Lots of good advice given, but it is easy to get lost in the many suggestions, and not prioritize. Law Enforcement Officers know their business (especially if they work in high crime districts), so heed their warnings. This happens to be my field of expertise (former LEO, plus specialist in security industry and executive protection).
First Option: If at all possible, I would consider moving from such a neighborhood, especially since you have young children to protect as well.
If moving is not an option, much of what you are going to do will depend on your budget. Some suggestions seem to have you remodeling your house, and turning it into Fort Knox (fine if you have the money).
The first thing you want to consider is the
deterrent factor. As others have said, if you can make your home a
harder target, criminals will likely move on. To this end, consider the following:
Priority 1: Alarm system. (I use the ADT system) A professionally installed and monitored alarm system comes before any other defense because a good system will cover all bases, and is virtually impossible to defeat (especially for the dope crazed attic looking for drug money). It works when you are asleep, awake, or away from home. Contact sensors on every door and window (upper and lower floors), and area motion sensors in every room.
Control panels with panic buttons should be installed at each entrance, and in the Master Bedroom (a panel in your safe room if you create one). The alarm system would have a loud siren at your residence, and call the monitoring company who will dispatch the police (or you can pay for an armed security service to respond in addition to police in case the police are busy).
Priority 2: Signs. In addition to the alarm itself, one of the best deterrents are the yard signs, and window stickers. Place them in every yard facing all directions, and in every ground floor window. A potential criminal who sees these indicators will likely move on to the next house. No criminal wants a noisy alarm going off as they are attempting to break in, nor do they want the police summoned by a monitored alarm system.
Priority 3: Noise. Besides an alarm, a dog is an excellent deterrent because they hear things better than people. Criminals do not like barking dogs drawing attention to their activities, and they don't like the idea of getting bitten by a big dog. However, when you are not at home, your dog can be taken out of the equation without anyone knowing. Another option, especially if you have a safe room, install a P.A. system with speakers on the outside of your house. If you hear someone breaking in, or is already in your house, a loud booming voice shouting at them to "get out! The police are on the way!" will usually send them running. Neighbors can hear it, which assists the neighborhood watch concept.
Priority 4: Visibility. Most criminals do not like to be seen approaching a house, or while breaking in. Keeping your property clear of objects, and shrubs where criminals can hide is essential (especially shrubs near the house). Lighting all dark areas at night (motion sensor lights work wonders - I have them all around my house - but a front and rear porch light could stay on all night). Interior lights on timers, and motion sensors help as well.
Priority 5: Additional Patrols. This is a very effective method of making a target undesirable. The more often a squad car passes an area at random times, criminals are reluctant to act in that neighborhood or choose that target. However, police are often tied up with other calls, so another option is to have a professional security patrol drive by at various times. This costs more money, but can be worth the investment to protect your family and property. Perhaps a group of neighbors would be willing to share the cost.
Moving Past Deterrence to Prevention
Priority 6.
Preventing Entry. While deterring a criminal works in most cases, and the better you deter them, the less likely they will try, there are those that will attempt entry no matter what alarms go off, what signs you post, or how well lit your house is. These criminals will pose as delivery people, mail carriers, meter readers, phone repair, or just casually stroll up to your door and kick it in hoping that no one notices at that moment (an alarm siren sounding at this point will usually scare them off).
However, preventing entry involves locks, gates on doors and windows, and even security shutters which hinge and lock, or roll up and down. It depends on how far you want to go, and how much you have to invest. Basement windows are best to be secured with bars that are very difficult to cut or remove quickly. Again, if you can slow them down in gaining access, while an alarm goes off, and police are on the way, they might give up and flee. Make it difficult for criminals to gain access to second stories by not providing objects near your house (ladders, trash cans, cars, antenna towers, etc) that they can climb. Make second story windows secure, and use contact sensors with an alarm.
In addition to the good advice about not opening the door to anyone you don't know, be careful that there is not someone with a gun behind the person you do know. Be sure there is not someone hiding around the corner or walking up behind you while you are unlocking your door to come home. If repairman (electric, phone or gas company) come to your door, have a way they can show you their ID without you opening the door (remember that most of those security chains can be forced and broken relatively easily. Don't rely on them.) Call the utility company to verify any workman before letting them in.
Priority 7. Defense upon entry. If someone gains access to your home when you are away, try to have ways to identify this before you enter the house in case they are still there. If criminals break in while you are there, self defense skills are important, and weapons can be useful, but the first priority should be to either flee out a back door, or go to a completely secure "safe room." Protect yourself and your family first (get out), call police secondly, fight criminals as a last resort. Keeping firearms safe from children is highly important. You might never need them for a break-in, but it is not worth the risk if a child is killed because of them not being secure.
Have your most deadly weapons locked in a case, the case stored in a locked cabinet, and the ammo stored separately. Besides trigger locks, guns can be purchased with a variety of safety features, including a digital combination to operate it. Easy for owners to use, difficult for children, or if an intruder gets your gun. For your primary defense, use less lethal weapons that are not likely to kill children if they get a hold of them. In most cases, you should have time to gather your children to a safe place, and barricade yourself in before going for your firearms, unless you have quick and safe access to your gun. There are a variety of non-lethal weapons that can be grabbed and used for quick defense in the mean time, and are less dangerous around kids.
Priority 8: Recovery of stolen property. Property can be replaced, lives can not! It is best not to resist unless absolutely necessary, but be prepared to fight with full lethal force. If your children are safe, and you have the means to repel an unlawful entry, the do so from the start, but if you are caught with no weapons (except your body) and there is risk of loss of life, let the criminals take your valuables and go. Right now, today, everyone should take inventory of all items of value in their house and car. Make a list, copy it, and keep copies in safe places inside and outside your home (safe deposit box, or relatives house). All expensive items should be engraved and marked for identification, and recorded accordingly.
Additional note and reminder to everyone: If you haven't already done this in the past few months, make sure there is a working smoke detector in each main room of your house, and one near each bedroom. Check the batteries today - right now! If you don't have enough smoke detectors, get them today. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen for small fires. Nothing robs you of your property and lives like an undetected fire. Also, if you have an attached garage, get a carbon monoxide detector today! Prevent the silent killer! Make a note to ask your friends, neighbors, and relatives about these as well!
Last Fearner
