Burglarized

On September 4, 2009 I arrived home to find my condo burglarized. The screen to the window was on the ground and the plant and candles that decorated the window sill were missing.

As I entered the house, I observed my front closet door open and an empty box on the ground. I walked further into the kitchen and the light was on and the cabinets were open.

This was odd because when I left my house in the morning everything was closed. I ran into my bedroom and noticed the sheets and comforter were stripped off the bed and thrown on the ground. My dresser drawers and closet door was opened. I ran to see if my laptop was still there and it had been stolen. The things underneath the bed were removed and lying in the middle of the floor.

I rushed back out into the living room and the wall unit doors and draws were left ajar also. I ran into the other bedroom and saw the same disarray. I notice a bin of expensive name brand clothes were missing and shoes were scattered everywhere.

I quickly contacted 911. When they arrived 20 minutes later I informed them as to what was stolen. Then they checked for fingerprints and were unable to retrieve any as the burglars wore gloves. I was angry at first because my possessions had been stolen and I felt like the officers didn't care. Then I was scared because my privacy was invaded and that was the second burglary in that complex in less than a week.

All kinds of thoughts raced through my mind. I was unable to sleep at home and at night. I became paranoid and slept with a knife under my pillow and a chair to the door. Afterwards I became vengeful because the things that were stolen were possessions I had worked hard for and someone took them. I contemplated purchasing a gun because I was frightened they would return at night when I was home alone. I was also feeling unsafe and physically sick because I was really scared.

Having your privacy invaded bothers your emotional state. It is almost as though you are victim and your prey is watching your every move and you have no idea what that person looks like. It is the most uncomfortable feeling and thoughts of how you are going to protect yourself arise.

Although, I understood purchasing a gun was dangerous, I knew I had to protect my self in a place I felt like was no longer my home. After talking to several people they advised installing an alarm system and enforcing the association to get security as protection. I still didn't feel safe until I my brother and friends moved in.

I am still a little shaken by this experience and have to search each corner of my home when I enter but I will not allow fear to rule over my life and have me move. God, friends and family are helping me through this experience.