Had someone break into our house on Saturday night while we were away over night. We were obviously lax in our security. THAT is in the process of being changed for us!!!!!!
WHAT do you have as a security system, in addition to the usual, and now newly installed deadbolts and locks?
Motion sensors? video cams? Sirens?
Any ideas on what works best?
(We do live out in the country but have neighbours who could be here in less than a minute on foot.)
A big mean dog is not possible because of the travelling we do.
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
I cant help ya Dave.Just a note. Because we use TWO dogs...boy are they good at their job. A big black Rotweiller and a nastie lil Shar-Pei. Ask Adrienne how MEAN they are! Actually..not....but they bark an look mean..that's all we need!
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
HAHAHAHAHA!!..YEAH!! BIG , MEAN, SLOBBERY PUPPIES!!!!!!
They DO look mean tho...
A
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Michael..yes you can help me....get that Rottie mad and tape him growlin and barkin..and make a tape of it!!! LOL
Send me a copy of the tape!!!!
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
An ax by the backdoor......mace in my purse....hatchet by the front door...and big bad Astro.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Geese!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Joey...That is an interesting reply, that you would simply say "Geese! "
What does that mean?
Does that mean you think that I am asking for advice about something that is currently on my mind that is, in realty, of no importance to anyone else? And that any suggestions/experiences from others, would not in any way, be of use to folks who might be able to avert a similar invasion of their privacy?
Or are you responding to one of the other responses?
Please explain..I am really curious.
[ December 03, 2001: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
i think what joey means is geese are LOUD! when it comes to intruders. geese are very territorial fowl.(no joke)
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Geese are probably the best security for your situation Dave! Geese make more noise then any alarm system going and will not let intruders on your property. Geese are what you need!
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
Big dog named Hamr, video cameras on parking lot in back at alley. Not hooked up to recorder, but let me know who's out back. Not in a very good neighborhood. Would like to hook cameras up to motion sensor and recorder to let me know what goes on when I'm not there.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
AHA!!!!!!!!!!!! OK!!!!!!!!!!!
My apologies Joey!!!!!!!!!!
I read geese as Jeeez!!!!!!
Sorry Sorry Sorry (I mean it Joey. I am embarassed now)
AND a GOOD suggestion!!!!!!!!! I can handle havin geese around.
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
I will gladly make the tape....I will include some cockatiel squeels to add some sexual overtones to the whole affair.....woe to Grundy intruders from now on!!!!!! Oh Man....Dave... You sound perplexed.. Are you sure you are qualified to be a home owner? Joey..... Do you realize what the term "Goose Chalk" means? I propose a retirement community.....for sign painters...We can all move in tomorrow.Security and drinks will be provided.....FREE!!!!!! And FREE.....gallons of One shot....and unlimited FREE...24 "x 30 mile rolls of easy weedin,hot stickin high performance vinyl....
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
bubba boone,
what would this retirement community be without FREE mazeppa rain? (the first drinkable application fluid)
Gaukk,Gaukk,Gaukk,Gaukk,Gaukk,Gaukk !!!!!!!!
my best goose impersonation.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Michael...Actually I am not perplexed, just interested in hearing of any other folks "ideal" security systems.
No... I am not qualified to be a home owner. Heck no!! I only had barely enough to come up with the downpayment! LOL ....I just got lucky and paid off our mortgage a couple of years ago. Most "home owners" still live in homes that the mortgage company lets them use!
I am not bragging or complaining (anyone who has been to our place will attest to the fact that the shop is a better structure than the house! )
I'd just like to hear input on security stuff.
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
i believe you are starting to brag now dave grundy! (just pulling yer chain)
i live in the city and my best security is neighbors who care about your property and in return you care about theirs.
get you sum gooses bubba!
i hate to see my friends get ripped off!
mark
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
What works for us:
-Outdoor motion lights -Indoor lights on timers -Leave the tv on and some dishes here and there -BIG boots by the back door and a BIG dog dish. (we don't yet have the dog dish but it's a good idea) -Security labels on all windows and doors even if you aren't monitored. -A security warning sign at your front gate or entry near the road Beware of dog sign -A monitored security system (my insurance company won't even cover me unless I'm monitored because of the value of my stuff) -an inside sensor (in case the tabs on windows and doors fail) -If alarm goes off, dial up is done automatically to the security company, they respond to you, and if no answer, the police arrive on your doorstep. -I have a security strobe light on the outside of my shop so if my shop gets broken in, the police will know which building was hit
I have been broken into a home long ago, then my shop a few years ago. You learn pretty fast what needs to be taken care of after 2 scares like that. All we can do is attempt to slow them down and hopefully enough to encourage them to run elsewhere.
[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
well lets see, the step van is parked 10 feet from the door with the keys, plotter, laptop, vinyl and printer in it...unlocked. the dodge van is sitting out there with the keys in it....the utility room(all my hand tools are in it)is unlocked....the car port(where i do most of my work)has all my paint on a rack and my brushes and some tools....we dont lock the doors, only when we are sleeping......dont want my sleep disturbed!!! when i had the shop i had small hole drilled in the door, and from the inside i inserted a red blinking bulb(sorta the size of these little xmas lights)and it was hooked to an old transformer to cut voltage...when i would close shop i would plug it in and it would blink. above it outside on the door had a sign said ALARM ARMED WHEN BLINKING! no one ever even tryed to brake in...
Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :
one 90 pound Boxer and one 65 pound boxer. Don't think they bite...ask the UPS man!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Besides the motion activated light outside & the truck alarm system, we have bars welded to the steel door & window frame alond with the alarm system wired to the indoor motion sensor, & roll door, man door, & window sensors. The monitoring is $33 per month and calls the alarm company who in turn calls police If I don't answer my phone with the proper password. I also live at the shop which really helps But I'm in escrow and should have a house by christmas.
Our secret weapon would be the 4 armed guards!! most people call them 4 legged but 4 armed sounds better. Shepard & retriever mix. They will move to the new property also.
Posted by kevinlandry (Member # 1352) on :
The only thing I try to protect are my graphic files. We lock the door and turn out the lights on the shop and we do the same at home. I buy insurance and they pay for theft losses (less $500). I leave my truck unlocked. The way I look at it, if the want it they will take it no matter what I do. We are not home during the day and our dog takes care of the house. I have collected very little material wealth over the years and the only thing that is dear to me is my family. A security system isn't going to protect them. Me, my dog and my neighbours are. Oh I also have a Field Hockey stick that is about the same as a baseball bat except a little harder and a little more versatial.
Kevin Landry KnL Signs
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
Joey is right, geese are a big deterent. The will go after someone also. Also there was a shop I visited that had a sign posted outside by all doors and one on the counter that read: "Warning, poisionous snakes on premises" I did my busisness and got the hell outta there.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Years back a friend told me of these breweries he visited in Europe that had three foot tall wrought iron fences that were decorative. He compared them to the ten foot chain linkers we use. Where we have dobbies running the grounds, they had these flocks of geese. Sounds better to me.
What precautions do your insurance company suggest?
What is there in a sign shop that someone would want to steal? The more universal stuff like table saw, shaper, jointer, band saw, etc.? They are big and heavy and a hassle to move. The electric hand tools? The only thing that I probably don't have backed up and would find difficulty replacing would be my sign kit. I suppose there are robbers that might even be dumb enough to rob the thrift store.
The more
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
I don't have one but a PEACOCK makes for a very good "ALARM DOG".......Especially at night !!!!!
Shep'
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Big dog on tape. Seriously, I've seen a setup where the homeowner didn't have a dog, yet there was a large dog house in plain site with dog dish ans water bowl, beware of dog signs, he had motion detectors set up to play recorded barking inside and outside the house.
Posted by Ryan Ursta (Member # 1738) on :
H&K .40 compact ...and a rotty named Duke. he he
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I read all the Dog answers and would like to ask one question. If you were to go on holiday, would your big dogs be smart enough to feed themselves?
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
(1) Dogs are the best. Intruders are terrified of a big, ferocious-looking dog. My beagle, "Buster", doesn't look mean, can't take your leg off, but he WILL bite. He don't just go after everyone, though. Dogs are a pretty good judge of character.
(2) Good Neighbors.
[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Glenn Dewey (Member # 1804) on :
Just leave the doors unlocked !!!
They will think it's a set up and find some where else to go. LOL.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Well, now I know who to rob when I get back on the road for my trip back home to AZ in the spring.
Thanks for posting your security and address info for all the thieves on the WWW to see!
Of course, I am only kidding but ya'll should be careful what you post in a public forum.
Remember, ANYONE can read these mesages!
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
iam with santo here....had another van, when i 1st got the vinyl cutter....used to leave windows down, keys in it and i had a $300 stereo in it...on both sides of the fron doors i put a small sign saying CAUTION : PET RATTLE SNAKE ON BOARD, no one even looked inside.
[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I have a motion sensor system with a VERY LOUD internal alarm ... and it gets louder! It is impossible to stay in the room when it really gets going. Quite sickening!
But, the warning stickers work best! No crook in his right mind is going to try breaking in here when he can go down the road to unprotected places
Oh, and I didn't bother removing the "Beware of the Dog" signs on the gates when I brought the house hahahahha Or fill in the massive paw prints the previous owners dog left in the wet cement
Posted by Robin (Member # 1710) on :
I did the size 12 cowboy boots & big dog dish thing too.(caught me a cowboy that wear's that size too!) And I got a shilo shepherd 9 months ago. They are bred with malimutes so they are huge, german shepherd looking with thick longer hair....very intimidating. He was so easy to train but basically a quiet dog....just the warning barks. Well I just bartered with the local dog trainers (lettered their vehicle) Now when I snap my fingers & say "behave" he barks like MAD. And ladies...my fiance(the cowboy) made me a couple trophies & award plaques for....shooting! Hang those out with your work. I once had such bad vibes on letting this fella into the shop & as he was looking thru my portfolilo he said something about awards, I told him the only awards I ever won was with my pistol & pointed to the plaques! Sometimes it's the illusion.
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Dave, Bubba Fair knows what the best security system is and it can't be bought. Any real security expert will say that your neighbors are you best defense against intruders. Most robbers are in and out before the alarm company even notifies the police. I've heard stories about geese and they do work. Sorry to hear about the break-in. Checkers
Posted by dveenema (Member # 833) on :
Just a point for you people with the beware of dog signs...lawyers love 'em.
I know some people who had a nasty lawsuit due to a dog bite and their insurance company walked away and left them on their own because they had a "Beware of Dog" sign.
It's like admitting your dog bites.
We had a shop dog freak out and bite a customer and it's not good.
Alarm's the best bet, but doesn't really matter 'cause 90% of the time the cops won't catch them anyway.
Even if they do they get a slap on the wrist and the buggers go do it again.
Public floggings for robbers would be the best!
"Aye laddie, it's a taste of the cat, for you!"
Posted by J.G. Kurtzman (Member # 1736) on :
No dogs, no alarms, no window bars, complete woodworking, metal fabricating, and sign tools, been in business 40 years, no problems, must be my Aura people read.
J.G. Kurtzman Norwalk Conn.
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Hmmm. Not so sure about the Geese.
With my luck I would be providing a nice goose for X-mas Dinner to the perpetrators .. or to the foxes that live around here...
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
In 1988, I had a pair of geese. My son was months old, and I was putting him in a carseat. I was leaning into the back seat of the car, when the bigger goose came up behind me and hit me with his wing. Scared the crap out of me. I had a yardstick on the floor of the car, and I grabbed it and hit that sucker in the head with it. My wife was coming out the door and saw what I did and jumped my ass. We left for the day and when we got home the goose came up to the car an made a bunch of racket. The wife insisted that she was going to put him in the pen so I would hurt him. When I called her from work the next day and asked what was for supper, she said goose. He had made the mistake of going after my son. The wife scooped up the boy and put him in the house, then threw a #2 washtub over him. When she lifted it up a little and he stuck his head out, she had the machete ready. Don't make that Mexican girl mad, eh eh!!!!
