Arizona Panic Room Demand Surges After Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case
In the wake of the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, who remains missing nearly a month after being snatched from her Tucson home, terrified Arizona residents are rushing to build panic rooms. This alarming trend highlights growing fears over home invasions and personal safety in the state.
Business Boom for Safe Room Specialists
Kevin Hand, a specialist in break-in-resistant "safe rooms" at Sportsman Steel Safes in Arizona, told the Daily Mail that his business is flooded with calls to quickly install thick steel doors and secret hiding rooms in people's homes. "There has been a huge spike in calls and business since the Guthrie case," Hand said, noting that many people are scared they could be ripped from their beds, never to be seen again, as reported by the New York Post.
Sportsman Steel Safes has installed heavy-duty doors and safe rooms for wealthy clients in Texas and California for decades, but now middle-class families in Arizona have emerged as his newest customers. Consultations are already booked for weeks, indicating a significant shift in demand. The abduction of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show star Savannah Guthrie, has "people thinking, 'What would we do if someone broke in tonight?'" Hand explained.
Features and Costs of Modern Panic Rooms
Hand, whose clients include government officials, said Arizonans are opting to rip up their homes and retrofit rooms with 800-1,000 pound steel doors, often hidden in plain sight, such as inside a walk-in closet. "We make them look just like a regular door. It just looks ordinary; someone wouldn't know it's a panic room from the outside," he described.
Behind these doors, locked by a keypad, is a room lined with thick concrete walls, reinforced with anti-fire and bulletproof material, making it "impossible" for intruders to get in. These rooms can also be used to lock away valuables and firearms. "If you're a relatively high-profile person, there are simple precautions you can take to make your home kidnap-proof, and now everyone is wanting the same," Hand added.
Another panic room builder, Steve Humble, who owns Creative Home Engineering in Arizona, told the Mail that his secret doors cost $1,000, with costs running up to $8,500 for reinforced panels. The process, from measurements to final installation, takes about 90 days. "It's a small price to pay to save your family's life during an armed attack," Humble emphasized.
Background on the Nancy Guthrie Case
Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been kidnapped from her home during the early morning hours of February 1. Despite a massive investigation assisted by the FBI, Guthrie remains missing, and no suspects have been identified nearly one month after her abduction. This unresolved case has fueled widespread anxiety among residents, driving the surge in panic room installations as a preventive measure against similar incidents.
In summary, the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie has triggered a significant increase in demand for panic rooms in Arizona, with businesses experiencing a boom in calls and installations. As fears over home invasions grow, residents are investing in advanced security measures to protect their families and valuables, reflecting a broader concern for safety in the community.
