Loads of recent break-ins...Need security door advice

[ttazzman]

I have a commercial property in town for years that is regularly broken into even though we did all kinds of hardening even including full time lighting and chainlink fencing with barbwire on top....here are some thoughts

#1 no matter what you do a burglar can defeat almost any security its just a matter of time

#2 most burglars will carry a prying device to gain entry, they are quiet and will defeat almost any hardening attempts

#3 my property went from being entered 4-5 times a year to averaging less than one a year doing the following .........we went to harbor freight tools and bought a handful of fake video cameras with a blinking light and mounted them around the property and put up a sign stating we had video surveillance. that one thing did more than all the other things we had done combined.

[Argentsum]

I'm still in favor of a good attack dog.

12520

[Ragnarok]

Something like this might be useful, with a camera instead of rockets (that is, maybe...):

"lockonweb remote tracking"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFrKrra_KQ&feature=related

Then in addition to your video surveilance signs, you could post one saying "You are being tracked and recorded..."
R.

[Alric]

That is true, you can't stop a person from breaking in, if they really want to. However, if they don't know what you have inside, there is no strong reason they will want to break into your home, compared to someone else. Its just a guess on who has the best stuff. So looking more secure than everyone else, is usually enough for them to skip your home and go to someones else.

[~BS]

Forgive my poor choice of wording, but at the time that I wrote that piece I couldn't think of the correct term. In lieu of the word plastic I should have used plexiglass. I replaced the glass in my storm door with 3/8" plexiglass. It's hard a nails and real hard to break, even with a baseball bat. However, I'm not to sure about longevity at its been in hot Florida sun for quite awhile. A real drawback to this approach, as I have found out today, is that it can be scratched by a dog's nails and in time will have to be replaced. So maybe this isn't a real good idea. Some plans are good until proven otherwise. Sorry.

I talked to a friend and mentioned a product is something like the film that people use to stop the harmful effects of the sun on the inside of a house. However, this stuff is also strong. WFLA, in Tampa, used to run ads for it a few years ago claiming that it saved some persons live by stopping a .45ACP round. But the window was shattered but the person could not get in even with it shattered. The bullet did penetrate the window of the sliding glass door as I recall them saying. Don't know if that advertising claim is true or not. But anyway, my friend had put it on his house after the saleman showed that a window that was protected by it could not be broken using a bat. He just told me after I had already swapped out some of my glass windows for plexiglass. He can't remember the name of the product. Some friends come through for you after the fact. Isn't that a fact.

One way to guard against someone smashing the glass and unlocking from the inside would be to use a double cylinder dead bolt.

front doors should not have glass. Things like that attract thieves.

[Jimfrancisco]

Buy an extra car, or two. They don't need engines or anything, just need to look like someone is at home. And get a couple of CFL lights, leave them on 24h - that way your house looks occupied.
I have 4 cars in the drive at the minute, 2 of them actually work. 8 burglaries on my street this year, 12 houses on the street. Not mine. All were done in the middle of the day, with an empty driveway meaning the owners are out at work, and no lights on.

[cpthnsolo]

Buy an extra car, or two. They don't need engines or anything, just need to look like someone is at home. And get a couple of CFL lights, leave them on 24h - that way your house looks occupied.
I have 4 cars in the drive at the minute, 2 of them actually work. 8 burglaries on my street this year, 12 houses on the street. Not mine. All were done in the middle of the day, with an empty driveway meaning the owners are out at work, and no lights on.

Wow, and I thought I needed to move ASAP! I actually told one of my neighbors he could park his extra car in my driveway, but he declined :). Thanks for the advice Jim.

[Hystckndle]

I presently adhere to the JimFrancisco method of procedure.
Thieves are inherently lazy.
Making it more difficult for them is key.
I also have bowling balls in my planters out front.
You do not have to water them.
( neighbors and kids all think I am nuts and have for years )
Two of the largest plastic dog bowls I could find out front on the
front porch.
Keep them filled with clean water..
One says " Butch " on it in large black marker
and the other says " Igor ".
I have multiple warning signs on the fences side and back.
If you warn them they cannot say " I did not know I was trespassing "
I also have cameras with blinky lights.
One neighbor called the LEO out to see me as they once thought I was " spying ".
I guess living 1/4 or 1/2 mile away from any neighbor would be good but caring from an elderly parent
currently prevents that as does situation of actually still having a fairly stable job.
All is good,
I still not get what loads of break ins is in your neck of the woods Solo ?
Does not seem to be a bad rash and many good ideas here to assist with the decision of ill doers to go to the next opportunity.
Good thread this one.
Haystackneedle

[namwalker]

The Jimfrancisco proposal does have its merits. However, in Florida in order to get a license tag you need insurance on the car. In my neighborhood if you have a car on your property without a license they will call the county and they will send out code enforcement to force you to get rid of the unlicensed car or be fined. My neighbors did that to me twice, the second time because the car had an outdated license plate. Nice neighbors.

This is particularily pesty if your neighborhood is also a deed restricted community. Hopefully Capt your's is not.

[Espada]

Is this legal in all states?

Not important.

Shoot, shovel, shut up.

[honu5050]

the best aleart was my bro's widowed mother who stayed in the house or sat around outside . everyone cant do that but IMHO it was 99.9% and he had a doberman also until she passed. a load of rock salt or 22 cal bird shot in a cheep revolver good to keep on you in the house . now days they come in armed heavy however so whatever you feel ya need get in the habit..its your home not theirs ! ya have to improvise on doors and other entry points . cheers.