How to Catch Porch Pirates and Prevent Holiday Package Theft
Shocking Package Theft Facts You Should Know
Before we go into the steps of how to prevent package theft, below are some of the shocking package theft facts and stats you should know.
- Roughly 26 million Americans had packages stolen from their front porch or doorstep during the holidays in 2017, according to a survey.
- Surprisingly the majority of package theft occurred during the day when no one is home.
- Oakland, Baltimore, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Portland, Washington, and Sacramento are the top ten cities in US with the most Amazon package thefts.
- Package theft victims spent an average of $200 to replace each stolen package.
Ways to Catch a Package Thief
- Security Cameras are a must have when trying to capture evidence of theft. Consider installing a Bee-Safe Smart Camera at your front door to watch over deliveries and unwanted visitors. Our 4K high definition cameras are great for catching porch pirates. Take it a step further and install a license plate camera positioned specifically for recording plate numbers.
- Door Bell Cameras are affordable devices that can capture video of package thieves. The devices are available for purchase through Bee-Safe and can be installed within a couple hours.
- Neighborhood Watch programs are a great way to keep in touch with your neighbors about recent thefts. Sharing information with others can help keep everyone informed and alert.
How to Prevent Package Theft
- Have your package delivered to your work.
- Have your package delivered to the home of a relative or friend that you know will be home.
- Have your package held at your local post office for pickup.
- Take advantage of “Ship to Store” option that many stores offer. Amazon offers a “locker” feature that allows you to pick up your package from a secure location.
- Request that your package has signature confirmation upon delivery.
- Ask your carrier to place package in an area out of plain view.
7 Thanksgiving Home Security Tips Every Homeowner Should Read
1. Don’t Advertise on Social Media
Refrain from posting your travel plans on social media sites. Even with privacy settings turned on, you still never know who could see your holidays plans.
2. Install an Alarm System
Consider installing Bee-Safe security system, that allows you to check on your home while away and even arm and disarm your system from any laptop or cell phone.
3. Use Security Signs Around Your Home
An affordable option regardless if you have an alarm system or not is to display security signage around your home. This includes window and door stickers along with yard signs.
4. Use Automatic Light Timers
Inside and outside lights should be set on automatic timers to turn lights on and off at various times throughout the night. A double pack of automatic light timers can be purchased on Amazon for less than $15 here.
5. LOCK All Doors & Windows
Before you leave your home be sure to check that all windows and doors are locked. This includes second story and basement windows.
6. Never Leave a Key Under a Rock or Doormat
The first place a criminal will look for a spare key is under a door mat or objects near the door. Any spare keys for your home should be properly secured in a wall mounted lock box that is out of sight.
7. Install a Smart Camera
Consider installing Smart Security Cameras by Bee-Safe and receive email & SMS alerts when motion is detected.
1.7 Million Guns Sold In October: What Americans Are Scared Of?
The annual gun sales in the US shattered all records in 2020. This year’s statistics on background checks for the sale of a firearm has already surpassed the previous annual record set in 2016.
According to the US National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the sale of firearms till October 2020, has already surpassed the previous annual record set in 2016.
According to experts, this year’s spike in gun sales came when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US in March, making it the worst-infected nation in the world. A picture also emerged when people went to buy food items before the lockdown and then to buy weapons and returned home.
The NSSF said over 17.2 million background checks were conducted for gun owners who purchased guns this year, compared it to 15.7 million checks for firearm sales in 2016, the year which saw the record sale.
Demand for guns has increased every month across the US since March. The group determined that every month in 2020 since March has “been the strongest of that month ever recorded”. In October alone, background checks were conducted for more than 1.7 million firearms buyers, an increase of over 60% compared to the same period in 2019.
The most surprising thing is that 17.2 million guns have been sold in 2020, out of these 5 million guns were purchased by first-time buyers. The first reason behind this is the ongoing ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests against police brutality in many states of America, which have witnessed many incidents of violence and vandalism, and the other is the Coronavirus pandemic.
Gun sales are expected to increase even more during the holiday season. November and December have always been considered the busiest months of the year for the sale of guns.
Though gun control is a sensitive issue in the US because, for most American people, owning a firearm is tied to their personal freedom. According to a study, on average, there are 120 guns for every 100 US residents. Recently, after the firing in many public places, demand has also grown that owning a firearm be made more strict in the US. However, the huge sales of weapons this year do not make it easy to do so.
