| When home invasion occurs, you want help. Violent | | | | stuff. If they enter your safe room, defend yourself |
| conflicts happen quickly. They are over in seconds. | | | | and your family. It is "an eye for an eye", not "an |
| (You will want to call 911 to get police rolling in your | | | | eye for a TV." You can defend yourself, but not |
| direction. Remember, the police have no specific | | | | your belongings. |
| requirement to safeguard you as an individual citizen.) | | | | The police will arrive with very little information. Pick |
| Police aren't required to protect you. In Warren v. | | | | up the phone and ask for the officer's name and |
| District of Columbia (1981), the D.C. Court of Appeals | | | | badge number. Let the operator know where you |
| ruled, "official police personnel and the government | | | | are in the home and what you are wearing. The |
| employing them are not generally liable to victims of | | | | police will react to the information they have. If they |
| criminal acts for failure to provide adequate police | | | | know nothing, they will treat you as the bad guy. |
| protection... a government and its agents are under | | | | Do not get into the chat mode. Anything you say or |
| no general duty to provide public services, such as | | | | do will be retold to the press and to the court. You |
| police protection, to any particular citizen." In Bowers | | | | do not have to tell them anything. If your wits are |
| v. DeVito (1982), the Seventh Circuit Court of | | | | still about you consider: |
| Appeals ruled, "[T]here is no constitutional right to be | | | | - "They broke into my home." |
| protected by the state against being murdered by | | | | - "I was afraid for my life and the life of my family." |
| criminals or madmen." | | | | - "They attacked me." |
| Your 911 call will be recorded and will serve as an | | | | - "I'll sign a complaint." |
| electronic witness to the event. It will be introduced | | | | - "There is the evidence." |
| as evidence. Let it be a strong witness for YOU. | | | | - "I need to talk to my lawyer." |
| Operators will need the basics: | | | | - "I do not consent to any search." |
| - Who? | | | | Then shut up! Don't talk to neighbors or to ANYONE |
| - Where? | | | | ELSE. Contact your lawyer. (Look for the article on |
| - What is the emergency? | | | | developing a relationship with a lawyer coming soon |
| Consider this format: | | | | to this web site.) You may be arrested on the spot |
| "This is John Doe at 123 Elm Street. Someone just | | | | and questioned. Again, you do not have to say |
| broke into my home. I have my family in the master | | | | anything. This is one of the hardest lessons to get |
| bathroom. I am armed and will shoot. Please send the | | | | across. SAY NOTHING. The United States Concealed |
| police quickly". | | | | Carry Association has a card you can present to the |
| The operator will try and engage you in conversation | | | | police that sums all this up for you. You can just hand |
| and keep you on the line. Tell them you are putting | | | | them the card and sit down. |
| the phone down. If someone tries to enter your safe | | | | For more information and training visit |
| room, warn them loudly, "Don't come in here. I have | | | | Remember: Have a plan, practice it with your family, |
| a gun. Leave my house." If they comply, your next | | | | and execute it! |
| fight is with your insurance company to replace your | | | | |