johnbmwe34
member
At least minimize the possibilities?
I just found out that my friend house got robbed. What is the best way to watch4 or?
- Thread starter johnbmwe34
- Start date
- Status
cratz2
Member
Get a dog.
If in the city, have the exterior well lt.
Try to not have expensive things visible through the windows.
We just moved to a country location, well, a large area of about 300 nice homes on 2 - 5 acre lots and three homes have been broken into in the last two weeks. Hope they don't try it here... just might a suprise.
If in the city, have the exterior well lt.
Try to not have expensive things visible through the windows.
We just moved to a country location, well, a large area of about 300 nice homes on 2 - 5 acre lots and three homes have been broken into in the last two weeks. Hope they don't try it here... just might a suprise.
ocabj
Member
You should have a decent alarm system. Door and window contacts aren't as effective since most houses have numerous windows and doors. Indoor motion sensors are the best since you can cover a wider area that you can with one door/window contact sensor. I'd definitely use door contact sensors for your garage side door to the backyard (assuming you have one) and possibly even the garage door.
I haven't invested in a camera system yet, but there are many out there that are half decent. At last year's Comdex in Las Vegas, I saw one that was around $500 which offered you a four camera system that could be managed by your computer. You could also look into getting a 48hour time lapse VCR and a few stationairy cameras which should be a small investment.
This all helps for when you're not home. Outdoor lights activated by motion sensors will help when you are home (and even when you are not). A dog would definitely be a plus, since when you are at home and arm your house, motion sensors for the alarm system won't trigger since it expects movement.
Personally, I'm more concerned on what happens when I'm not home. At least if I'm home, I can defend myself, my family, and my property. If no one's home, you're left to fend for your property relying on some electronics and police response time.
I haven't invested in a camera system yet, but there are many out there that are half decent. At last year's Comdex in Las Vegas, I saw one that was around $500 which offered you a four camera system that could be managed by your computer. You could also look into getting a 48hour time lapse VCR and a few stationairy cameras which should be a small investment.
This all helps for when you're not home. Outdoor lights activated by motion sensors will help when you are home (and even when you are not). A dog would definitely be a plus, since when you are at home and arm your house, motion sensors for the alarm system won't trigger since it expects movement.
Personally, I'm more concerned on what happens when I'm not home. At least if I'm home, I can defend myself, my family, and my property. If no one's home, you're left to fend for your property relying on some electronics and police response time.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
- 22,513
Generally they will return to get what they didn't get the first time. Get a dog is the best. First layer of defense is the nosy neighbor. Second is the gates, bars, door locks and laminate coating (shatterguard) on windows. The third is an intrusion system hooked up to the entry points. The fourth (if there is no dog) is motion sensors that sweep the room, hallways and entrypoints (defeated if there's a dog running loose in the house). The third and fourth must be supported by a monitored phone line. However, if the burg. knows to cut the phone line, opps. The next interior system is a safe. Last is the homeowner with a gun & a cell phone.
A dog is a great deterent. If the neighborhood allows you to fence your yard I'd put up a nice fence that would also keep the dog in, get an indoor/outdoor dog and an indoor companion dog that are compatable, set up a nice BIG dog house that can be just seen from the street/road, install motion sensor lights that face the house and out into the approaches to the house, and have a monitored alarm system installed with a nice sign on the front of the fence. An alarm company can install the system in a few days, the fence company can install a chainlink in less than a day and a nicer ornamental in a few days, and the alarm installers can recommend an electrician to instal the lights. Check with a vet for the breeds that will serve as good alert dogs (you don't want a dog that barks at every little thing, but will let you know that someone is on your property) in both large and house sizes that will get along.
Swamp Yankee
Member
Suggest contacting local Police Dept.
Most will do a cursary security check for you and provide a list of modifications and recommendations to you. Depending upon how busy they are, and with cut backs most are overworked, it may take a little time for them to get to you.
