What to do if you suspect or encounter a burglar

• Burglars often are deterred when people or dogs are present%3B if a person knocks%2C let him know you are there
• If you encounter burglar%2C retreat to safety or place barrier between you and intruder%2C like dining room table
• Remember%2C never confront or attempt to apprehend a burglar. Nothing is worth your safety or your life

Question: What should you do if you suspect an intrusion in your home and what do you do if you encounter a burglar?

Answer: The foundation of self-defense is to be aware of your surroundings and avoid dangerous people, places and situations. If you return home and observe signs of an intrusion, such as a screen off a window, a fractured door frame or a damaged lock, retreat to safety and call the police. Do NOT enter your residence if you suspect an intrusion.

Burglars often are deterred when people or dogs are present. If a suspicious person knocks on your door, let him know you are there. If you don't feel comfortable answering, you can yell something like: "Mike, I'm busy, can you get the door?" This gives the impression there is more than one person home and one of them is a male. Otherwise, if their intent is to break in and you hide or remain quiet, there is an increased chance they will enter with you inside.

If you return home and encounter a burglar, stay calm and retreat to safety. If this is not possible, place a barrier between you and the intruder, for example a dining room table. Be cooperative, unless the encounter becomes physical. If you have to fight, go primal!

If you are home and hear an intruder, lock and barricade your bedroom door and acquire a weapon. If you have an alarm system, hit the panic button and call 911. Let the intruder know you are there. Since an intruder likely will view a male as a more formidable opponent, this can be accomplished by yelling, "Bob, grab the gun, there is someone in the house!"

Remember, never confront or attempt to apprehend a burglar. Nothing is worth your safety or your life.

Officer Julie Werhnyak has been with the Tempe Police Department for 15 years. She has been assigned to the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy on two occasions and has worked in the TPD Training Unit as a recruiter and a field-training officer.

E-mail public-safety questions for your police or fire departments to lee.shappell@arizonarepublic.com and place "public-safety question" on the subject line.