Don’t be a home burglary target

Hamilton County,TN(WDEF)-On Tuesday, a midday burglary turned dangerous when the homeowner came home to two men in his home… That raised the question of what can you do to protect yourself from becoming a target. 

Hamilton County sheriffs took Sylvester Clifton Kirkwood Jr. into custody after he and an accomplice allegedly charged their way out of a home after a homeowner arrived during a burglary.

Sheriff Jim Hammond said, "We find that most home burglaries occur sometime between 10 to 11 in the morning to about 4 in the afternoon."

With your home being targeted while you are at work, what are some of the things you can do to make sure you aren’t laying out the welcome mat for burglars ….

Be careful of your shrubbery.  Don’t leave boxes for newly purchased items on the curb.  Make sure your doors are locked and most important, be a good neighbor. If you see something odd, call the police..

"It’s better to make the call than to later say I wish I had called.  Let the police do their jobs.  Just be a good witness."

Sheriff Hammond also added that having a dog and a sense of humor couldn’t hurt…

"Humorously, the guy had the safest house in the neighborhood, because he had a big sign that said these premises guarded by a pit-bull with AIDS. That’s gonna cause people to think twice."

No matter how many precautions are taken, if someone does break into your home, one of the worst things anyone could do would be to confront the person.

"Back out. Go to a neighbor. Go to a neighbor. Go to a phone. Call the police."

Sheriff Hammond also added that using deadly force is never a good idea in these situations.

"You can never justify the taking of a life for property.  The old idea of well, I’m gonna shoot them. Don’t do that.  You may find yourself in a lot more trouble than they would."