Using a Honeypot to Snare Home Invaders

What do you get when you cross a dozen federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and the nation's top city for home invasions with the myth of large quantities of cocaine? Answer: 70 arrested gun toting vicious home invaders.

The term Honeypot in technology refers to a trap set to detect, deflect, or in some manner counteract attempts at unauthorized use of information systems. In simpler terms a honeypot is a trap set for the bad guy that is so tempting, they can't help themselves but attack.

Phoenix Arizona has had the distinction of being that famed city where home invasions are a massive problem.

ATF agents set a trap where they "leaked" word of homes with drugs and armed guards that never existed. But the suspects showed up with guns, duct tape and zip ties, ready to steal the cocaine. Instead, they were arrested.

One man had served an eight-year sentence for aggravated assault before he was released in March 2009. Three months later, he was in a car with four other armed men preparing to steal thousands of dollars' worth of cocaine when ATF agents arrested him.

Obviously if you are reading this you probably don't need to worry about your home being invaded because you don't have 10 kilos of cocaine under your bed. But, the fact remains there are wacky people out there that think nothing of taking advantage of regular folk for a lot less.

Every family must have a plan for home security and home security alarm.

• Get a trained German shepherd.
• Another consideration is a home safe-room also known as a "panic room" where families can hide out in a relatively bullet proof, well stocked room equipped with wireless communications and wait for law enforcement to show up.
• Never talk to strangers via an open or screen door. Always talk to them through a locked door.
• NEVER let children open the doors. Always require and adult to do it.
• Not all home invaders knock, some break in without warning. Just another reason to have that home alarm on.
• Install a 24-hour camera surveillance system. Security cameras are a great deterrent. Have them pointed to every door and access point.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Invasions on Montel Williams. Disclosures