Keep in mind that most crooks want to be in and out as fast as they can and make as little noise as possible obtaining entry. Anything you do to slow them down will send them looking for an easier target.
Some inexpensive things you can do on your own include:
Installing deadbolts. If a door window can be broken and the deadbolt worked go to double key lock deadbolts. Changing locks is always a good idea after a burgulary or when moving into a new place.
Install stops on the windows so they will only open half way.
As previously mentioned get motion sensing floodlights.
Lights, TV's and radios on timers.
Cut back any shrubs and bushes from around the house.
If you have a neighbor(s) you trust (like me) let them know when you will be away. Most will be happy to pick up mail and keep an eye on things.
Take Care
Most will do a cursary security check for you and provide a list of modifications and recommendations to you. Depending upon how busy they are, and with cut backs most are overworked, it may take a little time for them to get to you.
Keep in mind that most crooks want to be in and out as fast as they can and make as little noise as possible obtaining entry. Anything you do to slow them down will send them looking for an easier target.
Some inexpensive things you can do on your own include:
Installing deadbolts. If a door window can be broken and the deadbolt worked go to double key lock deadbolts. Changing locks is always a good idea after a burgulary or when moving into a new place.
Install stops on the windows so they will only open half way.
As previously mentioned get motion sensing floodlights.
Lights, TV's and radios on timers.
Cut back any shrubs and bushes from around the house.
If you have a neighbor(s) you trust (like me) let them know when you will be away. Most will be happy to pick up mail and keep an eye on things.
Take Care
Awesome posts so far.
Also, we just bought two motion sensing lights to replace our front and back porch lights. Installation is easy if your place is prewired. The motion sensing lights came with an indoor chime that beeps to alert you that the light has been tripped. The lights are very bright too and it would be silly to think a thief would want to screw around in glaringly bright light like that.
We had some plants stolen from out front yard, and this is why we bought the lights.
Also we have an alarm system with contacts on all the doors and glassbreaks positioned where the windows are. One glassbreak will cover all the windows. For the windows, we have small locking slides that clamp onto the lower rail/track that the window slides on. Thus, if the window is forced violently open, the glassbreak will be cracked. Possible to defeat this with a screwdriver or prybar (remove window from track) but it's a good start. I think it's tough to deter a determined thief. Dog is a great idea, but a LOT of responsibility and it's tough for us to take care of one on our 7-4 schedule... I'm not too keen on keeping a dog outside in the desert where it can reach 120 in the summer. Once we can build a patio cover, having a dog will become more possible.
cheers
Also, we just bought two motion sensing lights to replace our front and back porch lights. Installation is easy if your place is prewired. The motion sensing lights came with an indoor chime that beeps to alert you that the light has been tripped. The lights are very bright too and it would be silly to think a thief would want to screw around in glaringly bright light like that.
We had some plants stolen from out front yard, and this is why we bought the lights.
Also we have an alarm system with contacts on all the doors and glassbreaks positioned where the windows are. One glassbreak will cover all the windows. For the windows, we have small locking slides that clamp onto the lower rail/track that the window slides on. Thus, if the window is forced violently open, the glassbreak will be cracked. Possible to defeat this with a screwdriver or prybar (remove window from track) but it's a good start. I think it's tough to deter a determined thief. Dog is a great idea, but a LOT of responsibility and it's tough for us to take care of one on our 7-4 schedule... I'm not too keen on keeping a dog outside in the desert where it can reach 120 in the summer. Once we can build a patio cover, having a dog will become more possible.
cheers
BevrFevr
Member
Hang a couple of crack heads from the tree in the front yard and leave em there. Throw in a meth addict or two for good measure.
Dogs aren't too good of an idea. The meth fiends I used to work with loved to find attack dogs in the houses they robbed. They would steal the dogs and put them in dog fights to make even more money. Sick Bastards! Hard way for a good pet to go. Don't think your pit bull or rotty won't be stolen, it happens every day.
I'm glad I don't work construction anymore so I don't have to be around the scum.