(5) Fall Home Security Tips
STAY SAFE WITH THESE 5 FALL HOME SECURITY TIPS
As the days become shorter and we start looking forward to upcoming fall and winter holidays, it’s important to turn your thoughts to home and personal security. Autumn kicks off the busiest time of the year for many homeowners and families, and it’s easy to let safety and security fall to the wayside. To help you maintain your home’s security, we’ve put together this list of fall home security tips. Keep reading to check them out!
LIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME
Since the days are getting shorter, it’s starting to get dark earlier. Burglars tend to strike under the cover of darkness, so they take advantage of shorter days. Adding extra lighting around your home can increase your home security. Ensure that you have ample lighting indoors and out, and use programmable lights when you are away. If you already use programmable lights, make sure they are scheduled to turn on earlier than in the summer months.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS LOCKED
Most home invasions occur via unlocked doors and windows. If you’ve been enjoying the fresh fall breeze, always remember to close the door or window and lock it prior to leaving or going to bed for the night. Stress this important home security tip to your kids as well.
KEEP TOOLS PUT AWAY
Whether you’re raking the lawn or cleaning leaves from your gutters, remember to put your tools away when you’re finished. In addition to preventing them from being stolen, properly storing your tools means they can’t be used by criminals. A ladder left outside provides easy access your home’s upper levels. Rakes and hammers make excellent tools for breaking windows. Secure your tools to avoid disaster.
BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is an amazing tool for staying in touch, but your posts could provide too much information to the wrong people. If you plan on traveling this fall, don’t post your plans or any photos until you’re back home. Set your accounts to private to limit who sees your posts.
Avoid sharing posts that disclose your child’s name and what school they attend. Kidnappers can use this information to abduct children. Stick to sharing personal details privately and only with trusted friends and family members.
AVOID DOOR TO DOORS SALESPEOPLE
You probably tell your kids not to open the door for strangers, but you likely open it as soon as someone knocks. While you may feel that answering the door is polite, doing so is providing a complete stranger with the ability to enter your home. Don’t open the door for door to door salespeople or anyone else you don’t know.
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Unprecedented Review of Ohio’s Conceal-Carry Licensing System Shines Light on Vulnerabilities – AG Yost Partners With Public Safety to Provide a Solution
8/4/2020
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a special report today identifying some vulnerabilities in the state’s concealed-carry licensing system and outlining steps taken to plug those gaps.
The report stems from a proactive effort by the attorney general to ensure that Ohio continues its 16-year record of carrying safely and responsibly.
“By any measure, our concealed-carry system is a success,” Yost said. “To safeguard the public, this law prohibits licenses to felons and people who have been deemed by a court to be mentally incompetent. All of us have an interest in enforcing these prohibitions.”
Given his office’s role in the checks and balances of the state’s system for issuing concealed-handgun licenses (CHLs), the attorney general last year ordered a review of the process, seeking to ensure that such licenses weren’t ending up in the wrong hands.
The databases needed to conduct this analysis are maintained by different state agencies, a complicating factor in the review process.
Under Ohio law, determinations of mental incompetence (MI) must be reported to the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) by courts and/or mental health providers. The list of active holders of Ohio CHLs, meanwhile, is housed with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), which maintains the information in its Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS). LEADS is used strictly for law enforcement purposes, meaning that the Identification Division of BCI did not have access to the CHL data.
This hurdle was cleared when BCI, through a memorandum of understanding, obtained the list of CHL holders from ODPS, data that the bureau then compared against its MI database – a comparison that had never been done.
“Everyone in Ohio should expect that we are enforcing existing laws – and, as this report demonstrates, we are,” Yost said. “This first-of-its-kind law enforcement project would not have been possible without the partnership between the Attorney General’s Office and ODPS, under the leadership of Director Stickrath and Gov. DeWine.”
What BCI found in its review is that, of the Ohioans who have a CHL, 41 of them had been deemed to be mentally incompetent – which means they should not have had a concealed-handgun license or possessed a firearm.
“Those 41 individuals represent only a tiny fraction of a percentage of the Ohioans who have concealed-carry licenses, and we are not aware that any harmful outcomes have resulted,” AG Yost said. “But even one unlawful license is too many.”
