An I-Team Investigation

When you think about it, your home is like a bank vault and should be protected like one. It's where you keep all the things you collect over the years--things like your grandmother's diamond earrings and your new big screen TV with surround sound.

But as our I-Team found, all burglars see is a way to make a quick buck.

Since this time last year, there have been more than 400 burglaries in Anchorage. Police say, even if they catch the criminal, it's rare when victims get their belongings back. CBS 11 News wanted to know how to protect your home, so we brought in an expert.

Meet Detective Tammy Dunn. She's worked for the Anchorage Police Department

for over 14 years and busts burglars for a living. She knows how they think; so we invited her to our producer's house. We found out that he has a lot of work to do on his house---if he wants to keep criminals away.

"You have a quick-set lock. That's a cheap lock," said Detective Dunn of the Anchorage Police Department.

"See how it gives? I can push on it and it's already breaking the seal," said Detective Dunn.

The back door was no better.

"See this? You need to fix this," said Detective Dunn.

And the ground level windows--

"The blinds help because you don't know what's down there. But the broken glass makes it easier to bust through," said Detective Dunn.

Officer Dunn says the biggest thing you can do to protect your home is to keep it from looking like an easy target.

What are some things outside a house that can attract a burglar to want to get in?

"Big rocks. Because that's an easy fix for, 'I didn't bring a hammer today to knock down a door,'" said Detective Dunn.

Other things to keep out of view are ladders and boxes for anything valuable, like electronics, that you may have inside. Also, keep out of sight anything that makes it look like you're out

of town.

In her experience, Officer Dunn say burglars prefer privacy when they break in.

"They tend not to be violent kind of people. They would really rather nobody be home," said Detective Dunn.

So when you leave for work, she says leave a light or radio on. In the summer if you go on vacation, it's a good idea to have someone take care of the front yard.

In the winter have someone plow your driveway or make car tracks in the snow. And it's always a good idea to change your daily routine. If a burglar can't figure out when you're not going to be home, he or she will likely move on to the next house.

"Don't advertise. Don't make your, it look so inviting that someone would want to go in there for whatever reason," said Detective Dunn.

And always remember to lock the door when you're not home--even the back one.

Officer Dunn also gave CBS 11 News this to think about:
We should protect our homes like we do our cars. She says too often we let our guard down and leave our homes unprotected. That's all a burglar needs to make your stuff, his stuff.

She also told us it's a good idea to get to know your neighbors. Then you can work together and keep an eye out for each other.

If you have a story for the I-Team that you want me to look into, you can call the I-Team hotline number at 273-3111.