Our house was broken into 2 years ago next week. We were in Florida (via plane) and my grown daughter walked in on the intruder. Thank God he jumped out the upstairs window instead of something far worse. That was a life changer. He didn't get a cent, all the goods were down by the front door but he took our sense of security. I've not been 100% comfortable since, in fact I carried a revolver for the first month after, in my own house! Since this happened, nobody except my direct family and my neighbor the cop knows when we leave. Lights go on and off all night, mail is stopped, alarm is monitored 24/7, cameras send pictures when somebody passes certain points. Paranoid maybe, but think about my kid walking in on this again with a another outcome.
For what it's worth, I don't live in the poor part of town, but those folks have cars and can drive right in. Since the break in, my mail has been stolen several times and my truck was broken into. The perp that stole my mail was caught 15 miles from my house. They know how to drive to get what they want. So, what to do? Put the house on the market, sell the stuff and hit the road for a few years. 3 weeks until escrow closes. Dave, out!
