It is very uncanny to catch someone sneaking around your house but it can happen to anyone. It may be a nosy neighbor who is sneaking around your house or straight up burglar, whomever or whatever the reason for this sneaking around it is against the law and can be considered as trespassing. Because whenever a person (especially strangers) is moving around on your property without your permission, it is trespassing. With that being said here’s how to catch someone who is sneaking around your house.
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So Why Would Anyone Sneak Around Your House
First of all you have to consider that no one who is sneaking on your property is doing it with good intentions, they are sneaking which means they do not want to be seen by you or anyone in your house as they are sneaking. The person may be snooping around your property to get a scope of the general movement and overview of your property so as to commit burglary in the long run. Or it could be someone as benign as a prankster trying to get some laughs out of you for the wrong reasons. You may hear sounds of footsteps, a door or window opening, or you may see the movement of the sneaker yourself. Whatever the case, it is best not to engage with the person sneaking if you perceive them to be a threat to your well-being, but if you are confident you can handle the situation (provided it is somebody you know) then you can rightly proceed to calling out at the person.
Catching Someone Sneaking Around Your House
When someone is sneaking around your house, it may have been pre-planned. Which means that your house might have been scouted on by the sneaker before they decided to engage. Some sneakers or perps (short for perpetrator) will actually manage to get away before you can do anything about the issue. However there are some very effective methods you use to ensure you catch a sneaker who would be trespassing on your property. The crime might happen when you’re away and you only notice it via left-behind footprints, a misplaced or broken item or in extreme cases a door or window of your house that is left open by the perp.
Setup Traps
There are a variety of traps you can setup in order to catch somebody who might be sneaking on your property. For example a dye tray sprays a semi-permanent dye onto the sneaker via a motion sensitive trigger or remote trigger. Not only will the dye stay permanently on the perp, it will also help you identify them if they happen to be a neighbor or someone you know. Just be sure to place the dye trap at a height where it’ll be able to spray a vital body part (like the face and arms, generally any area of the body that cannot be covered by clothing.) Another kind of trap is a pit trap, but this one requires more work as you would have to dig a hole deep enough to fit a person and then conceal it and hope the sneaker falls into it, so it is not completely full proof.
Ask neighbors to keep an eye out
Asking your neighbors to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around your house is a simple but effective way to increase your home security. By letting your neighbors know about your concerns, they can be on the lookout for anything unusual and alert you or the authorities if they notice anything out of the ordinary. It’s especially helpful if your neighbors are home during the day or have a view of your property. Building good relationships with your neighbors can also lead to a safer and more secure community, as everyone is looking out for each other’s safety. Make sure to thank your neighbors for their help and return the favor by keeping an eye out for their property as well.
Setup Cameras Around Your House
Whatever the case may be, the best way to catch a sneaker is to setup cameras all around your house. A camera setup is very easy to setup and affordable too. You will be sure to catch the perpetrated on the camera or recorded footage whilst they’re trespassing. Most sneakers will do the act on a whim, hoping to get something or see something in your house. It’s important to note however that not all places in your house can have a camera setup, this is especially true for places in your house you would like privacy (they include; the bathroom, bedrooms, study room, etcetera.) These are areas with blindspots, where the perp may come in undetected and sneak about in your house. Therefore be sure to secure your windows and doors when there’s no activity happening in your house (whether you’re around or not.)
Use a peephole or window film for privacy
While it’s important to be aware of potential intruders, it’s equally important to prioritize your own privacy and security. By using a peephole or window film on your doors and windows, you can restrict visibility into your home and deter potential intruders from scoping out your property. Peepholes allow you to see who is outside your door without having to open it, while window film provides privacy while still allowing natural light to enter your home. By limiting the visibility of your home’s interior, you can prevent potential intruders from easily casing your property and planning a break-in. Prioritizing your own privacy and security can ultimately make it more difficult for someone to successfully sneak around your house undetected.
Setup Movement Sensitive Alarms
In cases where your camera setup blindspots, you can setup movement sensitive alarms that you would have to hide in plain sight so that they’re not easily recognized (they should match the background of the place they’re on.) Movement sensitive alarms are great because they’ll alert you or make a loud noise as soon as someone enters the movement sensor’s proximity (and they’re not supposed to be there.) If it just so happens that you’re not around when the sneaking is taking place, the sneaker will be sure to get a big scare from the sound of the alarm and then leave your house immediately. Or if your neighbors are around, they may take it upon themselves to take pictures or record video with their phones.