To fix the problem, BCI and ODPS partnered to automate the cross-checking – at no cost to taxpayers – to permanently allow CHL updates to flow to BCI, thus allowing the bureau to make routine cross-checks of the concealed-handgun licenses against the mental incompetence database. When a mentally incompetent adjudication is uncovered in the cross-checking process, BCI is committed to promptly notifying the appropriate sheriff’s office by phone and in writing so that action can be taken on the CHL in question.
“Revoking wrongfully issued licenses is an example of how we can and should enforce existing gun laws before creating new ones,” Yost said.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Irwin: 614-728-5417
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3 tips to avoid online stalking
Use of this unethical tracking software has surged during lockdown, but here’s how you can protect yourself
Compared to January and February this year, before lockdown measures took effect, March through June saw a surge in the use of stalkerware, an insidious kind of software that allows users to track both the physical and digital moves of others, sometimes accessing photos, videos, and emails, sometimes even tapping into their WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.
It’s a sad truth that domestic violence incidents have increased since stay-at-home orders were issued, but that abusive behavior seems to have carried over into the digital world as well. Avast Threat Labs observed a 51% increase in spyware and stalkerware from March through June, in comparison to the first two months of the year.
“Stalkerware is a growing category of domestic malware with disturbing and dangerous implications,” said Jaya Baloo, Avast CISO. “It steals the physical and online freedom of the victim. Usually installed secretly on mobile phones by so-called friends, jealous spouses, ex-partners, and even concerned parents, stalkerware tracks the physical location of the victim, monitors sites visited on the internet, text messages, and phone calls.”
The increase in connected devices and the availability of stealthy spy- and stalkerware apps are another way for abusers to exert control over their victims who have been unable to leave their home due to coronavirus preventative measures, according to Erica Olsen, Safety Net project director for the National Network to end Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a social change organization dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.
“Stalkerware, which is designed to operate in stealth mode with no persistent notification to the user of the device, gives abusers and stalkers a robust and invasive tool to perpetrate harassment, monitoring, stalking, and abuse,” said Olsen. “This can be terrifying and traumatizing for the person. During this public health crisis, there have been several reports documenting the increased detection of stalkerware, which could be indicative of increased access to personal devices during lockdown or stay-at-home orders. It could also be reflective of an abuser increasing or changing their tactic if the victim is now actually out of the house more often, if they are an essential worker in healthcare, for example.”
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Since March 2020, Avast has protected over 40,000 users from such malware across the globe. In order to mitigate against the threat of stalkerware, we’re providing the following simple, actionable steps:
Rule #1: Secure your phone against all unauthorized physical access
Use the lock screen on your device. It takes less than a minute to install a stalkerware app, and, according to Pew Research, more than 25% of mobile users fail to use lock-screen protection on their smartphones. That kind of easy access helps suspicious partners to install stalkerware without being noticed. Do not lend your unlocked phone to anyone unless you fully trust their intentions.
Rule #2: Install a trusted antivirus on your mobile phone
A good mobile antivirus will treat stalkerware as a PUP – potentially unwanted program – and give you the option to remove it. Avast Mobile Security keeps your mobile device secure from stalkerware in addition to other malware and potentially malicious apps. Avast worked with Google to remove eight of the biggest stalking apps from the Play Store last year, and we are continuing this work as new developments in stalkerware arise.
Rule #3: Look for hotlines and victims’ services providers.
However, if you don’t feel safe, trust your instincts. If you need to source help and support fast – you should not hesitate to seek it. Organizations such as Operation Safe Escape can help.
Operation Safe Escape is a victim support organisation that provides valuable support and education for victims of domestic violence and abuse, and can help with issues of personal, physical and digital safety. If it’s possible your device has been compromised by stalkerware, avoid using it to contact support. If you are able, use an anonymous device such as a library computer or a friend’s phone in order to avoid alerting the stalker.
“Across the globe, it’s been reported that the number of domestic violence cases have consistently increased during lockdown,” added Baloo, “and that tallies with what we’re seeing. We’re committed to doing all that we can to protect our users from this rising threat.”
Source: https://blog.avast.com/stalkerware-use-surges-during-lockdown-avast?utm_content=404539&utm_term=164712316_278_205&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=c_oo_paal_a_a_20q3_jj_news07avast2
FIRST TIME GUN BUYER? START HERE.
