In the 10 years we have lived in our current house, we haven't had a break-in. We have a sophisticated alarm, stickers on the windows, a sign in the front yard and a 150 lb Great Pyranese in the back yard.
I have 4 rental houses and have about 4 break-ins a year. The neighborhoods are different and there aren't alarm systems.
At my warehouse, there have been many attempts at break-ins, but the alarm has motion sensors, sirens, etc. The only time there was a successful break-in, I was in the building at 6:30 AM one morning last year and didn't lock the door. I received damaging cuts on my left arm (severed tendons) that that have left we with mobility problems and numbness. I had a 5 shot 45 long colt Taurus in the drawer, loaded with 410 buckshot. I chose not to use it, but hurt the kid with a wooden club to the point where he spent several days in the hospital and, even though he was convicted of the criminal charges of breaking and entering and inflicting bodily harm, sued ME in civil court for injuries.
I'm still so very glad I didn't kill the kid, even though the injuries have permanently changed my life and music career.
R.
Russ