- Because the best way to catch a perp without putting them or yourself in danger is via photographic or video graphic evidence and then reporting the matter to the police immediately.
Consider getting a guard dog
If you’re concerned about someone sneaking around your property, you may want to consider getting a guard dog. A well-trained dog can be an effective deterrent to potential intruders and can provide an added layer of security to your home. Guard dogs are trained to alert you to any potential threats and can also be trained to apprehend an intruder, although it’s important to remember that this should be left to the authorities. When choosing a guard dog, consider breeds that are known for their protective instincts, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, or Doberman Pinschers. Keep in mind that owning a guard dog is a big responsibility and requires proper training and socialization to ensure that the dog is safe around other people and animals.
Use motion-activated lights
Using motion-activated lights is an effective way to catch someone sneaking around your house. When motion is detected, these lights automatically turn on and illuminate the area, drawing attention to any potential intruders. This sudden burst of light can startle the person and increase the likelihood of them being seen by you, your neighbors, or security cameras. Motion-activated lights can be installed both indoors and outdoors, and can be adjusted to cover specific areas of your property. They can also be set to remain on for a predetermined amount of time, ensuring that any suspicious activity is properly illuminated and captured. By installing motion-activated lights, you can improve the security of your property and increase the chances of catching someone attempting to sneak around your house.
What to do if you catch someone sneaking around your house
Ensure your safety and the safety of others
If you catch someone sneaking around your house, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety and the safety of others. Stay calm and try to assess the situation from a safe distance. Avoid confronting the individual directly, as this could escalate the situation and put you in danger. If you are inside your home, make sure all doors and windows are locked and secure. If there are other people in the house with you, gather them in a safe and secure location. It’s important to take any necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and others until the police arrive.
Do not confront the individual directly
If you catch someone sneaking around your house, it’s important not to confront the individual directly. Confronting them could put you in danger and may escalate the situation. Instead, stay calm and assess the situation from a safe distance. If you are inside your home, move to a secure location and avoid drawing attention to yourself. If you are outside, move to a safe location and away from the individual. Do not attempt to apprehend the person, as this is the job of the authorities. It’s important to prioritize your safety and the safety of others, so do not take any unnecessary risks by confronting the individual directly.
Call the police immediately
If you catch someone sneaking around your house, it’s important to call the police immediately. This is the best way to ensure that the situation is dealt with in a safe and efficient manner. When you call the police, provide them with a description of the person and any relevant details about the incident, such as what they were doing and where they were last seen. If you have security cameras, let the police know and provide them with the footage. Stay on the line with the dispatcher and answer any questions they may have. It’s important to remain calm and provide as much information as possible, as this will help the police to locate the individual and deal with the situation appropriately. Remember, the police are trained to handle these types of situations, so let them do their job and prioritize your safety in the meantime.
If In Danger, Use Self Defense Utilities Like A Taser
A self defense utility can be a stun gun or a taser, a baton or rope, etcetera. You just want to be sure you can incapacitate the sneaker just in time for you to be able to call the police. But be warned, this method puts you on the frontline, and you have to be discreet such that the perp doesn’t notice you if you want to use close up self defense utilities like a baton or rope. But with a stun gun or taser, you can use it from a distance and aim it at the sneaker to then incapacitate them and then catch them. A taser is not dangerous and is often used by law enforcement to catch perps who might be running away from them. And because the sneaker will be trespassing on your property, it is perfectly legal to use in order to catch the perp.
Conclusion
It is creepy for someone to sneak around your house to say the least. The fact that someone can breach your house’s boundaries and simply walk around your property, sneaking without any sort of resolve. When faced with such an enigma, you need to call the police, but as mentioned above it may be someone you know who may just want to surprise or scare you. So you always have to keep a calm demeanor, sometimes if you make a sound yourself or make a movement to alert the sneaker that you’ve noticed or heard them, they may run away. If you want to catch the sneaker, do none of these things and sit calmly. But do not ever try to engage someone sneaking around your house if it is dark outside and you do not know the person.