What Basic Steps Can I Take To Protect My Home
Having your home broken into is not common. There are however many ways that you can help secure your home. They dont all cost money some are common sense and good housekeeping.
First, think about basic good housekeeping routines that arent expensive:
PC Stevie McGill from Edinburgh shows you how you can secure your home.
Can Cops Search Your Phone For Evidence If Its Locked
In short, no. Furthermore, your Fifth Amendment rights protect you from handing out self-incriminating information, which includes access to your phone.
To clarify, even if a police officer had a warrant and seized your device, the law doesnt require you to unlock it for them.
Yet, having said that, many enforcement agencies have software that allows them to unlock pin or password protected smartphones. They may utilize this tool when they have an existing search warrant.
After that, whatever evidence they uncover can be used against you.
The Fourth: When Can Police Take Your Phone Without A Warrant
The original text of the Fourth Amendment protects your persons, houses, papers, and effects from an unwarranted search. However, as time went by and technology became more advanced, courts evolved their interpretation of this.
During the first half of the 20th century, the United States Supreme Court held that privacy rights only applied to physical belongings. In other words, law enforcement dont need a warrant to spy on someones phone calls.
Yet in 1967, the Katz v. United States case changed that. Firstly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation monitored a public phone. After that, Charles Katz used the booth to place bets on sports games, without knowing that the FBI was recording his conversation.
Katz was also breaking certain gambling laws. As a result of the recorded phone calls, the FBI knew about Katzs illegal activities. Subsequently, they brought charges against him.
The USSC, nonetheless, ruled in Katzs favor. This is because the FBI violated his Fourth Amendment rights. More specifically, the court held that private conversations, even if they were conducted in public , are protected by privacy laws.
Today, with the rise of internet technology, many Fourth Amendment rights apply to email records, phone calls, and other forms of digital content. The USSCs ruling on Katz vs. United States paved the way for this.
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Ask Yourself: When Would The School Call The Police
Think about your childs school for a moment. Does the school tolerate assault, punching holes in the wall, or speaking in a verbally abusive way to others? Of course not.
In fact, all the schools Ive worked with call the police if a student assaults someone, uses drugs, or destroys property.
Schools take action because they understand something that parents can lose sight ofkids make the choice to do these things, and as a result, they should be held accountable.
Tips To Prevent Further Lock Outs
When youve locked yourself out once, you are unlikely to want to do it again! So here are some tips to stop you from finding yourself in the same situation.
- Give a spare key to trusted family and friends, try to find those who live relatively close, so they dont mind swinging by to give you a key. A neighbour is best, if you have a good relationship with them.
- You may want to consider buying a key safe. You can safely store spare keys, that way if you do need a copy you just need to know the code.
- Get into the habit of making sure you have your keys, even if you are just popping out to the bins. Especially if you have a door that locks automatically behind you. If you find yourself getting locked out frequently because of the door locking automatically, you may want to consider changing your door type.
- Try to keep an eye on your keys when out and about. Do not leave your bag unattended at any point, as your keys could be stolen.
- If you notice your key and lock are getting sticky or hard to work, then you should call a Locksmith, its always better to get a head of the problem. It will be less stressful to arrange a time for a Locksmith to come and take look, rather than calling in an emergency when the lock finally does give up.
The Engineer did a very good job fitting and adjusting the lock. He arrived promptly and was pleasant and polite throughout with a good sense of humour!
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Joggers Pass By Your Home Too Often
Some burglars use the excuse of jogging to pass by a home multiple times. For the most part, you shouldnt worry about seeing a stranger jog by your home one time. However, if a stranger jogs by the house multiple times, it might be smart to worry. In some cases, burglars will jog back and forth on the same street to see when people leave their homes. This also allows them to see which homes have home security systems and which are left unprotected.
What To Do Instead
When you get locked out of your vehicle, rather than calling the police, call a mobile car locksmith Houston instead. Dedicated car locksmiths are available around the clock and are prepared to come out and assist you right away. You wont need to wait around for a long time in Houston, TX for a mobile car locksmith to arrive. Also, you wont need to wait for a long time for the professional locksmith to be able to get inside of your vehicle. Those professionals have the right skills for unlocking various car doors or can replace or cut a key right there on the spot. You will be able to get back into your car right away without it getting damaged. You will just need to pay for the service, and not for damages or a tow truck. Most of the time, the costs are quite reasonable for locksmith services.
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What Tools Do Your Locksmiths Use To Unlock Cars
Our mobile service vehicle units are fully stocked with a myriad of tools that we use to unlock our clients’ cars. Some of our most commonly used tools include:
Slim Jims
This tool is a long piece of flattened metal with a handle on the top end. While this might be a tool you may have seen in the movies, in reality, this tool takes a lot of skill to use successfully.
Wedges
Our car locksmiths use the wedge to make a gap between the car door and the car door frame. We can then reach into the car and gain access the car door lock from inside the vehicle.
Probes
This is the long, thin tool that we use in order to access the interior door locks. Our expert auto locksmith will decide when a probe is best used or avoided in your car.
Auto lockpicks
Using auto lock pick is tricky and time-consuming. It is not usually the first tool a locksmith will choose to use when unlocking your car door. It is required at times, which is why we carry it around with us at all times.
Auto Jigglers
We use auto jigglers, or tryout keys when dealing with older model vehicles. These look like toy keys because of their unusual shapes. We try to fit the right key in the car lock in order to unlock it.
Through The Garage Door
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Can Police Take Your Phone Without A Warrant And Use It For Evidence
Firstly, the courts cannot accept any evidence if prosecutors obtained it without a warrant. For example, the cops arrest a suspected drug dealer and find text messages that prove that the person was selling illegal substances.
