In my big fireproof gun safe.

I'm writing all of this down.

The thing to remember about any hiding or security place, its all about time.   Any safe can be opened if one has enough time.  

Unless a burglar is either high as a kite or thinks he has some reason to believe there's no way anyone saw him break in, he will try to hold his time to pretty close to police response times.  Now that being said, he can do an amazing amount of hunting and finding in that ten to fifteen minutes.  

Most commons are in underwear drawers (behind the drawers for things taped), between bed mattresses or under the bed (simple throw it off look and look for holes or cuts into them), under tables (just chuck it over look and look for taped things), and especially in freezers a favorite hiding spot of pot smokers, which brings up fake cans which is another favorite hiding spot of druggies.  Insulation pieces in say a closet with an attic door is like a big sign that says, "BINGO!"

When figuring your hiding/safe times think rip and tear, not don't break and replace.  That burglars going to rip things out and anything worth a quick knock over and fast look while walking by, "Why not?".  

Order of priority for them is drugs, cash, and then guns or pawn material.  

Time is what its all about and a better policy than a good safe or a good hiding place is deterrence.  We often talk of dogs and alarms so I won't go there.  Just as important if not more is not holding to a predictable schedule.  Now, of course, we can't all manage to have someone home all the time but we can vary discretionary travel and make our places look like someone is there when we do leave. Christmas light timers, loud TVs, lights, having two cars alternation leaving one in the drive, you guys know all of these.  What I can add is as you drive look at the houses you pass.  Note the one's you can instantly go, "They're not home" just by looking.  Don't be that guy.  Next, get to know your neighbors.  Advise them of your routines and get them use to looking after your place.  Tell them when you leave and when you get back.  Its a simple call and have them call you when something is different, anything.  Thank them, even if its that's strange car is my sisters.  This is the day of cells.  If they can't reach you, advise them to call the police.  

Of all the people I have known who have been robbed, I'd say 80% were people who knew of them, not necessarily know them but know someone who knows them.  Do with that information as you may but I find a Popeye approach, "I am who I am" and crazy Tj has a gun and damn sure will shoot you combined with he's tight as hell with his neighbors to work better than the "Hermit" in the city.  If you are lucky enough to live in an area that crime is reported, use it regularly and tighten security as your risk increases.  

I practice all of these and then some.  In 20 years almost all of my neighbors have been hit at least once.  I haven't.  I do it all from gun rep to three barking dogs and from security lights to making my place always look occupied.

This last advice is the hardest for some people.  Don't be the asshole.  He's the one with the big target on his back that says "Rob Me".  You don't have to be a push over just don't be mean and leave revenge to God.  A polite man telling someone they're going to blow their friggen head off scares people way more than angry Joe.

Tj