On the pigtownsafety list, there has been abundant conversation concerning the desire of many residents to secure their homes. The deterrent method that has been the focus of many recent threads on the listserv has concerned installing security bars on windows.
Personally, I am a bit annoyed at this message traffic. I understand that some of the criminals are coming in via breaking windows, but I also think a fair number of these break-ins are occurring via other means. I think that it makes sense with certain windows–basement windows. Nonetheless, I do not think it is something that you should put on all windows.
On one level, I think it is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. I just do not think that the mad rush to install bars on windows is good, from both an aesthetic and psychological level. It is rare when you can get somewhat ornate bars, but I just do not think they look terribly good. Psychologically, it seems to me to send the message that you are a prisoner of your own home.
I am all for securing one’s home, but I think bars on windows is just an extreme reaction that is not necessary. At the end of the day, if a criminal wants into a house, they are going to find a way in. Bars on windows are just a simple deterrent. A better deterrent would be doing simple things–making sure your alarm is monitored, not putting expensive things in view of passersby, and just keeping aware of those folks in the neighborhood.
What I am saying does not do much for those who have been victimized by the criminal who smashed a window, but I just simply refuse to give into the current common refrain I hear to get security bars. I, for one, will just say “No.”
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Another thing they should consider is what bars on the windows convey to people looking to buy in the neighborhood. I’m not saying you should trick people but if I was looking at a neighborhood where a lot of people had bars on their windows I’d have to think hard about buying.
Another thing they should consider is what bars on the windows convey to people looking to buy in the neighborhood. I’m not saying you should trick people but if I was looking at a neighborhood where a lot of people had bars on their windows I’d have to think hard about buying.
Um, I guess you like air conditioning? Some of us don’t. Window bars allows one to leave their windows open at night. I really don’t care what the psychological message is or what other people think, I’m more concerned about my ability to breathe in fresh air.
Um, I guess you like air conditioning? Some of us don’t. Window bars allows one to leave their windows open at night. I really don’t care what the psychological message is or what other people think, I’m more concerned about my ability to breathe in fresh air.
Cham: I do like my AC (and BGE loves me all the more for that). Also my big front window doesn’t have a screen so opening it would also open up my house to any insect that would like to come in. Also I don’t really need to hear what the little Hampden hooligans are getting excited about that frequently.
Cham: I do like my AC (and BGE loves me all the more for that). Also my big front window doesn’t have a screen so opening it would also open up my house to any insect that would like to come in. Also I don’t really need to hear what the little Hampden hooligans are getting excited about that frequently.
If you live in Baltimore, I would hesitate to use the word “fresh” when describing the air here, especially in the summer.
If you live in Baltimore, I would hesitate to use the word “fresh” when describing the air here, especially in the summer.
… and if that isn’t enough, adopt a pit bull.
… and if that isn’t enough, adopt a pit bull.
@Paul and @Cham: I like my AC too, and quite frankly after years of living without it growing up in this fair city I want it. So, BGE gets my money and I stay comfortable in my home in the summer. Sounds like a fair deal.
@Carol: Sure, as most people do, I like to get some air flowing through the house. I never said the air was fresh, but I live in a city on the East Coast. If I wanted clean air, I would live way out somewhere. Then, I would go nuts.
@Alex: Or sharks with friggin’ laser beams attached to their heads.
Honestly, I did debate the notion of putting a moat around my house, but something tells me that my neighbors would not appreciate that too much. Besides, after putting bars on the windows, I would be just one step removed from such home-defense lunacy.
@Paul and @Cham: I like my AC too, and quite frankly after years of living without it growing up in this fair city I want it. So, BGE gets my money and I stay comfortable in my home in the summer. Sounds like a fair deal.
@Carol: Sure, as most people do, I like to get some air flowing through the house. I never said the air was fresh, but I live in a city on the East Coast. If I wanted clean air, I would live way out somewhere. Then, I would go nuts.
@Alex: Or sharks with friggin’ laser beams attached to their heads.
Honestly, I did debate the notion of putting a moat around my house, but something tells me that my neighbors would not appreciate that too much. Besides, after putting bars on the windows, I would be just one step removed from such home-defense lunacy.
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