no more certain than I think I might have been before: uncertainty, con't.

[elpollodiablo]

I'm really, really sorry this happened to you guys. I imagine something like this would make me physically ill, as well.

Leaving the neighborhood might not be necessary, but you might consider at least a change of space. Two of my best friends live in Old East Columbus, which is basically a byword in that city for vacant houses, drug traffic, and street crime. They lived in a tumbledown old house two blocks from some low-rise public housing, and got broken into twice within a year before they decided to move. But they didn't go running for the suburbs--they moved six blocks over to a block with lots of long term residents and a block association, and into a house that has heavy-ass doors and an alarm system. Obviously your situation isn't theirs, but if you guys did want to move but stay in the neighborhood, there are possibly things you could do/look for that would decrease the chances of this happening again.

N.B., that couple also has a 9 year old pit bull who did absolutely nothing to dissuade the burglars. The first time they found him complacent and locked in an upstairs bedroom; the second time they're pretty sure he slept right through it.

[davy]

Sorry for you guys, Jeb. That shit is scary and incredibly frustrating, I know.

[jebreject]

Thanks.

The thing is, we actually live on a really good block. Our next door neighbor has been in the same house for 30+ years. Lots of long-term residents, lots of homeowners. We live in a neighborhood that is often perceived as "borderline" or whatever by a lot of people (after my bike was stolen, someone who overheard the story asked me where I lived and then told me I shouldn't be surprised) but crime isn't actually that high, especially on blocks like ours. And I really love our house. It's my favorite place I've lived (aside from this shit of course) and we have a good relationship with the landlord and our neighbors to the south.

I think that part of the problem and the reason that our house has been hit more than once is because of how the backyard is set up. The back of the house faces east, to the alley and behind that a big park. On the north and south sides are tall wooden fences, which would definitely limit visibility. So no worrying about anyone being home across the alley, no real worrying about the neighbors seeing. Still, yesterday was gorgeous. It was in the mid-to-high forties, and I can't believe that there wouldn't have been people in the park all day long. And there's no way that the burglars didn't make all kinds of noise, first smashing the window and then finding a way to bust up the bars. It's just mind boggling.

Landlord is talking about installing an alarm system, which I guess I sort of have mixed feelings about, but fuck, what else can we do?

[nonotyet]

oh Jeb. 

[elpollodiablo]

Yeah man that might be the best thing. Not a magic bullet, obviously, but especially if you get one with an audible alarm, I can't imagine anyone would spend the time and energy breaking through a barred window with like such as a klaxon going off inside. xpost

[das kranke Tier]

Do you have an aversion/allergy to dogs, Jeb?  Honestly they act as the best deterrent you can get without an alarm...plus, they're your forever-buddy  

That really, really sucks man.  I've only been broken in to once but I'll never forget the feeling...

[auto-da-fey]

oh Jeb. 

[Ignatius]

I'm sorry to hear it, jeb.

[dumbfish]

dkT!

[das kranke Tier]

Hey buddy!   How goes the things?

 

[G.C.R]

Jeb, I got nothing to add but I'm really sorry this happened yet again. I think the alarm system sounds a plan. Many bear hugs to you.

[justinh]

blargh...shitty!

[jess]

Jeb, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this again.  

The alarm might be a good call, especially if your landlord is offering and you want to stay. Seems like it would be important to do something to help feel safe.

[Babar]

My biggest fear now is that they're going to come back to get my guitars and amps.

I'm terrified (irrational though it may be) that they are going to come back to get what they missed (like my guitars, for instance).

A true guitarist through and through. Let no one lay a hand on your darlings, jeb.

[jebreject]

Had a panic attack yesterday afternoon walking home from the store and another one this morning, alright! Just what I always wanted! Luckily mindfulness and paying attention to my breathing means I'm able to slow it down and reorientate myself pretty quickly. Still, I haven't had a panic attack in like five years.

Just about everyone we've told about this (including M's parents) thinks that we should move.

I guess I kind of want to wait to see how we feel when the security system is installed and stuff. I can't really blame people for feeling that way, but I wish they could see it from our perspective. I mean, don't get me wrong--there's part of me that wants to move as well, but in every other way we've got a really good thing going here. It's hard to not feel like we've been cursed or something, but truth is, it mostly comes down to coincidence/rotten luck. Or maybe our house just is an easy target.

I'm still not sure whether I'm really processing any of this or not.

[elpollodiablo]

Jeez, jeb. Hang in there.

Do you guys have renter's insurance? Because you really should--the friends I mentioned upthread got most of their stuff replaced, both times, within two weeks of filing the claim. We carry it, too, though thankfully haven't had recourse to it yet.

[Em]

I'm sorry you're having to go through this, Jeb. 

[jebreject]

Jeez, jeb. Hang in there.

Do you guys have renter's insurance? Because you really should--the friends I mentioned upthread got most of their stuff replaced, both times, within two weeks of filing the claim. We carry it, too, though thankfully haven't had recourse to it yet.

Yeah, but we have a five hundred dollar deductible, which doesn't even cover the TV that was taken.

Thanks everyone, it feels good just to talk about this.

[hannah]

Jeb, just read this. So, so sorry, man. It sucks for a home not to be a home. Take care of yourself and M and kitty and hang in there.

[Antero]

Fucking hell, man.  That's awful.

[jebreject]

1. We decided that we are going to get a dog
2. There are going to be stupid cameras all over
2a. Won't that make us look like drug dealers or something?
3. So sick of this shit

[jm]

2. There are going to be stupid cameras all over
2a. Won't that make us look like drug dealers or something?

ugh!  My last place, half the neighborhood had cameras on their houses, and while there were stories of someone on the block (never specified who) getting their place broken into, I never once felt unsafe in that neighborhood. 

3. So sick of this shit

Man, no doubt.  So sorry to hear all of this.

But this is good!, ?

1. We decided that we are going to get a dog

[ellaguru]

oh Jeb. 

[elpollodiablo]

dog dog dog

[peacocks]

get a real rough lookin mut from the pound that'll love you to death and bite off bad faces!