Anti-climb wall ideas

[fattogatto]

can you elaborate of the type of wall they scaled? is it brick, wood, etc? did they need a ladder?

A 10' concrete wall 5" thick. No ladder needed. We back up to a church soccer field that has lots of trees, some close enough to assist in scaling the wall. Church does not want them cut back. I think one boosted the other up and then they were able to destroy the driveway gate magnetic lock somehow and then force the gates open enough to get through.

No one has mentioned what my wife came up with - carpet tack strips. Also keeps critters from parading up and down the wall.

Thanks for the suggestions. And, for the one poster, yes - a 9mm now resides here.

 

[chops101]

I've worked in some other countries where compounds are quite common.
Puerto Rico comes to mind where broken glass shards are used extensively, so it must work well and probably proven to be an effective deterrent.

Use/mix different colors to add an artistic touch.

 

[srmofo]

If this is a block wall, Id suggest another course or 2 of block. Just make sure you do it yourself. Itd be a shame if someone jumped up and grabbed a hold of that top course and pulled the whole thing over on themselves

 

[dynahoe]

I grew up near a baseball field and the woman that owned the wooden railing fence next to the field got tired of the kids sitting on it all day long.she covered the rails and post tops in bacon fat and other disgusting greases kept everyone off for years to come

 

[Falcon67]

I had always thought about that as a deterrent. Nothing lethal, but like folks use for animal control. Enough of a shock to make you not want to hang on, not enough to cause injury to be sued over.

http://www.tscstores.com/ELECTRIC-FENCING-C589.aspx

Animals easily get between the hot wire and the ground and they don't carry insulated wire cutters.

 

[pop pop]

Would not matter what the Church "wants", I'd trim some limbs!

Even a Church knows forgiveness is easier than permission.

 

[mo2872]

Especially if their limbs overhang my property, it'd be trimmin' time!

 

[Lippyp]

I don't know how it is over there but here in the UK it is legal to trim back branches that overhang your property as long as you return the wood to the owner. Surely the church if they know the situation they have caused would be sympathetic, if not then they ain't very good christians.

 

[workhurts]

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No one has mentioned what my wife came up with - carpet tack strips. Also keeps critters from parading up and down the wall.
.

The wood would rot pretty quick in the elements and the 1/4" spikes are defeated by pretty much any material you throw over them. In this instance, I don't think glass shards would have done anything either.

I do question why they waited for you. I'd think most robbers would rather steal and leave and not confront an owner. Here's the thing, if they come in while you are not there then that's what insurance is for.

If they come in while you are their then a simple alarm system and cameras should suffice.

If you want to deter them from coming in by making the place less attractive then you have to get something visible.

 

[c39er]

The thieves have won.
The property owner has to spend more money on elaborate property protection.. be more frightened..have a gun waiting 24 hours a day while the courts and cops say it's mostly up to you home owner to protect your self and family.
But do not cause bodily harm to any intruder or you might be in big trouble.!

Worried modern day americans start building your secure heavily armed compounds!

 

[fattogatto]

I do question why they waited for you. I'd think most robbers would rather steal and leave and not confront an owner. Here's the thing, if they come in while you are not there then that's what insurance is for.

Interesting change of theory has emerged. Since we could not definitively determine the access point we looked for alternatives. We had stopped about 1 mile away to get gas. Police believe they were waiting at the gas station/quick stop for targets of opportunity. We drive a new Merc which would have been an attraction. Possibly they simply followed us to see what the situation was. Had we pulled into a well lit and open parking area they would have gone back to the gas station and waited for someone else. However, we pulled into a high walled (i.e. un-observed) area with a gate. They easily could have gotten out of the car and run into the parking area while we pulled into the garage. So, be extra vigilant about cars following. Maybe stop at the entrance to the gate until all following cars go by.

 

[MattN03]

We lived in Midtown and then moved to Desoto County. We left 7 years ago, and don't miss it all, except the awesome BBQ everywhere! Stay safe down there, and good luck!

 

[kazlx]

Especially if their limbs overhang my property, it'd be trimmin' time!

You don't need to trim them all the way, just halfway through from the top with a hacksaw at the base of the offending limbs

 

[LS6 Tommy]

No ladder needed. We back up to a church soccer field that has lots of trees, some close enough to assist in scaling the wall. Church does not want them cut back

It doesn't matter what they want. If any limbs from their trees overhang your property you have the legal right to prune them as you see fit. I'm sure you're also trying to stay on the "friendly" side of things with the church.

Tommy

 

[404]

Here's the thing, if they come in while you are not there then that's what insurance is for.

I'm thinking you have never made an insurance claim. There is the deductible, the depreciation, the inability to recall everything that is missing... the list is endless. Then there is the high blood pressure and sense of violation. Insurance is in NO WAY making up for that.

 

[rlitman]

The wood would rot pretty quick in the elements and the 1/4" spikes are defeated by pretty much any material you throw over them. In this instance, I don't think glass shards would have done anything either.

Yeah, tack strips are a waste. Regarding the glass shards. The way I've seen it done most times is to mortar an empty wine bottle (or tall glass) into each hole in the block, and then break the bottle once the mortar cures. It's not just schards. It's huge pieces sticking straight up, cemented into the wall.

You could also stick some bright common nails point up into the mortar for good measure (they'll be better once they get nice and rusty in the weather).

 

[dynahoe]

5 pound bags of salt around the base of the trees

 

[workhurts]

I'm thinking you have never made an insurance claim. There is the deductible, the depreciation, the inability to recall everything that is missing... the list is endless. Then there is the high blood pressure and sense of violation. Insurance is in NO WAY making up for that.

I was only thinking in terms of that vs barbed wire/glass/lawyers getting sued etc. I agree, I would rather not have my property stolen but you should document everything you have anyway. Insurance is there for fire, theft and whatever else. You need the documentation regardless.

Thinking about it, I'd hate to have to sit down and go through what every little thing is worth with the insurance but that all really depends on what you have that is of value. A simple alarm system and some high visibility warning signs should take care of that to some degree then.

 

[nine4gmc]

At some point, the will top going over and start going under or through !

Several liquors stores in Detroit have been broken into by a couple of determined thieves with nothing more than a sledge hammer. It was done in the very early morning hour, under bright outdoor lights and completely filmed. It took them almost 30 minutes, but they succeeded.

I worked at a car audio shop in the early 90's that was always attempted break ins. They winched the front door off once, came through the roof once and the last time I remember was a sledge hammer through the back wall. The place had an alarm but they would ****** and grab whatever they could and run before the cops showed up...

 

[KEH]

I didn't come up with this and haven't had reason to try it, but someone on here mentioned this to get rid of unwanted neighboring trees:

If tree is close to property line, dig down on your side of the line and find a tree root. Dig a small hole, keeping the sod to recover the hole carefully. Cut the root and stick the cut end in a small container of Roundup. Theory is that tree will take up the poison and die. As soon as tree starts to die, remove Roundup and carefully cover hole. Do the "shutup" part of the 3 S's. From what the OP said there are probably too many trees to do this in his case.

KEH

 

[theoldwizard1]

All of the ideas proposed so far (including electric fence) can be easily defeated my 12-15' ladder and a couple of layers of old carpeting.

The only real effective solution to prevent someone from going OVER a fence is make it 20-30' high. People trying to get in to the US from Mexico have still managed to climb some of those.

 

[404]

All of the ideas proposed so far (including electric fence) can be easily defeated my 12-15' ladder and a couple of layers of old carpeting.

.

The people that smart have real jobs.

 

[bop_pa]

Looks like someone beat me to it but I was going to suggest carpet tack strips also. They are dirt cheap, low profile and hard to see from below and likely could be installed with just some masonry screws or nails. Heck construction adhesive would even do the trick.

 

[Whitworth]

I'd just move.

 

[dogdog]

you can try to weld a fence about 2 or 3 feet tall on top of what you have but tilt it extending outward about 45 or 60 degrees... that makes it harder to climb without equipments.....

Since it's a fence now... you can barb wire ? or electrify it with one of those solar powered electric fence devices... but then those two options are liability issues like others have said...

You can grow vines type plants to with thrones as well,,,, don't think that is a liability issues to have plants on your fence property.

In conjunction with bright motion sensor lights and cameras.

 

[Joe Reed]

Interesting change of theory has emerged. Since we could not definitively determine the access point we looked for alternatives. We had stopped about 1 mile away to get gas. Police believe they were waiting at the gas station/quick stop for targets of opportunity. We drive a new Merc which would have been an attraction. Possibly they simply followed us to see what the situation was. Had we pulled into a well lit and open parking area they would have gone back to the gas station and waited for someone else. However, we pulled into a high walled (i.e. un-observed) area with a gate. They easily could have gotten out of the car and run into the parking area while we pulled into the garage. So, be extra vigilant about cars following. Maybe stop at the entrance to the gate until all following cars go by.

I think you're probably on the right track here. Sounds like your entry is a thief's *********....private, away from view of neighbors - and a 10' fence and automatic gate pretty much tells them that there's something valuable inside...

 

[ADCS]

1. Buy a few green laser pointers from China.
2. Buy a replica of a big *** gun.
3. Buy a PTZ camera with auto tracking and spare I/Os
4. Buy a 20ft mast.
5. Mount laser pointers onto camera so they pan/tilt with it.
6. Install laser cam and big *** gun replica on mast.
7. Program camera auto tracker to track motion and turn on laser pointers.
8. Post videos of the baddies running away on YouTube.

 

[Wizzard]

Tennessee has a Castle Doctrine law if I'm not mistaken, so you are on the right track with purchasing a 9mm, now just get a light for the pistol since that makes a huge difference. An AR15 with a Streamlight or Surefire light mounted on a quad-rail makes for the best 'estate' protection firearm, using a standard capacity 30 round magazine of course. In our state you can shoot someone for theft valued over $500. Getting familiar with your laws is a good idea.

Funny how the 'element' like to come out in our area looking for stuff to steal (newly bought generators, etc) whenever a hurricane approaches. Glad you are ok.

 

[My Old Tools]

Basically anything you install that is meant to injure/kill someone who is attempting to trespass is illegal. It *****, but the criminals can and will sue you for everything you own if they get hurt climbing over your spiked wall. Some cities are even forcing people with old spiked wrought iron fences to weld steel balls onto the spikes to prevent injuries to people scaling the fence.
Around here we even have to flag any gates or cables blocking off access to property. If someone hits it and gets hurt, they can and will sue and win for you putting a gate on your own property that is not brightly marked.

In Texas, they can sue, but they won't win. 12 guage pump works every time.....

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Punji Pit!

Hmmmmm.... Detroit....... So I take it you have to empty it out daily?