This tale of an attempted home break-in was posted this morning on the Bernalsafe mailing list. It’s a reminder about the importance of vigilance, and keeping an eye out for one another in our glamorous little neighborhood. Let’s be careful out there! (Reposted by permission.)
Sunday, Jan 2nd two young males attempted to break-in to our house in the middle of the day. It was around 1pm and my neighbor saw two males lingering on our corner, checking in the windows and touching the door-knob.
She watched them prepare, make sure no one was home, move their car into our driveway, pick up a knife and prepare to go in the window. Thankfully she was extra-alert (as all good neighbors are) and called 911. She remained on the phone with the police until they arrived and apprehended the two young men.
This is especially concerning since it happened in the middle of the day on a fairly busy street. Our house is on the corner of Anderson and Eugenia, so fairly exposed.
We were so thankful that no one was hurt and no property was damaged, but obviously still shaken by the attempt. Just wanted all neighbors to know and remember to take whatever precautions you can.
Photo: Burgled from the Internets
Bernalwood 
From Bayview Station Captain Greg Suhr’s newsletter (w/o permission but something tells me he won’t mind):
Ten Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here last week cleaning your
carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in
your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window
to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste…. And taste
means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out
always make me wonder what type of gaming systems they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up in the driveway.
And I might leave a pizza flyer on your front door to see how long it
takes you to remove it.
5. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let
your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set.
A good security company alarms the windows over the sink and the windows
on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom- and your
jewelry.
6. It’s raining. You’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forgot
to lock your door. But understand this: I don’t take the day off because
of bad weather .
7. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions or
offer to clean your gutters. If you don’t answer, I try the door.
Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
8. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always
check dresser drawers, the bedside table, the medicine cabinet and the
freezer.
9. Here are some helpful hints: I almost never go into kids’ room, I
hate loud dogs and nosey neighbors, and most importantly: A loud TV or
radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.
10. Avoid announcing your vacation plans on your Facebook page. It
is easier than you think to look up your address on the internet.
Awesome. Thank you!!
Pingback: SFPD Crime Prevention Tips: “Ten Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You” | Bernalwood
I live on that block and in 6 months have had my car broken into, bike stolen and on two occasions heard someone try to see if my door was unlocked.