In a report for Monday’s NBC Today, correspondent Jeff Rossen touted a “rare jailhouse interview” with a convicted burglar to offer tips to viewers on how to prevent a home invasion. However, even as the incarcerated criminal explained that traditional methods such as security alarms and cameras were poor deterrents, Rossen failed to inquire about homeowners using firearms in self defense.
Rossen began the segment by proclaiming: “Shocking video of brazen thieves caught in the act. Walking up to houses in broad daylight. Ransacking homes. Watch as these robbers even tip-toe around sleeping children. Homeowners left terrified.” One unidentified victim shared her harrowing experience: “Another guy came out with a big crowbar, swinging at me. We're all lucky to be alive at this point.” Rossen wondered: “So how do you protect yourself?”
During a sit-down prison interview, convicted thief Nicholas Kyriazis told Rossen that he once left a home after being unexpectedly confronted by the homeowner: “I did a burglary. And while I was in the house, the lady walked in the house and I said, ‘I’m sorry, I got the wrong house.’ And I walked out with nothing.” The reporter followed up: “Is that a burglar's worst nightmare, coming face-to-face with somebody?” Kyriazis replied: “A person coming home, yeah.”
Rossen noted that a recent survey of other convicted burglar found “75% of the thieves...say they’d leave immediately if they discovered someone was home.” He then pressed Kyriazis on the effectiveness of various home security measures:
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ROSSEN: So, do alarm systems work?
KYRIAZIS: No. Alarm system alerts me that the people are not home, when the alarm is turned on.
ROSSEN: But if it's going off, aren't you worried about the cops coming?
KYRIAZIS: No. Because you're just going in for like a minute or two. You’re grabbing the jewelry and you’re running. You're getting out of there. You're not hanging around, waiting for the police.
ROSSEN: He says he doesn't worry about home security cameras, either.
KYRIAZIS: Just put a mask on so that the camera can't get your face. Or put your arm up and black your face.
ROSSEN: Wouldn't keep you away?
KYRIAZIS: No. People who’ve got money for security cameras, they’ve got something in there they're protecting.
ROSSEN: Even the old lights on a timer trick, thieves are on to it. A whopping 73% saying that wouldn't stop them, either.
After Kyriazis noted that neighborhood watch programs were usually a good deterrent, Rossen added: “By the way, dogs can be effective, too. That inmate telling us hearing a dog barking through the door would give him pause. And experts agree, dogs are a great deterrent.”
Despite going through a list of ways to protect oneself against a break-in, owning a gun was never mentioned. In fact, Rossen concluded the report by warning viewers: “...if you come face-to-face with one of these guys....Don't fight back, call 911 immediately. Because that can make things worse.”
Avoiding the subject of guns when reporting on home defense has become a pattern with Rossen. Just back in November, while doing a story on “stopping dangerous attackers,” the Today show correspondent focused on smart phone apps rather than firearms. In 2014, Rossen suggested using bug spray or activating your car alarm to fend off intruders.
Here are excerpts from the March 6 report:
7:41 AM ET
(...)
JEFF ROSSEN: We all think we're doing the right thing, right? We go buy security cameras for our house, expensive alarm systems, we even put our lights on timers when we're away. But does any of that actually scare the burglars away? This morning, we have a rare jailhouse interview with a guy who knows because he was the burglar. Now, he's telling all so you aren't a victim, too.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Burglars Tell All; Revealing Secrets to Protect Your Family and House]
Shocking video of brazen thieves caught in the act. Walking up to houses in broad daylight. Ransacking homes. Watch as these robbers even tip-toe around sleeping children. Homeowners left terrified.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Another guy came out with a big crowbar, swinging at me. We're all lucky to be alive at this point.
ROSSEN: So how do you protect yourself? And what's making your home a target? To find out, we're inside the New Jersey state prison, maximum security. Meeting Nicholas Kyriazis, he’s serving a 70-year prison sentence for a string of home invasions.
(...)
NICHOLAS KYRIAZIS: I did a burglary. And while I was in the house, the lady walked in the house and I said, “I’m sorry, I got the wrong house.” And I walked out with nothing.
ROSSEN: Is that a burglar's worst nightmare, coming face-to-face with somebody?
KYRIAZIS: A person coming home, yeah.
ROSSEN: In fact, 75% of the thieves surveyed say they’d leave immediately if they discovered someone was home. So, do alarm systems work?
KYRIAZIS: No. Alarm system alerts me that the people are not home, when the alarm is turned on.
ROSSEN: But if it's going off, aren't you worried about the cops coming?
KYRIAZIS: No. Because you're just going in for like a minute or two. You’re grabbing the jewelry and you’re running. You're getting out of there. You're not hanging around, waiting for the police.
ROSSEN: He says he doesn't worry about home security cameras, either.
KYRIAZIS: Just put a mask on so that the camera can't get your face. Or put your arm up and black your face.
ROSSEN: Wouldn't keep you away?
KYRIAZIS: No. People who’ve got money for security cameras, they’ve got something in there they're protecting.
ROSSEN: Even the old lights on a timer trick, thieves are on to it. A whopping 73% saying that wouldn't stop them, either.
(...)
ROSSEN: By the way, dogs can be effective, too. That inmate telling us hearing a dog barking through the door would give him pause. And experts agree, dogs are a great deterrent. But either way, if you come face-to-face with one of these guys – you were just saying 75% said they’d run away if they saw somebody home – you said, “it's the other 25 – ”
GUTHRIE: Yeah, it’s the 25% you really worry about.
ROSSEN: Don't fight back, call 911 immediately. Because that can make things worse.
(...)
