Have you ever been afraid where you live?

Question

we live in a big town now ,we always lived in the country,But to make everyone happy 5 yrs ago we moved to a apartment complex There was a break in this weekend across the hall,hubby says we need a shot gun, I stay a wake all night thinking something might happen, Then during the day I do child care. Please dont say move it seems like it is everywhere

Believe it or not we do live in a good neighbor hood and we do have alarms but they broke though a window

What makes it even more scared I think these person live in our building

Answer 1

I think feeling fearful is a normal response to a crime that hits close to home. We are forced to face the fact that we might be vulnerable. Try using your fear to spur you to learn more about ways to prevent crime. You could find out if your local law enforcement agency has any crime prevention programs and participate in those. Does your apartment complex have a neighborhood watch group? Will the crime prevention unit do a home inspection and give you suggestions to make things safer? My experience has always been that using the fear productively is the best way to cope with it.

I think that believing that living in a small town, or in the country, or in a 'safe' neighborhood can give a false sense of security....that being totally safe from crime is an illusion. This is due to my own experiences.......I was the victim of a crime at around age 6 or 7 while living just outside a small town in rural Ohio during the 1960s. The world has never been totally safe; but we can do things to lessen our chances of being victims.

I agree with the suggestions to consider getting a small dog. If your windows do not have alarms; then consider intalling alarms on the windows. Pay attention to your surroundings; make eye contact with the people in your complex, be familiar with who lives in which apartment, don't hesitate to report people lurking near windows or near doors. Keep a cell phone next to your bed, in easy reach.

I hope that you'll be able to do what you can and then relax enough to sleep. The fear, worry, and lack of sleep can cause harm too...so be gentle with yourself and try doing some things that will help you feel a bit more calm.

Take care!

Answer 2

I have on occasion in the past be afraid of where I've been
living for the last four years. The night after we moved in,
in the wee hours, we heard screams outside, a few doors
down. We were startled beyond belief. It turned out, some
guy broke in through an upper bedroom window and attacked
the woman who lived there. Apparently he got up on the roof
without anyone seeing him. So she fought him off, and ran
downstairs and onto the sidewalk screaming for help. I was
afraid for my life, and worried for sometime about the break-
in. Later I was informed that the man thought a former girlfriend was living there and he had an old score to settle.
He was found and arrested and sent to jail/prison. I worried
that maybe that sort of thing happened all the time, at first,
until I was informed otherwise.
Then since, we've had a couple of different couples next
door, and we suspected they were selling drugs, due to the
all night traffic and loud door slamming. Both couples were
evicted, and now we have quiet again with the new people.
But it's taken about 3 and a half years to finally be able to
relax with my door unlocked during the day. I hear tho, that
the urge is on to keep doors locked, even when you are at
home. As break in's happen during the daytimes, as often
as at night. They are more confidant than they used to be.

Answer 3

I am not afraid where I live now. I use to live in a duplex with my daughter and ex boyfriend. About 2 years ago when him and I went on vacation for about a month and half, our house was broken into while we were gone. It happened a day or two before we got home. I have reason to believe I know who it was that did it. But anyway, from the time that I realize that we had been hit, I did not feel safe living there any more. They took my pistol and all the bullets that went with it. It was some one that knew where every thing was in the house as I had the gun hid as well as the bullets. Never left them in the same spot. They took all of the money that we had at the house, which was way over $5,000 between him and I. They took what suit cases that we didn't take, plus a lot more stuff. I felt very violated knowing that someone had done that to us. I did not feel safe there any more. He was not supportive with me either knowing that I was scared to stay there alone any more. This caused so much trouble between us, then found out that he had been cheating on me from the time that we had met. So while he was with one of his girlfriends for a couple of weeks, I moved out, came home to my parents as they needed me anyway. Now I feel safe living next door to my parents even though I do live alone now.

