As Hurricane Milton approaches west-central Florida, highways are backed up for miles with people evacuating, creating a perfect storm for vandals to manage the upcoming weather event.
“If you think you’re going to steal, you have something else coming,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis during a briefing at the state’s Emergency Management Agency.
“If you go into someone’s home after the storm has passed, thinking you’re going to be able to commit a crime, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble. And really, you don’t know what’s behind that door in the second amendment situation.”
Geoff Fahringer, who has worked in law for 50 years and has taught several courses focusing on emergency preparedness, explained how homeowners can make their properties less attractive to would-be burglars.
HURRICANE MILTON TO STRENGTHEN AND INTENSIFY MAJOR BEFORE LEAVING FLORIDA
1. Pretend someone is home
Fahringer said that although the electricity is expected to be cut off, house owners can leave the lights on and even music playing inside their houses to make it look like people are living.
“Hopefully, if you have a home generator or power that doesn’t go out, the home [will] it looks like someone’s there,” Fahringer told Fox News Digital. “That’s the first thing we have to do in any situation where we’re not home, make it look like we’re home.”
Highway signs announce the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton and evacuation zones, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
2. Advertise alarm systems and cameras at home, even if you don’t have an alarm or surveillance system.
Fahringer said video cameras and stickers that alert potential burglars to alarm systems are good deterrents, and even if you don’t actually have these systems in place, some cheap dupes can make those burglars think twice.
“The smartest step is to prevent crime in your area [to] go to Amazon and buy a set of fake cameras,” he said. “There are cameras on Amazon for as low as $30 for a set of four that are solar powered or battery powered or solar powered. And they actually have a little red blinking light that shows the camera is recording, even though it’s a fake camera. For about $10, you can buy stickers for your window to show that the house has an alarm system.”
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A boarded-up business, marked with a sign that reads, “Go home Milton, UR drunk,” is seen walking past Hurricane Helene debris piled up outside a home, ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, at Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island, Fla. , October 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
3. Create a plan of action with the neighbors
If you’re going out and your neighbors aren’t there, consider contacting them to keep an eye on your place and let them know if anything is amiss.
“Meet the neighbors and discuss. What were we going to do? What is your plan, if any [are] strangers in the area now, day in and day out, it’s an important conversation,” Fahringer said.
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Debris from homes washed away by Hurricane Helene sits on the side of a road as Hurricane Milton approaches on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
“Criminals hate audiences,” Fahringer continued. “Think of foxes. Foxes watch a herd of deer. The last thing they want to do is be seen by a herd of deer. When you think of criminals. [are] nothing more than two-legged coyotes. They don’t want witnesses.”
Fahringer said neighbors should not directly confront strangers in the area. Instead, they should make a noise to alert all the neighbors of their presence.
“It is enough to let strangers in the neighborhood know that you see them,” he said.
“The first time you see an unfamiliar car down the street, hit your alarm button,” he said. “Your neighbors will hear. Everyone comes out to see what’s going on.”
Fahringer also suggested getting a pressurized airhorn to scare away burglars and alert other neighbors.
“It will alert and maybe scare or make the criminal change his plan,” he said. “It lets the neighbors know that something is going on.”
You should share contact information with your neighbors so that if they see something unusual happening in your home, they can let you know.
4. If you have a gun, take training classes and know how to use it
Florida is a “Stand Your Ground” state – if you are home after Hurricane Milton and a burglar breaks into your property, you are within your rights to use a firearm. However, Fahringer said it’s important to be prepared to use it.
“A lot of people have a false idea of how to deal with an armed threat. And a lot of it is based on what they see in movies and TV,” he said. “A lot of people hesitate or don’t respond and actually fire the weapon. And that’s a really good thing. That’s the way we should be.”
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“If you decide to become an armed citizen, I will urge you to take training courses,” he said. “You have to learn how your weapon works. You really have to learn how all similar types of weapons work, like the one you have. And you have to take real classes on how to safely handle that weapon. And part of those classes should be learning the laws of your state [regarding] the use of deadly physical force or even threatening physical force.”
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