Jenifer Lewis of Winthrop, ME As I read some of the responses, I'm reminded of something that is a sad thing to contemplate: we are at greatest risk not from an unknown "other" but from people we know.

"Home invasions" are usually committed by people who have been welcomed into the house before, just as the sexual abuse of children most often comes at the hands of relatives or family friends, people with whom the children felt safe, and just as women are most at risk for violent crime from their boyfriends and husbands.

This may not be what we want to believe, but for the sake of ourselves and our loved ones, we must not let our reluctance to face unpleasant facts obscure our better judgement.

The Guerrette family have been through a horrific ordeal and the scars (both physical and psychic) will be with them in one way or another for the rest of their lives. It took unimaginable courage for them to be where they are today, and I wish them all the best as they "move forward."report abuse

Pinecone of China, ME 50 home invasions a year since 2002? Reader, where do you get your statistics? Seriously, do you really need to hype this fear up any more?report abuse

kat powers of scarborough, ME It was such a pleasure to get to know the Guerrette family. I feel I have made some life long friends. Nikki's courage and spunk inspires me and the glue that holds that family together is amazing. I truelly was the one who recived the gift through the process of providing a new space for them to move back to. Wonderful, amazing people.report abuse

StarRider of Augusta, ME All it will take to turn the tide is for a few cretins like those two to get blown away by someone defending his house and family.

I will defend my home against invasion and if the creep falls back out the door when my 12 gauge lets loose on him, I will make sure he's back in the house when Augusta PD shows up.report abuse