I've recently had 2 doors kicked in, on the same block, within one week.

This is in a B neighborhood with $150k homes. The tenants in each home are completely unrelated.

I'm at a loss for what preventative measures to do. Should I throw in some 5 inch screws into all exterior door hinges )where the doors have been breached)? If I bring this to the attention of the other homes in the neighborhood, it will likely scare the folks badly.

There's a chance it's caused by the homeless crowd, living in a tent about a quarter mile away. The city doesn't allow them to panhandle any more. It could be junkies from another neighborhood.

This type of activity is out of place for the area. I've never seen this once in my c neighborhoods.

Looking for any ideas.

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear what happened. If it might make you feel better, similar intrusions are increasiingly common in supposedly good neighborhoods in Saratoga and San Jose, CA. People usually smash a screen window as well as kick down a door.

Lowes or perhaps a comparable hardware store in your area might sell some sort of reinforced door security system that basically has long screws. The search terms might be Door Armor Max Combo Set ez armor.

Was the kick in on the lock side or the hinge side?

Upgrade your security measures.

I'd check with your local police precinct and see if this has been going on a lot in your neighborhood, or if it's coincidence. Would you feel the same way if you had one door kicked in five years ago and then one this week? Could just be chance, or one bad apple.

As far as reinforcing the door jamb, I remember seeing a metal plate at HD that screws into the jamb to reinforce it. The problem is that if you reinforce the jamb, the door will break instead. I'd rather replace a damaged door jamb.

Ken, too early to tell on the neighborhood deterioration... They're building new homes a block away.. 150k and up...

All I can think of doing is to get a whole bunch of misc home security signs and decals and putting a bunch of them up to deter activity.

Robin - only a true, stud crafstman could replace a door jamb in a cost effective way. I've used 2 different guys and both said to rip the whole thing out and start with a pre-hung.

I'll probably go back and put some 4 inch screws on all deadbolts and 2 per hinge....

No great answer. Put in longer screws or better strike plate and they will just do more damage.

They will just keep kicking until they get in.

young guy just out of prison maybe on the same block going thru backyards dangerous

#22,

The neighbors already now about the break ins. Repairing jambs does not serve your residents' safety.

"Mary, I'm here to increase the security on your door with heavier hardware."

Lowes sells a long strike plate.

I have often considered installing a second deadbolt down low, with only the interior knob to stop a kick in.

Momma wants security and will move out if nervous.

I'm now offering SimpliSafe systems for $20 per month. They pay monitoring. Video cameras optional (up to 5 on one system).

BRAD

PS My lease is clear: res is responsible to clean and protect the home, for persons invited or uninvited. Res pays for all damage. Mgmt is not responsible to determine who caused the damage.

BRAD

For those who don't know... I'm in #22's town and have seen his houses and this neighborhood. It's NOT a bad hood at all, and my guess is that he's right about it being a transient issue.

The hood these are in would be where you'd find mid-level, young professionals living. Not even close to blue collar. It's creepy thinking about this. My old established "Class C" hoods sound safer at the moment. Maybe they're breaking in b/c they think there's more valuable stuff to find.