Answer 4

Jan I am so very sorry to read this. I can only say; ' bless your heart.' Until I moved here a year ago ( where I feel safer than I have in so many years) I lived in, what was once a nice area,
but as happens these days some places, the manager became greedy and started letting undesirables move in. Right before I moved there was a double murder, car break ins and apt break ins. I was so glad to get out of there and my children said that they could finally quit worrying about my safety. You can get door and window alarms for next to nothing at Walmart Jan. Have your husband get them. I had them at the other place and felt safer. Good luck to you.
Edit: Have you thought about getting a dog? Even my little shi-tzus bark and alert me whenever they hear something.

Answer 5

I've lived in the downtown area of a major city for close to 10 years. It wasn't until the past year or so that the violence and crime has started to come to this side of downtown (it's mostly professionals on this side). I will not be forced out of my home or held prisoner in it either. Like always, I take care when I am out (I'll pay $5 to take a cab home down the street late at night), and if I do walk, I have my keys ready in case I need to use them. Inside my apartment, I've installed a couple extra locks (at my own expense) and have insurance so if anything were to get stolen, I'm covered. Don't live in fear. Violence happens all over the place...small towns, in the country and in the city. More happens in the city but it's because there are more people. I eventually want to move into a quieter area because I'm getting older but I'll be doing it on my own terms. Just be aware when you are out and put in a couple extra security locks ect.. in your home

Answer 6

At times, yes. Having a steel door, dead bolt locks, eye-hole, & a baseball bat behind your door helps (just in case). I purchased one of those extra inside door locks (long metal pole) that go from under the inside door handle & are wedged into the floor/carpet. They work in case someone kicks your door in! They have to make a LOT of noise & spend some time attempting to get in & in that time, hopefully you can call the Police or they will just give up & leave!
If you are doing childcare in your home/apt, then you might NOT be able to legally have a gun on the premises. Check with your local authorities or the agency that issues your day-care provider permit (if your area has this law). A shot gun MIGHT get you into more trouble than it's worth...especially in a hallway or crowded space with too many people that could get caught in the line of fire. Shooting the wrong person might cost you more than you are aware of. The best deterrent to a criminal are good lighting, good locks, nosy neighbors, & the illusion that someone is home, when no one actually is! Alarms can be disabled by pros...therefore you should not depend on them.

Answer 7

Our home was broken into and burglarized while we were asleep. The intruders actually came into the bedroom, saw we were sleeping and tried to quietly leave. We woke up, but by the time we got downstairs they were gone, taking several personal items, cash, etc. I went to call 911 and they had even stolen the phone! After having all locks changed and installing window locks, etc., I still couldn't sleep. I had to have a home alarm system installed before I could really relax. This happened 10 years ago, but there is not a night that goes by that I don't make sure that alarm is set and my purse is out of sight of the windows. I am no longer afraid, but I am constantly vigilant.

Time will help the fear fade, but a home alarm system will help you sleep now.

I'm sorry this happened to you; I know how unsettling it can be. It happens in all neighborhoods, cities, and towns. Take care of yourself and do what is necessary to feel safer.

Answer 8

No I haven't. After reading many of the previous posts I really feel lucky. The neighborhood that I live in now is in a very low crime area. There are only about 5 or 6 police officers for the city, and I seldom see one on our street. There have been some minor disturbances, but nothing major. We do have a few home protection devices like the one you mentioned, and we both know how to use them. We have no children in our home. If you and your hubby decide to have guns in your home, please know how and when to use them and keep them safely locked away from children.

Answer 9

Crime happens everywhere no matter where you live.
It's unfortunate that people have to steal, break in or injure others to pay for their drug,alcohol or gambling addictions.

I live in a quiet suburb where there are mostly senior citizens and young families, so it's relatively safe during the day. However I get a lot of idiot hoon drivers racing down and past our street at the wee hours of the morning.

I've lived in the same house for over 20 years and have been robbed twice. That's not too bad and luckily we were out at the time or we could have been injured/attacked.

Answer 10

Apartment living can be scary sometimes, especially in iffy or near iffy parts of town. I lived in apartments for years and had my car broken into many times, but never had anything happen to the dwelling. The scariest place I lived was probably just off Ohio State University campus.

Get an alarm system installed in your apt and you will have peace of mind at night.