Tis the season...

[Rhett N. Cochran]

In case any of you missed this item, it appeared in the IBJ Email blast yesterday. For those of you in Hamilton County, especially, you'll want to read this, but I suspect that most Indiana counties are experiencing a similar trend:

Robberies on upswing in northern suburbs
Northern Indianapolis suburbs are seeing a rise in thefts, with the greatest increases coming in Hamilton County. They include hikes of 29 percent in Carmel, 23 percent in Fishers and 17 percent in Noblesville. The figures compare 2008 with 2007.

Actually, it's not entirely surprising considering that December is traditionally when the burglars come out to do the most damage anyway (May is the other really heavy month). That, combined with the current economic climate, means that you should be more on guard than ever. (SALES PITCH ALERT) Of course, you should have a monitored security system in your home to help protect your family and your property, but there are other things you can do.

* If you're travelling, use randomized light timers. Make sure your walk stays shoveled and your mail and newspapers are held or picked up for you.
* As Cindy Hartman of Hartman Home Inventory reminded many of us us today, don't leave your boxes out front - it just labels your house as one filled with loot!
* If you DO have a home security system, now would be a good time to make sure you have a yard sign (in good shape) and window decals. If you don't, call your service provider. Studies prove they DO provide a certain amount of deterrence.

[Stephen James]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean fake. I meant real, but inactive monitoring company.

[Rhett N. Cochran]

Being in the business, I don't really recommend the fake ones. Good crooks can spot the fakes a mile away. I know that they're out there and that people use them, but I think it's just like putting a label on your house that says "We really don't have an alarm system." Just like mounting dummy cameras or other such half-measures, this doesn't improve security. It only creates a false sense of security and doesn't actually accomplish anything.

One client of mine actually used the "fake" decals and was broken into anyway. Evidently, the burglar recognized these decals as 'generic' alarm signs not affiliated with any actual alarm company and went in through a back window. She called on me afterward and has had a monitored system ever since. I've heard other stories, but this is the one instance that I know of first hand.

[Stephen James]

So where would you get "fake" yard signs and window decals? Surely, the monitoring businesses wouldn't want to sell them.

[Cindy Hartman]

Hey, Rhett - thanks for the 'sales pitch' for us, too! It's not blatant self-promotion if someone else does if for you, right? I think in our industries, we need to call them "education alerts" instead of "sales alerts". Happy holidays!

[Rhett N. Cochran]

PS, another link of interest: CLICK HERE