Oops! back on subject. If you just moved in change all the locks. I mean every last one. I don't care if the house is brand new. Make sure all of your windows and doors are not obscured from view. It only takes about three seconds with a good crow bar to open virtually any door in America.
Get to know your neighbors, and get them to like you! keep an eye on every teen age boy in the neighborhood. Even the clean cut ones can be hiding an addiction that needs feeding.
Convince the neighbors that don't like you that you are totally f'n crazy!
By a good alarm system.
Keep your garage door closed!
Know who your kids friends are.
Do not leave boxes for new goodies out i front of your house. It tells a theif "Hey we have brand new stuff for you to steal".
Video tape and insure all of your valuables and store both in a safe deposit box.
Guns in a big heavy gun vault.
good luck.
-bevr
Dogs aren't too good of an idea. The meth fiends I used to work with loved to find attack dogs in the houses they robbed. They would steal the dogs and put them in dog fights to make even more money. Sick Bastards! Hard way for a good pet to go. Don't think your pit bull or rotty won't be stolen, it happens every day.
I'm glad I don't work construction anymore so I don't have to be around the scum.
Oops! back on subject. If you just moved in change all the locks. I mean every last one. I don't care if the house is brand new. Make sure all of your windows and doors are not obscured from view. It only takes about three seconds with a good crow bar to open virtually any door in America.
Get to know your neighbors, and get them to like you! keep an eye on every teen age boy in the neighborhood. Even the clean cut ones can be hiding an addiction that needs feeding.
Convince the neighbors that don't like you that you are totally f'n crazy!
By a good alarm system.
Keep your garage door closed!
Know who your kids friends are.
Do not leave boxes for new goodies out i front of your house. It tells a theif "Hey we have brand new stuff for you to steal".
Video tape and insure all of your valuables and store both in a safe deposit box.
Guns in a big heavy gun vault.
good luck.
-bevr
Well, some good contributions so far, but I can add a couple of suggestions.
-security film and/or shatter proof windows. Getting a good security film can both save on heat, and make it harder to break in. Something tougher like polycarbonate or a good acrylic of some sort over windows that might give easy access to a door lock. Time an attention are a factor. Not to mention most crooks don't bring a variety of tools with them.
-ditch your friends that do drugs or gamble a lot. They consume a lot of money not necessarily in large doses. Thus stealing your stuff and selling it may look attractive and easy.
-get to know your neighbors, but tyr to get an idea about their lifestyle before you invite them over to inventory your stuff lest you create the above category.
-mix up your schedule as much as you can. Things like coming home for lunch randomly, using flex time if you have it to change when you come and go for work. Take the occasional sick day even if you aren't sick. etc. It's not the easiest thing to do, but trust me, the idiot teenage kids others have mentioned know the neighborhoods schedule so they can get away with stuff other than breaking into your house.
-soemthing I fortunately haven't had to test. sacrifical items. I keep my CD and DVD collection which is largely very replaceable out in the open near the likely entrance. It's light, but bulks, and easily turned into cash. They can either make off with it quickly and sell it for a few hundred bucks, or they can make multiple trips to get other stuff they will have to work at selling. (or work at removing form the premises)
-security film and/or shatter proof windows. Getting a good security film can both save on heat, and make it harder to break in. Something tougher like polycarbonate or a good acrylic of some sort over windows that might give easy access to a door lock. Time an attention are a factor. Not to mention most crooks don't bring a variety of tools with them.
-ditch your friends that do drugs or gamble a lot. They consume a lot of money not necessarily in large doses. Thus stealing your stuff and selling it may look attractive and easy.
-get to know your neighbors, but tyr to get an idea about their lifestyle before you invite them over to inventory your stuff lest you create the above category.
-mix up your schedule as much as you can. Things like coming home for lunch randomly, using flex time if you have it to change when you come and go for work. Take the occasional sick day even if you aren't sick. etc. It's not the easiest thing to do, but trust me, the idiot teenage kids others have mentioned know the neighborhoods schedule so they can get away with stuff other than breaking into your house.
