Heavy bars and grilles in windows and very strong doors were
a feature of architecture, especially urban architecture,
in europe and the near east for many many centuries.. While
in america there is not really an architectural vernacular for
such features, in the old world, such a thing wouldn't even
look out of place. Before street lighting was common, even
rather affluent parts of cities were pretty rife with
petty thefts, burglaries, robberies, and so on.

Yes, one of the things I noticed and really came to appreciate and love during my stay in France were the real working shutters on every window. These were designed to open and shut from the inside, thus providing both a degree of insulation & energy conservation and also a very effective degree of security. I suppose they could be designed (and some maybe were) so even the hinge pins were not accessible from the outside. That would not be enough to stop a rampaging mob (although even during Paris riots and revolutions, shuttered houses are usually left alone). It would be enough to deter all but the most determined intruder.

Standard on the majority of New Orleans homes. The owner can prepare for a hurricane in ten minutes (instead of plywood screwed in place, damaging the wood work).

Two types; batten (wood planks, cheap) and louvered (ley air and light filter in).

Best Hopes,

Alan