Earlier today I came out of my apartment to look around (I like to come outside and look at what people are doing outside - there are construction people and other people around). My neighbor heard me come out and asked me to come in and asked me if I had seen any suspicious people or suspicious activity. (He pointed to his ears and then his eyes and then pointed to people/things/air in general to ask that question, and I can lipread a little bit). I said no. He then gestured me to come inside and he showed me the empty TV set (he is hearing and we didn't have paper and pen on hand at that point) and then showed me the broken glass on his patio door. I said "You've been robbed?!" (gesturing) He said, "Yes!" Apparently he had just gotten home when I came out of my apartment. It was about 5 pm. I had been sleeping for most of the day and then I was busy making phone calls. Then I came outside at 5 pm. Apparently the person who robbed him had climbed into his patio (there are fences on our patios), and then broke the glass (the door has glass panes in it) to get to the deadbolt on his door, and broke in, and took his TV. He was quite upset. Apparently it was an expensive big TV. I had him call 911, and the cops came. I also told him that he should inform the management office of the robbery. Unfortunately, I did not see or hear anything happen so I was unable to provide any suspect information to the cops. Fortunately, he has renter's insurance, so hopefully he will be compensated for the stolen TV and get a new one soon. I think it is going to suck to not have TV to watch. He is disabled, he is an amputee and gets around on crutches, and has a dog. I am surprised that the robber had the gall to break in with the dog there. It is a large dog, but maybe it's because the dog doesn't bark - I can hear large dogs, especially basset hounds, bark with my right ear (the non-implanted ear) - and I have never heard his dog bark ever. There is a sign on his patio door that says "Beware of dog" and the robber still has the gall to rob him! And in broad daylight!
I am very grateful that I was not robbed. From now on, I am going to start leaving the patio light on, as well as a lamp in the living room on all day and all night, so people will think I am home during the day and awake at night and not try to rob me. I may get a higher bill, but I would rather spend a little more each month than have my expensive shit get stolen. I also always keep my windows and patio door and the sliding doors completely covered so no one can look in and see what I have and "case" my apartment if they want to rob me. I frequently check all my locks in all 3 of my doors to make sure they are locked 24/7, and I also double check all the locks each night before I head to bed as well. I am a bit paranoid to start with, so I already check my locks frequently and have done so for a long time anyway. I do not have a dog and can't afford a dog right now. I have 3 cats and that is all I can afford right now. I would consider putting up a "beware of dog" sign but that did not stop the robber from robbing my neighbor, so that probably is pointless. I absolutely cannot afford to be robbed, as I am on a fixed income, and cannot replace expensive things if I have been robbed. I don't have renter's insurance because I didn't think I can afford it, but I think I will do some research and find out if there are any low-cost renter's insurance when I get up later. I live alone but I don't tell strangers where I live. I have two deadbolts on my front door, one with a keyhole, and one that is keyless. Then, there is a deadbolt on my patio door that also has a keyhole, but I think I am going to demand that the management replace it with a keyless one, if it makes any difference, or at least add a keyless one. But I am not sure it would make a difference at all. I also have a lock on my sliding doors to my patio too as well, with a bar across the sliding doors it to prevent anyone from opening the sliding doors if they were able to lock-pick the lock (without breaking the sliding door glass). I think I might ask the management to replace the door with a solid wood one, because it is a wood door with glass panes. But I doubt the management office will fulfill that request. That's how the robber got into my neighbor's apartment, through the same type of door. I cannot afford to move. And my fiance would move in with me, but he cannot afford to right now, and his grandfather was recently ill and was in the hospital last week, so he wants to stay home and keep an eye on his grandparents for a while. (Please do not suggest nursing homes as they do not need that, they are just old, and he was ill last week only because his blood pressure got too low and he passed out - they adjusted his blood pressure medication and he is perfectly fine now. They do quite well for their age and health conditions.)
Aside from what I have just said, does anyone any advice on how I can prevent a robbery or break-in? I am now worried that I will either get robbed while I am not home or someone will break in while I am sleeping, and rape or kill me.
:Ohno: I live alone. I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!