In October of 1998, a man decided to burglarize a Pennsylvania home. The man’s name was Terrence Dickson, and he was easily able to break in, as the family was on vacation (and did not have an active security system installed). After amusing himself with stealing everything he found of value, Terrence Dickson decided to leave. He walked out the adjoining door to the garage, pulling it shut behind him. He pressed the button to activate the automatic door opener… and nothing happened. Panicked, Terrence Dickson tried to re-enter the home through the door he’d just closed. However, it had locked when he pulled it shut behind him.
Since the family was on vacation, Terrence Dickson was stuck in the garage of the home he’d just burglarized for about eight days. He was able to survive by drinking a case of Pepsi he discovered, along with eating some dry dog food that had been stored there. Once the family returned, they discovered a dehydrated Dickson still locked in their garage, and their house ransacked from his burglary.
Terrence Dickson was so affected by this ordeal, that he decided to sue the family that owned the home. He claimed that the experience had caused him to undergo “mental anguish”. Shockingly enough, the jury agreed with him, and he was awarded a settlement of $500,000. This has reportedly made this case a nomination for a “Stella Award”. The Stella Awards are named after Stella Liebeck, who spilled hot coffee on herself, and was able to sue McDonalds for $2.9 million dollars.
The only problem with this story? It’s not true. According to USA today, this story is among many fabricated legal battles that never actually occurred. In fact, this myth has become such a classic, that it’s included in many chain letters as a demand for legal reform. However, even though this story isn’t true, it does bring attention to the subject of garage security.
Garage Burglary Statistics
According to crime statistics, from 9 – 10% of burglars are able to enter a home by breaking in through the garage. Many homeowners forget to reinforce the security of their garage, which makes it a potential target for burglars. Over 70% of burglars are able to gain entry to a garage by using a small amount of force. Since over 93% of homeowners have a garage that is attached to their home, this presents a significant weakness in their total home security.
Garage Security Tips
If you need an instant-fix for a vulnerable garage door, you can use a C-Clamp device to make your garage door less likely to be pried open. Place the C-Clamp on the track of the door, right next to the roller. (Note: This is a quick fix only, and should not be used as a long-term burglary prevention method).
Cover your Garage windows, to prevent a burglar from being able to see when your car is gone.
Even when you are at home, keep your garage door and the adjoining door securely locked.
Always replace any loose or damaged panels on your garage door, since they can present a security risk.
Install secure locks on the windows in your garage.
If you have video monitoring, place a camera in an area where it can capture footage of the garage.
If you have an adjoining door that leads to your garage, install a one-way peephole. This can allow you to check on any strange noises you hear in your garage, without having to open the door.
Install a reinforced garage door. These can usually be found by searching for “Burglary-Proof Garage Doors”, or “Security Garage Doors”.
Look in to purchasing a monitored security system. There are many systems that also offer coverage options for garage security.
Related posts:
- Garage Door Security – The Basics
Statistically, a significant percentage of thieves enter a residence by breaking in through the garage. In order to protect the security of your home, you have...
