Practical Defense 121 - Keys and a Floor Plan

[Alex Haddox]

Keys and a Floor Plan
We address some errata from Episode 120 and we read a listener-provided tip on creating a packet of keys and information that can be thrown to police in the event of a prolonged home invasion.

7:01 mins


(it is really hard to follow last week's show!)

[Charlie Foxtrot]

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Do you think the police will bother with fumbling around for keys?

The reason I ask the question is:  When I lived in an apartment, the woman below me had a smoke in bed, while on oxygen, with the predictable results.  The fire department responded very quickly and evacuated the building.  When they got to my door, they found it locked, as I was traveling for work.   

When I got home a day later, I found a size 19 bootprint right by the door's locks, and the door jamb in the back of the living room.  My little crazy landlord was in tears, saying he was with the firemen, with the passkey in hand, unlocking my door.  The firemen moved him aside, saying they had a better way; and one of their uniformed gorillas blew in the door. 

It was fast and effective.  I can't imagine the cops would be less interested in speed.     
 

[Alex Haddox]

Different goals, plus, there was not an armed assailant on the other side. Kicking in the door would alert the bad guy to your presence and position. Stealth might be more prudent.

It is always best to have several options available. I imagine a floor plan would always be welcome. As the resident, I would love to put a big red X where I was with my family so that the LEOs would be less likely to shoot us when they clear the home (even if the bag guy is long gone).

[walkingbush]

I haven't heard the podcast but my defensive shooting instructor recommends what sounds like a similar thing. Floor on a laminated card on a key ring with the house key. He goes a step farther and recommends attaching a glow stick to the key ring so responding officers can easily locate the package at night.

Michael Coffman

[Alex Haddox]

The addition of a chemical lightstick was covered in the show. 

The tip was submitted by a listener.