FIRST TIME GUN BUYER? START HERE.
This is the time of year when people think about giving gifts to the ones they love, which means that some people think about buying their first gun. With that in mind, here are a few tips for all the first-time gun buyers out there.
BUYING A GUN TAKES MORE TIME THAN YOU THINK
There are some politicians out there who will tell you that it’s easier to buy a pistol than it is to buy a book. Not to mince words, but those politicians are 100% wrong. I buy a lot of books, and to date, I haven’t needed to pass a background check in order to buy the latest technothriller.
Everyone who purchases a gun from a legitimate firearms dealer needs to be able to pass a background check before they can take their gun home. Every transaction, every time. In some states, no background check is needed at the time of sale because the purchaser has a valid concealed carry permit. In those states, the vetting and background checks needed to obtain the concealed carry permit are considered a valid alternative to the check run at the time of sale.
Another thing that happens every time you buy a gun is that you’ll need to fill in your personal information on a Form 4473. This is a form that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives uses for two purposes. The first is to make sure you’re eligible to own a firearm. The second is to provide a record of the sale. A government-issued ID is required for buying a firearm; that information is copied down on the 4473. I have seen more than one first-time gun buyer make the mistake of not bringing their driver’s license with them when they buy a gun, resulting in a delayed sale.
YOU BUY GUNS FOR YOU, NOT SOMEONE ELSE
There are two Ruger 10/22 rifles in my gun safe that I have gifted to my sons. Legally, however, those guns are still mine, as my sons aren’t 18 yet and cannot own a gun here in Florida. If you’re thinking about buying a gun for a loved one this holiday season, be aware that the person who will legally own the gun needs to be the one who fills out the Form 4473 and prove that they are able to do so in the eyes of the law. Buying a gun for someone who is not legally able to own a gun is big, BIG no-no (as in felony-sized no-no), so don’t do it. Ever.
In addition, there’s a very good chance that the gun you’re thinking about buying for someone else isn’t quite what they wanted. The best way to handle this is to have them fill out the paperwork themselves and buy their own gun. It’ll be better for you in the short term (they get the gun they really want, not the gun you want them to have), and also in the long term (you can be certain neither of you are going to jail for an illegal gun purchase).
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SMALLER IS NOT NOT ALWAYS BETTER
In 9mm caliber and above, FMJ ammo (left) is best for practice, JHP ammo (right) works best for self-defense.
Deciding to take responsibility for your own protection and look for a concealed-carry pistol is one of the most adult decisions you will ever make. It means you understand that you are ultimately responsible for your safety. However, most small pocket pistols are not for first-time gun owners. They’re hard to control and hold, and they pack a powerful punch in a small package. In addition, they are not easy to shoot on a regular basis, which means you’re not going to practice with them as much as you would with a larger gun in the same caliber. All the firepower in the world does you little good if you can’t hit the target.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, AND YOU’RE NOT PERFECT YET
The uncomfortable truth all gun owners need to face is that we are not as good a shot as we think we are, especially under stress. You may go the range each week and punch a nice, ragged hole in the target with careful, aimed shots. This sort of practice definitely helps with problems such as a trigger jerk, but it does little to help with the adrenaline dump you’ll feel in a defensive gun use. Mixing in real or artificial stress into your firearms practice, such as a shot timer or participating in a practical shooting match, will have a profound effect on improving your accuracy when it matters most.
YOU BUY GUNS FOR YOU, NOT SOMEBODY ELSE (PART TWO)
I recommend that first-time gun buyers go to an indoor range that has guns available to rent and try out a wide selection of guns before they make a buying decision. A range will also typically have a professional instructor who can help someone find a gun that suits them best. A snub-nosed .38 with pink grips might be the best gun for your wife, but let your wife come to that decision, not you.
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GUNS ARE NOT TALISMANS OF SELF-PROTECTION
Access to a firearm does not make someone safe anymore than access to a piano makes them a musician. What actually makes someone safe is having access to a firearm and also having the will and skill to use it effectively. If you’re going to buy a gun, make sure you also have the commitment to learn how to use it well. Having the good feeling that you own a firearm for self-protection is good. Having that good feeling, and the sure and certain knowledge that you can use it effectively is even better.
SAFETY FIRST, SECOND, AND LAST
A small gun safe help keeps your gun away from prying fingers.
