Blair Shanahan Lane knew for a long time exactly what she wanted to be when she got older.

“I can remember so many times when we’d be out and she would see a police officer,” Blair’s mother, Michele Shanahan DeMoss said. “She’d always walk up to them and tell she was going to be a police officer, too, one day. She wanted to be a detective and make a difference in people’s lives.”

But seven months ago, while Blair was dancing with friends and family at a Fourth of July celebration, the 11-year-old suddenly fell to the ground. Her mother, who was sitting nearby, rushed to her side, thinking maybe she was hurt by fireworks.

It wasn’t until Blair got to the hospital that it was discovered she had been struck in the neck by a bullet.

On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Mike Talboy introduced what’s being called “Blair’s Law,” a bill that would make it a felony to negligently discharge a firearm within the limits of any municipality. A violation would be a class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. “We shouldn’t wait to act or we may have another fatally wounded child,” Jean Peters Baker
 (Jackson Count Prosecutor) said. We are going to Jefferson City to speak with lawmakers about Blair's Law.  Hopefully to stop some other innocent person from being a victim from a stupid act.  With Blair's Law, and more education about gun safety, maybe Blair can help prevent s future Tragedy.

Because of its relation to crimes more violent than burglary, home invasion is a particularly frightening possibility for homeowners. Home invasion, defined as “burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home,” typically leads to other crimes once the intruder has entered the home, sometimes as serious as sexual assault, rape or murder. The most frightening fact about home invasion is that the perpetrator can often perform the crimes without being detected by neighbors or potential aid just outside your home. Criminals who might perform a home invasion will rely on this privacy, so you must ensure that they do not enter your home. Though the chances of home invasion may have never occurred to you as particularly high, recent statistics suggest that this form of burglary is on the rise. According to a United States Department of Justice report:

• 38 percent of assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during home invasions
• One in five homes undergoes a home invasion or break-in
• There are more than 8,000 home invasions every day in North America
• 50 percent of home invasions involve the use of a weapon; the most common weapons used are knives or other cutting instruments
• In 48 percent of home invasions, victims sustain physical injuries
• Victims age 60 or older make up 17 percent of home invasion victims
• In 68 percent of home invasions, victims and the accused are strangers; in 11 percent of these cases, victims and the accused are friends, business associates, or family

The best defense is always offense, so prepare yourself, your home, and your family to defend against home invasion:

• Use doors with solid cores rather than hollow wooden doors, complete with heavy duty locks
• Install security devices in windows such as alarm systems or bars
• Utilize all locks on any entrance into your home
• Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in door frames
• Install and use a peephole in your doors to assess visitors prior to opening the door
• Install and set home security systems to prevent a home invasion while you are asleep
• If you are suspicious of visitors, alert neighbors or Neighborhood Watch groups

I read a funny story in Reader’s Digest last summer. A woman had just gotten new furniture and appliances for her home and was nervous about burglars. So she wrote a note and taped it to the front door: “Nancy, the snake’s loose again, don’t come in. Mom”

 

This might work but it likely won’t. All thieves are opportunists and will prey on the easiest targets. If it looks too hard or time consuming they’ll move on. So make it difficult for them and chances are you’ll be fine.

 

Don’t be predictable. Come home for lunch once a week on different days, leave lights on timers to come on in a visible, empty room for a hour during the night. Get a ride to work from a co-worker twice a week and leave your car in the driveway, offer to do the same for them. Anyone watching your home will be discouraged if you don’t stay away during fixed hours.

 

It might seem convenient, but taking your trash out the night before trash day gives the bad guys time to see what you bought last week. That big-screen TV box is just an invitation and so is your recycling bin. If you’re having a large appliance delivered make sure the delivery guys take the box with them when they leave.

 

Let the dog bark. Big dogs, little dogs, any dog that makes a ruckus is a deterrent. A thief doesn’t want the neighbors attention so give Fido a treat.

 

Don’t tell the whole world you’re going on vacation. Hair stylists, grocery clerks, the guy installing your carpet or your mechanic don’t need to know you’re headed for Cabo. Large burglary rings have been traced to informants who eavesdrop for just this kind of information. And please, wait until you’re home to post those photos on Facebook.

 

Alarms and video surveillance systems are a crook's Achilles heel. So make sure those alarm signs, stickers and placards are in the front as well as the back. And whether you have it or not include the note that you have video surveillance equipment. Thieves may think they can outrun an alarm but the thought of being caught on video is a thief repellent!

 

Best Security Services can help you with all of your security needs. Call Brian at 816-419-2794 and he or his team will consult with you and choose the system that’s best for you and your family.  Stay tuned for more tips, tricks and advice on home security and new products that will keep you safe and give you piece of mind.

Security Cameras:

We can install security cameras at your home or business. We use the latest camera equipment available. Having security cameras will help deter crime.  People who see cameras on premise are less likely to commit crimes.  If you have a camera in your business, install a monitor where each customer can see there face when they come in your location.  The person will know you now have their picture on your security camera recorder.  Make sure there is a camera that can see each car as it enters or leaves your parking area.  Then you will be sure to have an accurate description of a vehicle if you need it for the police department.

 

 

 

We can install and monitor alarms in sheds or garages behind your home.  Wether you have a phone line or not, we can still monitor the alarm system.  Protect your tools, cars or any other values you store in a garage or other building.

This past week, a customer had an alarm go off at their site.  They went to check on their building, saw no doors were open or unlocked, so they left.  The next morning, it was discovered a lot of equipment had been stolen.

If an alarm goes off, there is always something that causes it.  It may have been caused by a balloon floating around, a door not secured tightly or maybe a burglar!

With a crime rate of 83 per one thousand residents, Kansas City has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 12.