Way, way way too close to home for my comfort.

(Gilbert police Sergeant Mark) Marino said events began to unfold around 2 a.m. when officers responded to a home invasion in the 3600 block of East Stampede Drive.

The suspects had forced their way into the home armed with semi-automatic rifles and wearing body armor.

A man inside the home was beaten, Marino said.

The home invaders left in two vehicles as officers arrived.

One of the vehicles was stopped and the suspects arrested in the area of Germann and Higley roads, but the Jeep kept going.

In the area of Williams Field and Gilbert roads, officers used the driving maneuver in which the patrol car bumps the fleeing vehicle’s bumper, sending it into a spin.

All this started just over two miles from my house and in a rather nice neighbourhood.
Some disturbing takeaways from this incident:

• Kudos to the Gilbert Police Department for their quick, effective response
  
• The bad guys were armed to the teeth: Evil black rifles and body armor? Not good.
• That heavy firepower indicates that this was drug-related and not something the average homeowner needs to worry about. 
• Unless the bad guys get the wrong house by mistake, that is.

A half-dozen guys with armor and rifles is tall order for anyone to defend against. There are, however, some steps you can take to shift the odds in your favor.

• Have a plan in case someone breaks in to get you and your family to a safe room in your home as quickly as possible. 
• The safe room could be an inside bedroom or similar and should have a lockable door, the heavier, the better.
• And a phone, flashlight and first aid kit.
• And if you deem it necessary, have a firearm that is easily accessible yet secure when not needed in your safe room. Gunvault makes an excellent small safe for pistols, and cable locks can keep a long gun safe and secure from prying hands when not needed.

The Gilbert Police did the right thing this time, and they did it well. However, Gilbert also has the lowest number of cops per capita in all of Arizona. Our police are well-trained and professional, but no matter how many of them are out there on the streets, the first responder to any crime will always be the person attacked, and their actions determine whether the police will find a victim or a survivor when they arrive.