As Hurricane Milton approaches west central floridaHighways are clogged with clearance for miles, creating a perfect storm for robbers to monopolize the impending weather event.
“If you think you’re going to go in and loot, you’ve got another thing coming for you,” Governor Ron DeSantis said during a briefing at the state’s emergency operations center.
“If you go into someone’s house after the storm has passed, thinking you’re going to be able to commit a crime, you’re going to get into really serious trouble. And frankly, you don’t know what’s behind that door. is a second amendment state,
Geoff Fahringer, who has worked in law enforcement for 50 years and has taught numerous courses focused on emergency preparedness, explains how homeowners can make their properties less attractive to potential burglars.
Hurricane Milton will intensify and increase in size before hitting Florida
1. Pretend someone is home
Fahringer said that although power outages are expected, homeowners can turn on lights and even play music inside their homes to make it seem like they are inhabited.
“Hopefully, if you have a generator at your house or the power doesn’t go out, the house will look like there’s no one there,” Fahringer told Fox News Digital. “That’s the first thing we should do in any situation when we’re not at home is to pretend we’re home.”
Highway signage announcing the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton and evacuation areas in Port Richey, Florida on October 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
2. Advertise alarm systems and cameras around the house, even if you don’t actually have an alarm or monitoring system
Fahringer said visible cameras and stickers notifying potential criminals of alarm systems are good deterrents, and even if you don’t actually have these systems, a few cheap duplicates might make those criminals think twice.
“As a very smart move a deterrent to crime on your property is to go to Amazon and buy a set of decoy cameras,” he said. “There are cameras on Amazon for less than $30 for a set of four that are solar activated or battery or solar powered. . And they actually have a little red flashing light that flashes to show that the camera is recording, even though it’s a fake camera. For as little as $10, you can purchase a sticker for your window to show that the home has an alarm system.”
Hurricane Milton Evacuation in Florida: What to Pack Before the Hurricane
A boarded-up business is visible behind Hurricane Helene debris piled outside a home, ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival at Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida, with graffiti reading, “Go Home Milton , you’re drunk.” , October 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
3. Make an action plan with neighbors
If you’re evacuating and your neighbors aren’t leaving, consider communicating with them to keep an eye on your property and make themselves known if something seems amiss.
“Meet with your neighbors and discuss. What would we do? What’s your plan? If there are strangers in the neighborhood now, day to day, that’s an important conversation,” Fahringer said.
Debris from homes flooded by Hurricane Helene lies on the shore as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Port Richey, Florida, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
“Criminals hate spectators,” Fahringer added. “Think about coyotes. Coyotes are watching a herd of deer. The last thing they want to do is watch a herd of deer. If you think about it, critters are nothing more than two-legged coyotes “They don’t do that. I don’t want a witness.”
Neighbors don’t have to directly encounter strangers in the neighborhood, Fahringer said. Instead, they should make noise to alert the rest of the neighborhood to their presence.
“Enough to let strangers in the neighborhood know you’re watching them,” he said.
“You start seeing a strange car in the neighborhood down the street, press your alarm button,” he said. “Your neighbors will hear it. Everyone will come out and see what’s happening.”
Fahringer also suggests getting a compressed airhorn to ward off thieves and attract the attention of other neighbors.
“This is alarming and possibly intimidating or will cause the criminal to change his plans,” he said. “This lets the neighbors know that something is going on.”
You should share contact information with your neighbors so that if they see something strange happening in your home, they can inform you.
4. If you have a gun, take training classes and learn how to use it
Florida is a “Stand Your Ground” state – if you’re at home in its wake hurricane milton And if an intruder breaks into your property, you have the right to use a firearm. However, Fahringer said it’s important to be prepared to use it.
“Most people have a misconception about how they would deal with an armed threat. And a lot of it is based on what they’ve seen in movies and on TV,” he said. “Most people hesitate or don’t react and actually fire their weapons. And that’s actually a good thing. That’s the way we should be.”
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He said, “If you decide you are going to become an armed citizen, I would urge you to take training classes.” “You have to learn how your weapon works. You should really learn how all similar types of weapons work, like the one you have. And you should take actual classes on how to handle that weapon safely. .And part of those classes should be learning your state’s laws (regarding the use of deadly physical force or even the threat of deadly physical force).”