Keep your gun so its safe and accessible at all times. Here’s a hint: Underneath your bed, unloaded, in its original box is neither safe nor easily accessible. Here in Florida, it’s against the law to store guns so that a child can have easy access to them. For this reason, I have quick access gun safes both in my car and in my home which prevents my sons from gaining access to my guns. In addition, if you carry concealed, get a good quality holster which covers the trigger of your pistol and doesn’t present other safety hazards as well.
STOP BELIEVING THE MYTHS
Believe me, there are plenty of myths out there about guns. For instance, no, snake shot in a .38 is not the last word in defensive firepower. Racking a pump-action shotgun will not make a determined attacker run away in fear. “Handgun stopping power” is an oxymoron, so if you’re hoping for a one-stop shot with your defensive pistol, you’re almost certain to be disappointed. As a result, practice with your pistol so you can make rapid, accurate hits on-demand and in stressful situations.
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WELCOME TO THE RANKS OF AMERICAN GUN OWNERS!
Congratulations on becoming a first-time gun buyer. The Second Amendment is there for a reason, and choosing to (safely) own a firearm can be a life-changing decision and also a life-affirming decision. I have many, many gun-owning friends who have found new confidence in life because of the confidence they have gained knowing their self-protection needs are covered because they took the time to learn how to use their new gun. You can have that confidence as well. All you need to do is go to the range and be prepared to learn to shoot, which, coincidentally, is a lot of fun. It is also a cornerstone of what makes America, America.
Source: https://www.ammoman.com/blog/tips-for-first-time-gun-buyers/
How Do Trigger Locks Work?
Knowing how to securely store your firearm is a key responsibility as a gun owner. Bee Safe Security is dedicated to providing our readers with accurate information on firearm safety.
It’s important to make sure the gun is kept away from small children and other unapproved individuals who could pose a risk to those around themselves. In addition, secure storage prevents theft from a possible home invader.
One way to safely secure your firearm is with a trigger lock. But what is a trigger lock? And how does one work?
Keep reading to find out…
The Purpose of Trigger Locks
Like the name suggests, a trigger lock is a mechanism that fits over a gun’s trigger guard to prevent the firearm from being fired. It’s usually a two-piece lock where a sturdy cylinder fits behind the trigger to prevent the gun from being fired.
And since the trigger lock comes in direct contact with the trigger, it’s not designed to be used on loaded guns. In fact, you should unload your firearm before locking it.
There are a lot of different types of trigger locks, ranging from a simple key and lock to a push-button keypad. Some of the most sought-after are made by MasterLock.
For example, a common one you might see is the MasterLock Combination Lock. With a three-digit combination, it’s easy to lock, and it also has a firm zinc and steel body. What’s even better is that the lock’s width can be adjusted. So whether you want to use the lock for a rifle or a handgun, you’re covered.
Advantages of Trigger Locks
Trigger locks in general are pretty popular since they’re inexpensive. In fact, organizations like Project ChildSafe sometimes offer free trigger locks in order to promote gun safety.
Plus, they’re easy to use. You don’t have to worry about attaching a new, complicated piece of technology to your firearm since they can be quickly taken off or put on a gun. Not only that but they also do not add a lot of weight to your gun. Simple, yet helpful.
Disadvantages of Trigger Locks
However, there can be a few drawbacks to using a trigger lock. As mentioned earlier, it should never be used on loaded guns. If you jostle the gun too much even with a lock on, there can be an accidental discharge.
In addition, while a trigger lock can deter a small child from using your gun, it might not do the same for everyone. People have been known to use a screwdriver to pick at the lock, and some have managed to dismantle it with a drill.
This is why it’s important to understand the safety precautions related to trigger locks.
Trigger Locks and Firearm Safety
Like anything related to firearms, safety is a number one priority. While trigger locks are inexpensive, they shouldn’t be the only way you secure your firearm.
They’re an extra security measure.
Accidental discharge can still happen if the gun is loaded and if it’s jostled and/or dropped. In addition, people have been known to pick the locks with screwdrivers. That’s why it’s so important that in addition to trigger locks, you secure your firearm in another way.
Just remember, while trigger locks are extremely helpful in securing your gun, use them as an additional precaution.
Do you use trigger locks? If so, would you recommend gun owners to use them? Let us know in the comments section below!