Home Invasions, Grocery Store, Petit Family

HOME INVASIONS

A NEW AMERICAN CRIME WAVE
HOW TO
LIVE SAFE & BE SAFE

Some thirty years ago I was asked to review a community that was suffering from intrusions, burglaries and home robberies. Back then they called it an index crime of ‘Burglary”. Upon review of the community most of the victims contributed too their own victimization. They not only broadcast their wealth, but invited intruders by making it simple to penetrate their homes, property and even vehicles. Communities were up in arms, what was the police going to do?, who is going to protect us?, and then the fear mongers came along with selling security alarm systems, exterior lighting, and instance of increased private security and police patrols.

The big issue back then, as today is “FEELING SAFE” & “BEING SAFE”, (see my book “Feel Safe & Be Safe” available on-line) now comes the 21st Century and the problem has increased with violence, intrusion and what the media now calls “Home Invasion”. It’s like fiction turning to reality, when the movie “Rollerball” saw control of our cities.

This is nothing new in the world of crime; it’s just been imported from South and Central American countries who have lived with this problem for years. Add to America the increased population of organized gangs like MS-13, and the lack of immigration controls with a criminal environment that is being warehoused in what we call prisons, eventually most are released to our unsuspecting, unprepared communities.

The tragedy of Dr. Petit family, the Connecticut home invasion, is that two parolees attack, assaulted and murdered the family, finds the community stunned and in shock. Why here? How could this be? Many are asking!

Let’s take a look at this incident as just one examination of the problem. How is it possible that a parole board looses track of its wards, then houses them together in a half-way house for reentry into society. The way I’ve always understood it, a parolee is not to associate with other convicted felons, not communicate or socialize with former criminal offenders, report to the parole officer and maintain a job and record of behavior worth being released from controls by the State.

YET, I find that half-way houses are breeding grounds for parolees to meet, congregate, communicate, associate and live together. How odd is this! We have legal restrictions about parolee associations, yet the State houses parolees in the same housing unit, work together and travel together. As in the Connecticut case, both offenders, murderers had extensive history of what has been described by bleeding heart media types as “petty crimes”. Burglary is not a petty crime. Any law enforcement officer can tell you that a Burglar is a person ready to commit violence if confronted during the crime. A person who commits burglary of a home, whether it’s in the day or night is prepared for violence.

Home Invasions have become the crime of the 21st Century for Americans. At any given time, invasion of the home is potential for crimes of violence, including murder. Many home invasions are crimes committed by gangs as initiation rituals or against other gang members. Other home invasions are for profit as a crime of intrusion, in an effort to finance other gang business. Some home invasions are strictly for power and control by the invaders with direct links to the victim. It may be a child’s affiliation with gang members, a daughter who has caught the eye of gang members, or even an intrusion for the purpose of sexual assault.

Home invasions often correspond with a criminal behavior of a family member, drugs, guns, flash cash, wealth and even sexual provocation. Often it is not a total stranger that becomes the target, but rather a connection to the invaders can be traced back to a member of the household. If its drug related, often the underground world of drug and grow-houses are the targets. Low level drug dealers are vulnerable and gang initiation may be the primary purpose of the invasion.

One problem that we are all faced with is the totally innocent victim, like in the Dr. Pillet Connecticut matter,

a roving duo willing to commit any horrendous crimes to make their mark. These thugs, with a criminal history dating back years followed Mr. Pillet and her daughter from a Grocery Store to their home, waiting till the early hours in the morning, when they were vuilnerable and then entered the house through the rear to terrorize, rape and murder the family. Fortunately Mrs. Pittet noticed the duo and notified the store clerk who got involved and called police, who responded. Too late for the family but at least on time to capture the offenders.

At times the wrong house is invaded, mistake in address, apartment number or even street name leads to a home invasion that was meant for others.

How do we protect our fort (home)? Panic alarms, lights flashing, loud sirens, front doors and rear door protective secured, electronic intrusion signals prior to crossing the threshold of the property, from the perimeter onto the driveway, in the rear yard and even a laser alarm enunciator to signal the home owner that someone has crossed the property threshold. Having all occupants in the home familiar with the safety procedures, how the warning system works, familiarized with the warning sounds, locking mechanisms and the emergency calling system. It takes planning, and continued review.

In the past few months more than 20 American home invasions have occurred. For the Petit family of Connecticut, Home Invasion meant death of a family and death of many dreams. It is not just in the wealthy communities, it’s across America.

It will take more than police to resolve this new dimension of crime. It will take the community, to protect itself. If it takes community planning, watch groups and even volunteer patrols, then the community may reduce it’s exposure to such horrendous crimes.

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