only those without monitored alarms were hit. 

Steve, I agree it’s a shame and a constant irritant but, having been hit very hard once in the past,  I don’t know what else to do about it.  I still remember the intense anger and frustration and helplessness  at being so personally violated. Only people who haven’t experienced it would ever say, “after all its only property. It could have been worse if you’d been home.”  I would have given everything they left to have been there and had a fair chance at canceling somebody’s ticket. You don’t get over it soon. 

The first thing I did afterward was have a very complete fire and intrusion system installed. And tested it regularly. And bought a used but elegant old Remington 11 and cut the barrel to 20 inches,losing the Cutts that had killed its retail value. Got an extended mag tube kit from GPC and kept it handy loaded with 8 rounds of #4 buck.  It made me feel better. 

clarence said

Only people who haven’t experienced it would ever say, “after all its only property. It could have been worse if you’d been home.” Zebulon said

  

People who say that (after every disaster, you’ll see them on TV news saying so, “it’s only property”) have never owned anything that can’t easily be replaced by a trip to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, etc., so to them it’s quite true.  Why anyone would want to fill their houses with irreplaceable “old stuff” is incomprehensible to such folks.  

Well stated, Clarence.  I have a lifetime of finds from auctions, flea markets, etc.  That’s why I’m very difficult to buy for when it’s Christmas.  A Home Depot or Walmart gift card is usually of little use to me.