Editor:
Re: Daily break-ins plague South Surrey, Dec. 9.
In response to your headline article, I would like to add two important observations.
One is the misconception that security systems deter thieves i.e. “keep them out.” This is not true.
Their chief value, and a very important consideration, is that of restricting the time the thief spends in your home, thereby limiting the amount of valuables he can carry off.
All of the police I dealt with emphasized that fact. Having last month gone through my own traumatic break-in – despite a monitored system and family of dogs – I now realize the reason I suffered such a big loss, including my 40- and 50-year collection of fine jewelery, was due to a false sense of protection.
One jeweller told me he thought he had his house secured like Fort Knox. The thieves got in.
Secondly, I make the mistake that most women make of keeping my jewelry in my bedroom. Thieves are very aware of the psychological need people have to keep their treasures close by while asleep. On entry, they make a beeline for the bedroom, clear it out in five minutes, and are off to their next job long before anyone, police or neighbour, arrive.
In my case, I returned to my home late afternoon to find a police cruiser and two caring neighbours in my driveway. My bedroom looked like a scene out of a movie.
My neighbour across the street yelled at the man as he walked up my driveway with my computer. He threw it in the bushes and sped to his small red car with his backpack filled with my small cache of treasures.
It is imperative to have your security system monitored. Not doing so makes it useless.
I hope that others can learn from my mistakes. Thieves are getting bolder. Just locking doors and windows doesn’t work anymore.
Sybil Rowe, Surrey