However, they got this information through a warranties search. As a result, the courts will not charge the defendant because the police violated their Fourth Amendment rights.
This argument is even stronger when the text messages are the only proof of wrongdoing. In other words, if the courts decision was mainly based on improperly obtained evidence, then you can use the Fourth Amendment to defend yourself.
Yet when there is other proof against you, such as witness testimonies or public cameras that caught you in the illegal act, the story may be different. Since that evidence was collected without violating the Fourth Amendment, the court will likely still charge you.
Why? Because whether or not the police obtained the text messages is irrelevant to the judges decision. After all, there are still other forms of proof against you.
Use A Credit Card On A Springbolt
Its pretty scarry how most doors can be opened with a credit card. How to do it:
Place the credit card inside the small gap between the door and the door frame. Sliding the card between the striking plate and the door latch will push the door latch in, and the door will open.
Heres a more detailed step-by-step guide:
Heres a video tutorial:
Try this a few times, as it can take some practice to get a handle on it .
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Eviction Must Be Legal
As an owner of the home, you can change the locks if you choose. However, this doesn’t change your husband’s right to occupy the home — or even change the locks back — if he shares ownership with you. This is true regardless of whose name is on the title or lease, or which one of you makes the mortgage or lease payments. Regardless of the state in which you live, the law requires that you legally evict your spouse. If you are afraid for your safety or that of your children, perhaps because of a history of domestic violence, you can obtain an order of protection, also known as a restraining order. This will bar your spouse from returning to the home, giving you exclusive use and possession of it. If you plan to divorce your spouse, you can ask the court to grant you exclusive possession of the house. You can make this request at the beginning of the divorce proceedings. If granted, the court will issue you a temporary order of possession until the divorce is granted and the matter is permanently resolved.
References
Option : Ask For Help
Call your partner, roommate, or anyone you live with to see if they can come home and let you in. It may be inconvenient for them, but youll spend less time stranded outside your house.
If you rent your place, try reaching out to your landlord. They will usually have a copy of your house key and may be close enough to unlock the door.
If you live in an apartment complex, stop by the managers office and ask for access to your unit. Have proof of identity on-hand alongside evidence that you do indeed live in the complex. But beware: many apartment complexes charge lockout fees if the staff has to help you get back inside.
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Im Locked Out Of My Apartment Now What
The first thing you should so call friends or relatives that might have a spare key. Many times, people will give extra keys to parents, friends or boyfriends so the have access to the apartment or home for emergencies, etc.
We would consider being locked out an emergency. Depending on how long it can take for your friend to arrive, you may be locked out for a while. This method is the easiest, most cost-effective and least embarrassing method of getting back into your home or apartment.
You might get the occasional stare from passersby, but thats about it.
Can The Police Force Me To Give Them My Password
If your phone is password protected, this gives you somewhat of a protective barrier in the event of your arrest or police questioning.
During your arrest, the police will caution you and say you do not have to say anything. Not only does this protect you from having to answer police officers questions, it also means that you dont have to disclose your phones password or any social media login details if requested.
However, problems could arise if youre being investigated for terrorist activity or sexual offences against children.
If served with a S49 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 200 , youll be legally required to provide passwords to open electronic devices. Failure to do so is a criminal offence that can result in between two to five years imprisonment for cases involving national security or child indecency. This type of notice cannot be issued by regular police officers and must be given by specialist officers.
According to schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, police, immigration and customs officials have the power to detain people at borders and request any information they wish. They can do this even if they have no proof that the individual is involved in a crime.
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Put Up A Home Security Sign
Having a home security system wont prevent your home from becoming a target unless the burglar knows that the home is protected. When you buy a home security system, most alarm companies will give you a home security sign. The sign can be placed on the front lawn or in the windows of the home. When you get the sign, dont throw it away. Instead, put the sign up in the yard or in the widows. Having the sign up will alert burglars that your home is protected and that it would be smarter to move along.
What If I Call The Police And The Behavior Continues
If the abusive, destructive, or criminal behavior continues, the main thing that you want is for your child to be held accountable on another level.
One way the courts do that is by putting your child on probation. Having a probation officer adds another dimension of accountability. Once on probation, if your child punches a hole in the wall, not only do you tell him to stop, but you call his probation officer. When your teen meets with him, the probation officer says, Your mom told me you punched a hole in the wall. I thought we said you were going to work on that. I thought you promised me you werent going to do that anymore. Think of the probation officer as another level of authority for you.
Ive seen probation officers and judges work out plans for kids who are aggressive and violent. Theyll put them in juvenile detention for a weekend or two. It can be very effective. They dont send the child away forever.
After his time is up, they bring him back to court and say, So what do you think? You think you can stop hurting people? If the kid smarts off, they send him back for another weekend. Theyre trying to teach him to be accountable.
Ideally, a counselor or therapist says to your child:
Thats how coping skills are developed by professionals. These punishments and consequences are all designed to teach your child to make different choiceschoices that are healthier and safer.
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Do Not Try To Fix It Yourself
You should also not try and fix the problem yourself as this could make the situation worse. If you have not damaged the lock, then trying to open the door yourself could cause you to do so. That means having to spend more money getting it fixed! If you do manage to open the door yourself, the techniques you use to open your door may invalidate your insurance, as you may have compromised the internal mechanisms of the lock, or weakened the door itself. Its always best to engage the services of a professional Locksmith so you can be sure the work is done to a high standard and you are truly secure.