Robbery!
My block in Fort Greene was totally surprised by a recent house break-in. Apparently someone broke in through the backyard entry and stole a computer. No one had heard of such a thing in at least 10 years, nor even seen any suspicious activity in the back. So now I’ve been keeping the back door locked and am rethinking the window replacement I’ve been planning. As part of a kitchen remodel, I want to replace the old windows, install a larger “picture window” and leave off the outside bars. Could such a window still be built with reinforced glass (?) or something like that without bars, that is still safe? Thanks.
LisaFG
in Doors & Windows 12 years and 7 months ago
9
Please log in, in order to post replies!
9 replies
Goatcrapp | 12 years and 7 months ago
Dog.. seriously. and train it (learn how if you’re unsure… i’d say the majority of dog owners have now idea how to actually train one, beyond ute tricks like “sit”.) I have a sweetheart rottweiler mix and she’s a complete mush as long as a new person is introuced to her by one of her “pack”. She’s even got the right temperment for the neighbors in their yards doesn’t bark at their noises, and generally ignores them while they are in their own property (rotties, especially are patroller type dogs, and “get” property lines if you train them accordingly. ) but… lets say a gardener drops a tool into our side of the fence and wants to retrieve it – he’d best ring the doorbell. She actually won’t attack – but she’s cornered more than one intruder (and to her, uninvited entry into the yard or home = intrusion) and the sounds she makes bring to mind Kujo lol. Anyways – i didn’t mean for this to turn into a brag-about-my-dog fest, but having a good, well trained dog is a GREAT bit of security. Shouldn’t be the only security – but it goes a long way, and as long as it’s not yappy or makes it otherwise unenjoyable for neighbors to use their own yards – the added measure is often appreciated.
xistent | 12 years and 7 months ago
get an a diy alarm. we have no bars, but with windows and doors locked it requires some noise and hassle to break in. after that, my thinking is that an alarm will do the trick. i installed frontpoint diy alrm system when we moved in last over a year ago and it works very well and provides piece of mind.
rh | 12 years and 7 months ago
Get a dog!
LisaFG | 12 years and 7 months ago
Well, thanks for all the input. The house is on Clermont between Fulton and Greene. I always lock my back door at night and when I go out, but frequently left it open for hours if I was at home. I will discuss some other security precautions with the contractor – maybe there’s a grill that won’t ruin the view. –Lisa
Hill | 12 years and 7 months ago
Hi Lisa, If you don’t mind me asking which block exactly did the robbery take place? I’m in Ft Green Pl by Lafayette and looking to sell my house. I hope this will not scare away any prospective buyers.
slopegirl | 12 years and 7 months ago
I think the theory that if your house is harder to get into than neighbors that’s the key… burglars are lazy or they would be in another line of work. We had contractors who wanted to remove back window bars recently and everyone thought I was crazy but I said no. We don’t have bars on front parlor windows and I wish we did, but I put in child window guard bars on the theory that they would be annoying enough to encourage burglars to move on.
SewardWasRight | 12 years and 7 months ago
Bed-Stuy’s also had the same thing start to happen. My neighbors tell me they haven’t seen this in ten years. Over in the Stuyvesant Heights area there have been around ten in the last month or so. They think it is the same group of burglars. They case out the joints during the day and go in during the day or at night – mostly through the front of the house, accessing an open door or window from the stoop. There have been a few break-ins and one instance of a burglar entering through the roof hatch. About half have occurred while the owners were home. I think the best medicine for this is a good and active block association. Also, we have lights on the back of the house that are motion-sensitive. And, of course, we keep our doors and windows locked at all times when we are not around. I don’t think this is cause for alarm (no pun intended). Most burglars would rather go through an open window or door than have to break one (and make a good deal of noise in the process).
ferney1c | 12 years and 7 months ago
I personally have bars on ALL of my back door windows! Even my back door is made of iron! Home invasion can happen in Brooklyn. I would ALWAYS put security FIRST in any remodeling plan I created. Now that your neighbor has been burglarized, consider the event a wake up call. I would especially do the most secure renovation plan on the back of the house. It’s much easier to break into the back of a house. No one sees what is going on in the back of the house! NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR DOORS UNLOCKED AGAIN! This is NYC! You are very lucky you were not the victim.
slopegirl | 12 years and 7 months ago
did the burglars smash the glass in your neighbor’s house? you didn’t used to lock your back door? that’s pretty amazing.