Call police first, do not enter until cleared, photograph all damage for insurance, then call a locksmith to secure the door the same day. Full security overhaul runs $350-$500.
Nobody expects it until it happens. You come home, the door frame is splintered, and your stomach drops. We get these calls regularly — from apartments on Santa Rosa Avenue, homes in the West End, and businesses on Fourth Street. The first few hours matter, both for the police report and for securing the door before nightfall.
Step 1: Call the Police First
Do not go inside until the police clear the home. The intruder could still be inside. Call 911, wait outside or at a neighbor's house, and let the officers do a walkthrough. Once they clear the home, walk through with them and note what is missing or damaged. You will need the police report number for your insurance claim. In unincorporated Sonoma County areas like Graton or Penngrove, the Sheriff's department handles these calls.
Step 2: Document Everything Before Touching Anything
Take photos of the damaged door, frame, lock, and any other entry points before cleaning up. Photograph the strike plate, the deadbolt, and the area where force was applied. Your insurance adjuster will want these. If a window was broken, photograph it from both sides. Keep a list of stolen items with approximate values. File the insurance claim within 48 hours if possible.
Step 3: Secure the Entry Point Immediately
Call a locksmith to secure the damaged door the same day. Do not sleep in a home with a compromised entry point. We carry replacement deadbolts, strike plates, and door reinforcement kits on every van. Common repairs after a break-in: replace the splintered door frame, install a new Grade 1 deadbolt, add a door reinforcement plate, and secure the strike plate with 3-inch screws. If the door itself is cracked or warped, we install a temporary solution while you order a replacement door. We can usually have a break-in door secured within 2 hours of your call.
Step 4: Upgrade to Prevent a Repeat
Break-in victims in Sonoma County are statistically more likely to be targeted again within 6 months. The intruder now knows the layout of your home. Upgrades that stop a second attempt: a Grade 1 deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate (the single most effective upgrade), 3-inch screws on every hinge and strike plate, a door reinforcement kit (wraps the entire door edge), a security bar on the sliding glass door, and motion-activated exterior lighting. We also recommend rekeying every lock in the house — if the intruder took keys, they have access. Total cost for a full security overhaul on a 3-door home is typically $350 to $500 depending on hardware choices. Call (707) 775-7069 for a same-day assessment.