Home Security System???
 

While I was at work last week I got a call from my neighbor and she told me that someone drove up to my garage, two guys got out; one stood by the vehicle while the other one walked down and went inside my garage. He was only inside long enough to see all of my tools and toys, then they left. Several thoughts are passing through my mind but two are the most obvious; I should have never left the side door unlocked and more importantly, I'm pretty damn lucky that they didn't take anything. The bad side is now the thieves have reconed the contents of my garage and I'm sure their not going to wait too long before they return. I'm also lucky that my neighbor is home most of the time during the day but I cannot rely on them to protect my home while we're away.

My house is about 20 years old and the old security system needs to be replaced ( don't have coverage inside the garage). I called two security companies and received quotes from both, but my initial assessment of the quotes is that both are high ($1500 +/-). They both suggested that I replace all of the hardware (main panel, sensors, etc.) and they also agreed to use the existing wiring. The monthly monitoring ranges in cost from out $25 (my Army buddy gave me a discount on the service) to $45 with the the nationally recognized outfit. `

With all of that said, I like to hear your experiences with security systems and local/national security companies.......good, bad, or coyote ugly.

Can you work from home during the day?

Obviously, lock your door. Consider reinforcing it. Menard's and Sam's sell some cheap security video recorder equipment. Can you move some valuable stuff to a more secure area?

If it were me, I'd be tempted to leave a note...

I had a thread about this subject (without my place being cased) not too long ago. I'll try to find it.

I think the idea is that the big companies (you know, you see the TV commercials) are not that good, something smaller and local is better. If I were you assuming your old alarm still works, I'd try to see if I could find someone to add an extra sensor or two (assuming you don't think you can do it yourself) ASAP. That should be enough of a deterent to give you a little more time to find the "right" deal.

My previous thread from this past Aug.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/491979-home-security-alarms-thoughts.html

You could always get a big, mean dog...

We had an unwanted 3am test of our alarm (monitored) a few months back. One of the exterior window sensors tripped and we ended up leaving the alarm sounding until the cops arrived, since it did not 'feel' like a typical false alarm (no wind, rain, animals etc.)

Glad to know the system works although I also had my Glock in hand (before the cops arrived) just in case...

A lot of the new stuff is totally wireless......can't really get around motion sensors either if they're properly placed.
Wireless sytems can be installed in a short time and work well....
Our shop has about 16 wireless motion sensors plus wireless door sensors and we've never had any issues......we also have battery backup should someone cut the buildings power (which has happened).....not sure how much it cost, I'm sure more than a few grand.....

http://www.abouttimecanecorso.com/im...itySystem1.jpg

About Time Cane Corso Italiano - Security and Protection

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Voice Activated and Controlled.
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Easy to Understand System Instructions.
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Simple and easy to use operation.
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No keypads to punch and codes to remember.
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Completely Wireless Security System!
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Comes with a variety of audible signals to alert you to emergency conditions.
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Responds instantly to any type of emergency (fire, intrusion or personal).
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Portable Personal Security System.
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Simple, Clean, Fast Installation!
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Funny you mention it.........I did leave a note on the side door. It said "We know who you are (driving a Ford Expedition) so you need to move on. There is nothing inside this garage or house worth dieing for."

Not sure if the note would do any good, but at least they'll know someone/something was watching them while they were scoping out my garage. Most of thugs around here are charged up on meth so they might just have a good laugh right before they break into my garage and/or house. If they break-in to anything around here while we're home, I just hope they fall forward and inside my house instead of backwards.......

Steve, Thanks for the link.

I have two dogs.......problem is that the threat of being licked to death will never deter a thief. My labs are as useful as wet toilet paper when it comes to securing the home.

Regard big, mean dogs, just the photo of the Cane Corso scares the $hit out of me. Thanks, now I'm going to have nightmare!

Dont know if it has been mentioned, but in Shotgun News they used to advertise these tear gas canisters with trip wires....

Electric door handles? A very country gentleman I knew used this to deter thieves from his barn. he came out one day to find a guy passed out with pants full of ***** and soaked in piss. He took lots of photos before the cops showed up. DA questioned him on it and he claimed it was to keep coons out of the horse feed.

Wireless systems are easy to install yourself or via a ADT or similar contract. At the very least I would add a lock (and use it :) ) and put something like this in the garage: Mace Wireless Home Security System - 80355 at The Home Depot

A couple years ago there was a rash of garage break-ins in this area, always through a back door, since security systems usually do not include the garage area.

I bought one of those aerosol horns like people bring to football games, and mounted it with a shelf bracket screwed to the door so that if the door opened any more than an inch or so, the bracket would push the button, and the entire neighborhood would be awake.

If you open my side door on the garage, loud bells ring, etc.

I like Dan's solution too though, as well as the note on the door, telling them your neighbor got their license number, when they were casing it, with date and time they were there

Nothing says 'don't rob me' like a pissed off doberman. They look mean, but I swear to heaven, a buddy of mine had the sweetest dobie on planet earth. If you came up to the door, she would bark like she meant business, and she was a mean looking sob. But once she knew who you were, she would come up to you when you were sitting down, and put her paws and her head in your lap, looking for a scratch. She was a total sweet heart, but you wouldn't know it walking up to the door.

Don't tell them the neighbors "ratted" them out. Just let them you know they were there. I would suggest buying some cheap video cameras and put one in plain sight. Number that easy to see one #12.

I had a Doberman years ago. She would bark when someone came up to the door, but she was a total sweetheart. The neighbor kids came over to throw tennis balls for her to chase. One time about 2:00 AM someone was pounding on my front door. She was barking and growling in a tone that was primeval. Whoever it was gone by the time I was dressed and armed. They got the message.

Trap the door (door contact), install dual tech (PIR & microwave - less chance for false alarms) motion detector(s) and make sure you have a LOUD siren. Cameras are also good. Thieves don't like attention. Signage stating you have a monitored security system is always a good idea, even if you don't actually have a security system. You want to discourage would-be thieves and send them on to an easier target. If your existing security panel is operable and has a spare zone or two, you just need to add the aforementioned sensors to your panel and you're done.

I think I contributed to Masraum's thread as well, but if you're looking for a good alarm. Napco makes some of the best. I did the install, but hired a pro to program everything for me. See if there is an alarm supply store in your area (I couldn't purchase directly from mine) and they can probably recommend a good installer. I added motion and glass detectors in my garage shop and house along w/ the standard mag switches. Most of it's wireless, but some is not. I also have battery backup w/ tamper alarms on everything.

Update - My neighbor called this morning and told me that newspaper ran a story today about 4 burgalars that were arrested yesterday. She says that one of the guys in the photo is one of the guys that was in my driveway so we going back to Defcon 5. I haven't finalized the deal with the local security company, but it looks like were going to have the main board replaced and have them install a baseline of sensors. At least I can upgrade the system later next year. I think I'll follow Steve's lead and get a few signs for the house and garage.......

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1261256082.jpg