I've moved from home to home, REMOVING window bars. Rape is a horror, but relatively rare and survivable.
When I consider what I value... ... I'd rather my family and pets could escape, or be helped out of our home than worry about our possessions. There are too many stories of Fireman unable to save people to install most of the bars that I see on properties. My family enjoys the protection and companionship of dogs. Morris shelter and the SPCA might be a better choice than bars-r-us. Most Alarm Systems have (or could easily add) panic buttons for the truly nervous. Best! Liz On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:53:32 -0400 "SKnight" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: I personally don't believe window bars are necessary if you are doing some of the other important anti-crime practices such as: - Sharrieff The block on which I live has, over the last 35 years, had EVERY house on it burgled with the exception of the house in which I live. The only element that is different in my house from the others is the presence of bars on the first floor windows, front, sides and back. While I can appreciate, with a shudder, the seeming nonchalance of living in a house without them, I can tell you from my perspective as a woman that it is incredibly and stunningly frightening to live with the possibility of a break-in and mugging and rape. Sande Knight From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of S. Sharrieff Ali Sent: Tue 6/12/2007 10:59 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: RE: Warning : Damage to porch to Steal a bike and recent entry in the day The real problem here is storing a bike on a porch. The answer is. "JUST DON'T DO IT". Storing bikes on porches is just asking for trouble. If a thief sees a bike on a porch not only will they attempt to steal the bike (and damage what ever it is chained to) but also take a look in your windows to see what else is available. I personally don't believe window bars are necessary if you are doing some of the other important anti-crime practices such as: Trimming scrubs which block the pedestrian-way or porch-view. Create well lit exteriors particularly installing porch lights. Invest in a monitored alarm system for your home and display a sign or sticker. Closing curtains when no one is at home or at night before you go to bed. Not placing valuables in windows such as bikes or computers (laptops) etc. Keeping a log of suspicious activity for your block and forwarding to the police. Calling 911 when you see potentially dangerous things happening. We need to be a bit smarter about crime & safety. I have a block safety guide and a safety survey for distribution, just e-mail me off-list. The keys are communicating with neighbors and the police about what is happening on your block. S -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mariellen Smith Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:25 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: Warning : Damage to porch to Steal a bike and recent entry in the day It always struck me as strange that all those really nice houses around Osage and Larchwood don't have bars on the windows. The people with the really nice homes would presumably also have some really nice stuff. And they are the only houses around without bars. If you were going to steal, where would you go? I know that area looks like a nice suburb, but people seem to have forgotten that they are still in the city. The bars are not that pretty, but there is a reason why most homes have them. The rule of Philadelphia is, 'If it's not locked up or nailed down, somebody's going to take it. And even if it is, somebody's still going to try.' This is certainly true with bikes. When you bring a bike into this city, you should probably just reconcile yourself to the fact that you are really just renting it. I'm on bike # 2. Bike # 1 was stolen off my porch on 43rd and Larchwood. It's unfortunate and it's not right, but it's how it is. There are lots of good people and nice homes in this area, but you need to remember where you are. You still need to be vigilant about your self, your home, and your belongings. On a side note, that thief seems really bad at what he does. Hopefully, he will get caught soon and no one will get hurt. -Mariellen Smith At 07:11 PM 6/11/2007, Vivianne T. Nachmias wrote: and I am told by my husband that a house on 400 block of 47th St. was broken into (window, first floor) during the day..... the burglar was seen by some one and scared him away.... a member of the househo0ld was on the 3rd floor and did not hear the peerson so maybe it happened fasst. do be sure windows are locked. Vivianne On Jun 11, 2007, at 2:43 PM, Elizabeth F Campion wrote: I do not have all the details yet, but a bike was stolen from a porch on the 4700 block of Baltimore. The wooden Porch Railing that it was chained to was severely damaged. It seems clear that a serial thief is in our midst and we need to exercise greater precautions until the thief is caught and stopped (if necessary via lengthy detention). I hope you and your property are and remain safe. Meanwhile, this bike was the primary form of transportation for a eco-friendly, female grad student. So if anyone has an obsoleted or extra bicycle that (must be functioning, or within just a few dollars of working) that they can donate (or sell cheaply) that could suit a young woman about 5'7" tall, please let me know off list. Other spare bikes, including kids bikes, helmets and parts, might be welcome donations at the Neighborhood Bike Works. NBW is a good organization that helps people, especially kids, learn to respect and repair equipment, appreciate the environment, gain better understanding of cost versus value, and learn and follow rules in a cooperative environment. I just checked out their site and saw a notice about summer camps. http://www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/ ATTENTION: Neighborhood Bike Works is offering 4 Earn-a-Bike Summer Camps. Spaces are limited! Click here to download the application. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. Best! Liz Elizabeth Campion Cell Phone: 215-880-2930 215-546-0550 Main, -546-9871 fax, Desk + VM: 215-790-5653 PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH REALTORS, LLC Please read Consumer Notice & enjoy "HOME PILOT" tools at www.PruFoxRoach.com
