Dear friends and clients,

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Violent crimes were virtually unheard of when I first arrived 20 years ago. In regards to our safety, I have prepared the following list of 20 layers of protection. I suggest using most of them.

  1. Act and think as if the police do not exist. They will not respond timely.
  2. Never leave anything outside.
  3. Keep cars garaged.
  4. Keep the home’s exterior well kept and lit.
  5. Keep two dogs outside.
  6. Cross fence and keep a dog that barks loudly and often at the perimeter section.
  7. Keep two aggressive dogs inside. Train dogs to trust your immediate family only. The dogs are pets but remember that they are working dogs and kept from the neighbors and safeguarded so they are not a danger to visitors. Make sure the word is out that they are vicious to outsiders.
  8. Fence the property so the front door is not directly accessible to the street. Make the fence at least give the illusion that it is substantial.
  9. Use motion detector lights.
  10. Use a timer on two interior lamps to simulate being home when away.
  11. Install 5-foot, thin metal reinforcement bar that runs inside the door jamb and is attached with 5 inch screws. Use the same screws on the hinges; four hinges per door. Front doors are very common entry points.
  12. Use keyed dead bolts only (no interior knob).
  13. Keep all spare keys well hidden (important).
  14. Build a metal-door safe room to store you valuables.
  15. Use decorative iron security windows. If you want a window without bars use a large piece of thick plate glass.
  16. Have a walk-in closet for escape in case of emergency. Use a decorative iron door and frame with phone jack inside (phone ringer off). Keep essentials such as medicine/water/weapons inside.
  17. Agree with your neighbors to watch each other’s homes and note license plate numbers of unusual cars parked nearby.
  18. Have an escape plan that determines where to run to outside the home. Actually congregate there in the night and make sure the meeting place is free of dangerous objects or things that could give away your position such as loose wood etc.
  19. Establish a relationship with the police. Go to the station and at least talk to them. Bring a supply of pads and pens, and stop by occasionally to ask if more are needed. Provide police with a first aid kit for the car. Supply large rechargeable search style flashlights. They will use them.
  20. Firearms. Firearms are a personal choice. I recommend 38 revolvers with quick loaders, and shotgun. If you choose to be armed, you must practice shooting. The only way to be familiar with your firearm is to fire it. Period. If you don’t have the time to know your gun or don’t want to, I wouldn’t own one. I have taught my wife gun use and safety. She has her personal firearm. Our family shoots at least every couple of months. My child practices and carries a weapon (unloaded) as we hike our finca. I carry a loaded weapon. We fire them on the finca occasionally.

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Prepare the family emotionally to shoot to kill, and discuss the laws that affect discharging weapons, but do not let the law come in front of family security.

Finally, neighborhood profile is extremely important. If the neighbors know that you are vigilant, aware and prepared, you are 90% less likely to suffer trauma.

You may choose not to use all of the above, but the idea is to use layers of protection with which you are comfortable and to let the neighborhood see that you take security seriously.

Written by Phil Baker who has spent 20 years traveling, living and investing in Costa Rica and he’s the author of 496 page book: Costa Rica Now – A Travel Guide to Living and Owning in Paradise.

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