.
Feedback

Ask the Patch Pros: Home Security

Our panel of local experts is ready and willing to answer your questions about home safety and security.

The safety and security of your home is one of those things everyone seeks, but perhaps doesn't know the best way to achieve.

Fret not, as a panel of local Patch Pros is ready and willing to offer you tips and tricks for keeping your homestead safe.

Molly Anderson has been with the Edina Police Department for more than 20 years, and is involved in public information, education and crime prevention. She believes that “Residential crime is often a matter of opportunity, and sometimes all it takes is a few simple steps to reduce your risk. Your local police department has a lot of ideas to help, give them a call!”

Jim Tuomisto has owned and operated Hi-Tech Installations in Minnetonka for 30 years. The business installs home security systems, as well as whole house systems and home theater systems.

So go ahead and ask away! Leave your questions in the comments area below, and our Patch Pros will check back regularly to answer them.

Ryan Gauthier (Editor) October 2, 2012 at 03:22 pm
I'll get things started here. What's one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home or place of business more secure?
Brit Hall October 2, 2012 at 03:27 pm
Don't live amongst a bunch of looney tune liberals.
Molly Anderson October 2, 2012 at 04:03 pm
Probably the most cost effective, and simple, way to increase your security is to install high quality dead bolt locks. A good dead bolt extends at least one inch and is made of case hardened steel or has a hardened insert. Reinforce the door jamb with a heavy duty strike plate, which is longer than the usual plate and is attached with longer, and more, screws.
If you have an unusual door or architectural arrangement, call your local police department, most have someone who will go out to your home or office to give on-site advice.
rob_h78 October 2, 2012 at 04:05 pm
Live in Upper Middle Class communities... And if you are still concerned get a dog, bad guys really don't like dealing with dogs and would prefer to break into a house where they won't have to deal with a dog - the noise, the potential of attack, etc...
Eagan Reader October 2, 2012 at 04:09 pm
Take a C&C course and purchase one along with a nice dog (a nice big Lab is my personal preference).
The police here in Eagan do a great job as they maintain a low level of crime. Reference the Eagan.com website and reseach the map of reported instances. An alarm system only notifies an criminal after a crime has already been committed. After all to trigger the alarm the criminal must have broken a window/door etc to gain entrance to private property and is tresspassing/etc...
Ryan Gauthier (Editor) October 2, 2012 at 06:45 pm
Thanks for the response, Molly. I've also heard people recommend installing motion-activated lights outside of their homes. Do you feel they're effective?
Molly Anderson October 2, 2012 at 06:58 pm
The more light, the greater the risk of detection. We do like motion sensor lights because the burglar doesn't know if he set them off or if the resident inside the house heard or saw something and turned them on.
And about a dog- dogs are great if you're a dog lover ! But there have been burglaries where the burglar has brought some food for the dog, so unfortunately, there's no truly fail-safe measure for 100% security. Good prevention relies on many little pieces, including anything which will make your home look and sound occupied.
Chris Steller (Editor) October 2, 2012 at 09:19 pm
Simple questoin I've been pondering lately: Why don't people lock their doors?
Sallie October 2, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Motion detection lights are a huge deterrent. Neighbors notice and are able to see the light up area and alert police. And a security system alerts the police immediately,,,,,,as well as the residents of the home. A burglar would be pretty stupid to continue breaking into the home because he may turn a corner into the barrel of a gun pointed at his burglarizing face. I think residents are so fed up with punks breaking into homes and garages, they may have armed themselves.
Paul Whackernutz October 3, 2012 at 01:01 am
A Labrador? mine would unlock the door and show you where the family silver is for a biscuit.
Susan October 3, 2012 at 01:34 am
rob, a steak tends to unlock this security system.
Matt Behning October 3, 2012 at 03:10 am
A NRA sticker on your doors... nothing deters theft like the threat of loss of life you get caught by the home owner... take any small town for example: considerably less police, more gun owners, and less crime.
James Sanna (Editor) October 3, 2012 at 01:50 pm
@Paul - But sometimes, the dog is like my parents' terrier. He'll go after you incessantly if you *don't* give him a biscuit!
Riley October 6, 2012 at 02:02 am
What are the most frequently broken into parts of a home? Garage, front door, porch, windows?
Matt Behning October 6, 2012 at 03:33 am
Unlocked doors Riley. Also, most buglaries are committed by people you know or who you've let into your house, garage, car, etc.
Professional theives often are spotted by neighbors who will say they didn't think anything of the stranger because they either looked normal, like a service tech, or even waved hello.
Edith Canon October 10, 2012 at 06:28 am
Burglaries and robberies have become far too rampant these days therefore It is really important that houses have home security systems and even securiy cameras. My home security system and a pet rotweiler makes me secure even if I live alone.
Surveillance-Spy-Cameras.com"\
Matt Behning October 29, 2012 at 07:32 am
Spam much?
Mosquito October 29, 2012 at 11:47 am
Do a google search on the first website in the spam and you'll see he's spamming hundreds of patch sites, so I'm going to go ahead and say "Yes."
David Henke (Editor) October 29, 2012 at 11:54 am
Hey guys~
Thanks for pointing out the spam. I've deleted the comment, and am busy searching through other articles for similar spam posts. If you find any, please let me know by emailing me at david.henke@patch.com.
tory burch flats November 26, 2012 at 08:07 am
Ok at this moment, We going to show you precisely what these standards
http://www.mbtshoesukshoes.com/ http://www.burchshoes.com/ http://www.tory-flats.com http://www.bagsforgirl.com/ http://www.borsegucci-italia.com http://www.gucciuk-bags.com http://www.gucci-outlethandbags.com/ http://www.gucci-forsale.com/ http://www.louboutin-shoescheap.com/ http://www.hermesbagssale-outlet.com/ http://www.christian-louboutinoutlets.com/ http://www.christian-louboutinoutlets.com/

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Edina Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Mike B. June 12, 2013 at 05:47 pm
The new layout of the Patch is fine. A few of the liberal/left-wing posters are not happy thatRead More they can't have a running commentary on each story, and hurl personal insults at conservative posters.
Kevira Voegele (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 07:34 am
Hi @mary kosters. Were you able to fill out the feedback form? We're collecting feedback so we canRead More decide what, if any, changes to make in the future with the layout. The lead photo of the marching band is intended to stay the same every day. That is not a story photo; it is a picture that shows a slice of life in Edina. Can you be a bit more specific about what you don't like about the division of news, home and business? Those divisions are almost identical to how things were divided prior to the redesign, so I want to understand what you find useless.
mike savick June 17, 2013 at 10:10 am
The small blue print on the email notifications make it hard to read Mike B's exaggerations andRead More fairy tales.