-soemthing I fortunately haven't had to test. sacrifical items. I keep my CD and DVD collection which is largely very replaceable out in the open near the likely entrance. It's light, but bulks, and easily turned into cash. They can either make off with it quickly and sell it for a few hundred bucks, or they can make multiple trips to get other stuff they will have to work at selling. (or work at removing form the premises)
Baba Louie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,831
Robbed or Burglarized?
Big difference to moi.
You can only keep honest people honest. A Pro is gonna get in, get stuff and get out.
It's the stoned teenage crackhead with a .38 I'd be worried about running into in person.
Or someone that knows about your toys and wants them bad enough. Or has told someone else about your toys...
Some items you can (and should) put in a good safe. Slow em down a bit (maybe).
Material possessions... let em go and replace (your homeowner's or renter's policy does cover that right?). Getting ripped off hurts.
Finding someone commiting a "hot" burglary while you're in the house (or your loved one) is another thing altogether. Getting killed probably hurts worse than getting ripped off.
If you're in England, (Chicago, Wash. DC, etc.) help them load your/their possessions into their getaway car and maybe fix them a spot of tea. This seems to be in keeping with the "Good Form" manner that the "Intelligentsia" and the Police would lately have you provide your guests.
In Texas, you have other choices.
Dogs, Lights, Locks, Screens/barred windows, alarms, neighborhood watch, ask for police drive-bys now and again, a good safe... loaded firearm within reach... sounds about right to me.
Adios
Big difference to moi.
You can only keep honest people honest. A Pro is gonna get in, get stuff and get out.
It's the stoned teenage crackhead with a .38 I'd be worried about running into in person.
Or someone that knows about your toys and wants them bad enough. Or has told someone else about your toys...
Some items you can (and should) put in a good safe. Slow em down a bit (maybe).
Material possessions... let em go and replace (your homeowner's or renter's policy does cover that right?). Getting ripped off hurts.
Finding someone commiting a "hot" burglary while you're in the house (or your loved one) is another thing altogether. Getting killed probably hurts worse than getting ripped off.
If you're in England, (Chicago, Wash. DC, etc.) help them load your/their possessions into their getaway car and maybe fix them a spot of tea. This seems to be in keeping with the "Good Form" manner that the "Intelligentsia" and the Police would lately have you provide your guests.
In Texas, you have other choices.
Dogs, Lights, Locks, Screens/barred windows, alarms, neighborhood watch, ask for police drive-bys now and again, a good safe... loaded firearm within reach... sounds about right to me.
Adios
Get a Lab Retriever
They make great family dogs. They bark at the postman and every other stranger that walks up to the house but they (usually) don't bark non-stop at everything (except squirrels). They aren't a liability like a pit or a rot can be if you don't stay on top of them and their training. A dog won't scare off every BG but you would be surprised at how many people don't dig being around any kind of dog. Great dogs! IMO of course
They make great family dogs. They bark at the postman and every other stranger that walks up to the house but they (usually) don't bark non-stop at everything (except squirrels). They aren't a liability like a pit or a rot can be if you don't stay on top of them and their training. A dog won't scare off every BG but you would be surprised at how many people don't dig being around any kind of dog. Great dogs! IMO of course
billcameron
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2003
- Messages
- 30
Good heavy safe. Bolt it down in addition if on concrete. Put safe where service people will not see if possible- best no one except close friends/family know you have guns, but esp don't let potential BG's see safe and come prepared. I load up my firearms for range visit in my garage that prevents people from see anything.
keyhole
Member
Since most BG's are in a hurry, something Grandma once said, " Don't put all your eggs in one basket". May lose a couple, but takes too long to find them all.
Also agree about " robbery" , and "burglary". Since am LEO, have people misuse term all the time.
Also agree about " robbery" , and "burglary". Since am LEO, have people misuse term all the time.
- Status