How to secure the perimeter of your home?

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NoAlibi

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At first I was thinking of fencing, but the kind that would be even marginally effective would be cost prohibitive. Besides there are many ways to defeat a fence.

I have outside quartz security lights, but they are dependent on the power being on or easily shot out with .22 long cb caps that will never be noticed out of a long barreled rifle with a bloop tube on it.

Currently I have several self contained driveway alert devices (Harbor Freight ~ $16.99) covering the perimeter that work well - too well because the deer, possums, racoons, skunks, cats and dogs that frequent our property set them off and there goes another restful night's sleep. I also thought of trip wire, but the critters would probably make this unworkable too.

Any suggestions?
 
Your first one, a fence. Tried and true, short of putting up a moat, some sort of fence has defined and protected perimeters since our furry ancestors dragged the first batch of thorn bushes together to form a kraal.

That being said, you could put a perimeter hedge in place. Preferably thorny.
 
Fence, like HSO said. Requires almost little in the way of thought or upkeep. It is what it is and not the least of which it is PROVEN.
 
I suppose of it could depend on the terrain and neighborhood. You will have to be careful if you are in a crowded environment. Also, look at options as far as using the terrain (woodlines, ponds, etc).
 
You want layers of things to slow intruders down.
The Fence is great, so are the lights. You might want to have someone come out and look and sensitivity and directional settings on them. Usually you can get what you want if you have the time and have an expert show you the first time how it is done.
Thorny bushes are good, however they create shadows that provide concealment if not well illuminated. This can inadvertantly hide an intruder in your yard.
Dogs are great, to some degree even the "Beware of Dog" sign will make someone think twice. Even the right little yappie lap dog can provide early warning.
You can't stop someone who will put forth enough effort to break in. You can only make enough barriers to slow them down so the pay off isnt worth the effort.
 
Its funny someone mentioned perimeter hedge... Just the other day I was driving down the interstate and noticed how there were several areas of the chain link perimeter fence where small trees and hedges have grown around creating a thick, and hard to cross barrier. I couldn't help but ponder the effectiveness of a hedge with a fence in the middle...
 
P95loser said:
Its funny someone mentioned perimeter hedge... Just the other day I was driving down the interstate and noticed how there were several areas of the chain link perimeter fence where small trees and hedges have grown around creating a thick, and hard to cross barrier. I couldn't help but ponder the effectiveness of a hedge with a fence in the middle...
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking, at least a hedge on the outside. It can look good and be functional. It might be a little work to keep it maintained, but is that such a high price to pay for a little security? For the hedge, blackberry, pyracantha, or any nice and thorny plant would work well.

As Averageman said, layers. This accomplishes one of two purposes, it convinces the would be thief that the trouble and risk outweighs the potential reward, or it gives you valuable time to react to the very determined attacker that is trying to break in.
 
My fences are covered in Poison ivy. It wasn't at all intentional, and actually we're trying to remove it, but I pity the fool who climbs my fence.

You could always make your house look like an overgrown, run-down shack. Seems to be working for me so far. Though I doubt many criminals are out casing the highway. Just saying.
 
One idea I'd like to try is motion activated sprinklers (using the ones that spray a lot of water very far)....generally people get discouraged when drenched like that.

Use that with the fence/briars to really discourage those intruders.

Add in motion activated lights and they'll more than likely take off a wet, scraped and sore individual.
 
Expecting trouble...

I should have mentioned that I am expecting trouble. My “problem” was arrested and convicted and we’re almost done with the civil liability suit. I’m anticipating a jury award. and since this jerk is a hot-head who believes that the rules were not meant for him (that’s what got him in trouble in the first place.), I expect an attempt at retribution soon after the judgement.

Fences can be cut or climbed over and even though it would slow someone down, a short delay in the middle of the night would probably not deter him/them from proceeding to the house. I don’t know what to expect - vandalism at the least and who knows what at the worst.

What I’m looking for is not impenetrability, but enough time to awaken, get my senses together, get armed and locate the intruder(s). I was trained to do both daytime and nighttime land based interdictions and I also have much experience carrying them out. Calling the police is not an option for resolution because of the response time in this rural area - the chances of them doing any good is slim to none.

I like the idea of a dog, but since my fiancee and I travel a lot it would mean more effort and expense to care for it than I would want to do or expose the dog to.

Got anything else besides a fence, a dog or a moat??? :scrutiny:
 
A combination of perimeter motion detectors tied into an audible alarm for inside the house would work.

Use the auto turret with video to tracks the scumbag. and you will be where he tries to come in.
 
Motion detectors with alerts/alarms/sirens. And sleep with your self-defense firearm beside you.
 
Some of our video recorders have motion detection built in. They also have a sensitivity setting. Also, can select area of image to detect. These are not expensive options. They came with an affordable recorder. Our restaurant employees know when someone is around the corner. They alarm sets off an audible 5 second beep. And can setup up recorder to only record with motion.
 
The guy who suggested sprinklers had his mind in the right place, although this is an expensive option. Getting soaked can be VERY demoralizing, to the individual who can afford it, this is a great addition to the repertoire.

Really though, If you wanted to get a little extra paranoid, its not hard to jury rig a car alarm on your exterior doors or windows, this will give you a great wake up call.

Another option is the tried an tested primitive method of taking those cheap firecrackers that have a string on both end, and taping one end to your door jamb, and one end to the door itself.
 
Fence, thick shrub, external motion sensor lights, and security camera coupled with shatter proof windows, thick solid doors, multiple heavy locks, and an interior alarm that can operate wirelessly.

I would also second the dog if it was a possibility.
 
Cameras outside to catch him if he tries just vandalism. Harden the house so A. it's slow to get in & B. you hear him coming. Call the cops even if they won't get there in time so you can document that you're acting in self defense.
 
Been there done that!

Lots of good suggestions here. I went through exactly the same situation two years ago with a neighbor, two suggestions.

If your problem person lives nearby and you are rural enough that you can shoot on your property: target practice often, especially when he is at home.

If you have a lot of scrub vegetation on your property, cut all that you can and make brush piles around the perimeter instead of fences or hedges. The looser the stacking the better. It is almost impossible to climb over (assuming 3' high and 3' wide) and it makes a lot of noise with the cracking limbs, etc.

Good luck, prayer always helps.
 
Preliminary decision

If someone causes me harm I want the ability to prosecute them, so... Game Cameras - ordered.

The house has fire and intrusion alarms, but I don’t want to depend on them because they may not give me enough time to prepare for a conflict. So, all roads lead back to a fence.

While full grown foliage fences could be very effective and still aesthetically pleasing they would be cost prohibitive for me and seedlings would be painfully slow in growing to an effective size. So, I’m going to put up a 5 foot high chain link fence to take care of the critter problem and not necessarily to deter entry (see post #1). I will beef up the self contained motion detectors in my yard (the receivers are also self contained) because if the fence does a reasonable job keeping the critters out any movement on the inside of the perimeter would most likely be a perp. I will plant seedlings along the fence and in time they will hopefully restore the aesthetics.

Thanks to everyone who participated because the input certainly affected my decision - NoAlibi

PS - I am still open to suggestions.
 
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Your fence will not keep the bad guy out. It will however keep the big dog in who will keep the bad guy out. Fence and dog its and old answer and works. Even if the dog is not mean they will bark at anyone and alert you. :)
 
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