Home Security

[TXHORNS]

I love these discussion because they make me feel less crazy. I have a high dollar alarm with signs, guns, back up guns, 3 dogs, and other fancy stuff. But my viewpoint is that crooks are cowards who avoid confrontation if possible. I like to leave my garden house unraveled out in the front yard, or some kids toys out front. Anything to say that people are here and watching.

What you say? Crooks only attack at night! My neighbor 2 doors down was broken into at 1 pm, brood daylight. 5 dudes kicked down the door cause they knew no one was home so I like to give the illusion that someone is home at all times. And if they do bust in while you are there, may god have mercy on their soul.

 

[travellingJeff]

I like having spiny plants under my windows. I trim them about 6" short of the bottom of the window so that no ne`er`do well could use the bit of cover to try to jimmy the windows. I also have steel rebar pieces cut to length that I put in the jam of the windows to prevent them from opening even if force is applied.

 

[TXHORNS]

I also have rose bushes in front of my windows that face the street.

 

[jdn]

Our dog is very vigilant and barks at any unusual noise outside or inside. He’s an integral part of my HD program. However I agree that you should not get a dog unless you really want one as a pet. They are a lot of work and responsibility. However, instead of getting a dog you can make it seem as though you have one. At a Block Watch meeting one Police Officer recommended this for non-dog owners: Buy the largest dog food bowl you can find and leave it outside where it can be seen. Ask a dog owning friend for some used, preferably large, chewed up chew-toys and leave them around the yard or on the porch. Put up a “beware of dog” sign. As someone stated the goal is to make your house less inviting than others on your block. Little things like this may make a thief move on to the next home.

 

[mbt2001]

Most of the break in type activity in MOST neighborhoods are kids that live in the area. Recently, my parents (they live in an up scale neighborhood) had their garage (detached) broken into and someone stole my pops table saw. It turned out to have been some people that were renting a house nearby and worked the system to stay why they did not pay rent and while they scoped who had the best crap to steal. They confined themselves mostly to garages taking high end tools. Which, if you start thinking about it, was exceptionally smart.

 

[Renigeid]

Guys, I guess I am a little paranoid.

I have an alarm system (fire and breach) that covers all doors, windows and my unattached shop. I also have outside motion lights. I also have a "big dog" 115 pounds that is also my best buddy. In addition, I use "new York" blocks on all doors at night (Made by Master).

My second line of defense is in the bed room. One 12 ga /8 rds/000 buck attached to the side of the bed. One 45 ACP with lazer and 8 rounds of 230 gr Gold Dot attached to the side of the bed. One AK with a 30 round mag under my side of the bed. My carry piece (9mm S&W 3913) with 9 157 gr gold dots and an extra mag by it in my bed stand. My "BUG" (9mm PM9) with 7 rounds of 147 gr Gold Dot and an extra mag with 7 rds in the night stand.

Now on my wife's side. She has a S&W 22 mag revolver with 7 rds , a Walther P22 (10 rds) with lazer and a S&W mod 60 38 spl with lazer sights loaded with 157 gr Gold dots. In addition, 2 Surefire flash lights.

Yeah, I said I was paranoid but I've managed to live nearly 74 years and have crossed some bad spots in that time frame where I am positive that if a firearm had not been in my possession.......................................I and my wife would not be here. would not be here.

OH! I also have guinnees outside. Great watch birds. )


Happy hunting guys. Jim

 

[lebowski]

What's a New York block? Link?

I tried a google search w/ no luck.

 

[Fred Fuller]

What's a New York block?

Probably a brace bar, or the old Fox Police Lock. It's kind of a New York thing, apparently.

Still Barring the Door
Q. Among the many old locks, deadbolts and metal plates encrusted on the front door of my apartment is a metal slot for an old ''police lock.'' It occurs to me that I haven't actually seen one in use for years. Have they become a thing of the past?

A. ''I still keep them in stock,'' said John Littlejohn, manager of Abbey Locksmiths at East 81st Street and Second Avenue for 30 years. ''But sales have been fading for the past 20 years.''

Mr. Littlejohn said that police locks were designed to be used with wooden doors, but that with the steel or steel-framed doors now in common use, ''you don't need that kind of lock.'' The locks use a heavy rolled-steel bar; one end is set in a floor socket while the other is locked into a metal box attached to the door. A door thus equipped could withstand all but the most formidable assaults, short of outright demolition.

The first brace-type police locks were manufactured by the Fox Police Lock Company of New York about 1907, to the designs of Emiel R. Fox, a former night watchman. Gene Skratt, owner of Fox, has said the locks took their name from an old police procedure used to secure damaged doors after a burglary, when a 2-by-4 was set across the gap between the door and a piece of wood nailed into the floor. The locks were sold almost exclusively in and around New York City. Other brands, like Magic Eye and Parker, appeared later, Mr. Littlejohn said.

Although they are still being manufactured, the locks are bought as a kind of living nostalgia item. ''I've sold two in the past year,'' Mr. Littlejohn said. ''Both were for movie sets.'' -- http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/11/n.../Reference/Times+Topics/Subjects/W/Warehouses

lpl

 

[JMusic]

There is too much glass around the house to worry about locks except the safe room. Think what you would want between your family and the bad guys. You can use a two by four wedged under the lock is a good reinforcement. tell my people if you are in the safe room and they start kicking the door fire a few rounds in that direction. Musts are weapon celphone and delay at the door. This I not PC but they better hope I'm not home the security defense would soon become offensive. Be smart, you know your home better than anyone else. Use suttle lighting such as night lights. Consider anyone in your house at night life threatining. Make sure it is a break in and not your brother in law.

Advise your family to keep door wedged and dial 911. If someone starts to hit the door give one warning and then shoot where you see the impact right through the door.


Jim

 

[Carne Frio]

Here is an item for when no one is at home:
http://www.flashfogsecurity.com/

 

[coloradokevin]

Here is an item for when no one is at home:
http://www.flashfogsecurity.com/

I'll hand it to that company for innovation, but that thing is just plain goofy! The hype aside, I wonder if it would be effective in the real world? I could see it detering some burglars, but I could also see others just laughing at the thing...

 

[AStone]

The terrifyingly bright strobe light hits him 12 times per second, forcing his eyes into constant shock.

OK, so I install this in my studio.

At 3 am, I'm awakened by bumps on the outer wall, and a breaking glass.

I get up, call 911, then peer out of the safe room to see what's up and get hit by a 12 Hz stobe in thick fog.

Mean while, some dude has just enough time to snatch my {insert object sitting near door downstairs} and get out.

Naw. Just gimme a flashlight and a carbine.

 

[dkk73]

Here is an item for when no one is at home:
http://www.flashfogsecurity.com/

That is absolutely hilarious.

Just add a disco ball and some Bee Gees.