So I've come to realize that my original plan of staying in my less than desirable location for only six months has turned into one year, and will likely last at least another. I live in a small, relatively safe city, sandwiched between two large, relatively unsafe cities. My rented apartment is a second floor "railroad" situated above a restaurant on the main drag in town. There is only one way in and one way out.
Some measures I have taken are:
- A good lock on both the apartment door and entry way door
- Charged cell phone on the nightstand
- 870 next to the bed
- Pistol on the nightstand while sleeping, on my hip or within reach when awake
- A rough plan that's been discussed with my wife that involves securing the bedroom door, calling 911, and pointing a boom stick at the door.
- A floor plan and keys tied to a glow stick.
Some unaddressed security issues that I see are:
1. A hallway light that is only controlled from the hallway making the peephole useless in the late afternoon/evening. Possible solution would be to install a battery powered motion light such as this. I am afraid however it could easily be ripped down.
2. Since I'm on a main road, car noise coupled with window A/C units make sound detection a problem. It is conceivable that a kick down the door situation would fail to wake me (I sleep like the dead). A lock jimmy, or other stealthy entry would definitely go unnoticed. I haven't quite come to a definite solution for this. I was thinking some sort of magnetic door alarm, but I'm not sure about how non-permanent something like that would be. Thoughts?
Given the fact that pets are out of the question, any other ideas would be of great help.
Some measures I have taken are:
- A good lock on both the apartment door and entry way door
- Charged cell phone on the nightstand
- 870 next to the bed
- Pistol on the nightstand while sleeping, on my hip or within reach when awake
- A rough plan that's been discussed with my wife that involves securing the bedroom door, calling 911, and pointing a boom stick at the door.
- A floor plan and keys tied to a glow stick.
Some unaddressed security issues that I see are:
1. A hallway light that is only controlled from the hallway making the peephole useless in the late afternoon/evening. Possible solution would be to install a battery powered motion light such as this. I am afraid however it could easily be ripped down.
2. Since I'm on a main road, car noise coupled with window A/C units make sound detection a problem. It is conceivable that a kick down the door situation would fail to wake me (I sleep like the dead). A lock jimmy, or other stealthy entry would definitely go unnoticed. I haven't quite come to a definite solution for this. I was thinking some sort of magnetic door alarm, but I'm not sure about how non-permanent something like that would be. Thoughts?
Given the fact that pets are out of the question, any other ideas would be of great help.
Last edited: