This isn't finance-related, but maybe you guys might find it interesting nonetheless.
I was out today, roughly between 1200 to 1500 (3pm), and when I got back, I noticed that my front door's deadbolt was unlocked. It's highly unusual because I basically never forget to lock the front door. Upon inspection, I also saw this black tape obstructing the front door's latch hole.
While it is theoretically possible that I could have forgotten to lock the deadbolt, I 100% definitely did NOT block my door lock with black tape. I have never done that to any of my doors before. Ever.
There are only two times I have seen this trick of blocking the door lock mechanisms. The first is when electricians want to get in and out of a typically locked room (to electricals at a commercial building) that they are currently working on. The other is when a burglar or home invader wants to break into a house later, without any fuss or make any sounds doing so.
Assuming the latter, I immediately went and replaced my front door locks while there was still daylight. Now, this isn't going to actually stop a burglar who can pick locks (which honestly isn't that hard to begin with). I can only assume that's how the deadbolt was unlocked in the first place, as there were no signs of distress on the door frame. Still though, replacing the deadbolt was long overdue anyway, and I got to pick the color that I wanted instead of this ugly two tone from two different brands that the previous owner installed.
Unfortunately, I have been burglarized before. Perhaps that's just how it goes when you are living alone, and with no dogs for protection. The first time, I was still working full time to overtime, so I was hardly at home to begin with, and a mostly empty house is just asking for it.
Even though I am now at home most of the time, I don't suppose I make it all that obvious that the house is occupied? For one person, there is just no reason to have the lights on for most of the house, you know? Like why waste electricity like that? From the outside, it probably still looks largely unoccupied? Even though there is usually some light and music coming from my room these days.
Anyway, burglaries around here typically happen in the middle of the night, say around 0300 to 0400. I'm already geared up and ready to go, JUST IN CASE something goes sideways. Don't worry though, I'm not looking to get into a fight or anything. The plan is just to call the police and have them handle it.
May 8th, 2026 at 09:38 pm 1778276334
May 9th, 2026 at 03:28 am 1778297339
As for the repeat visit thing, yeah, the whole idea of taping up a door like that is so that the burglar can come back later, perhaps with a proper van or truck, and even some accomplices, to properly clean my place out. It's pretty standard practice here, from what I can tell. But of course, that also means that I'm extra-alert in case they do come back.
My front door has also been harden with additional physical security measures since I first made this blog post.
May 12th, 2026 at 12:21 pm 1778588461