Garage Security Systems

[73 Mustang Bill]

My 84 year old neighbor has a chain-link fence around her place, 5 foot high on the sides, 4 foot high in the front. Is it inprepetrable? No. she dropped her key on the wrong side of the fence and jumped over it. Is she likely to get robbed? I'm betting not, as the common house theif is going to go to the next house down. Same with a sign saying "Cameras in use". Are they going to risk it, or just go to the next house? Maybe the dummy camera is out in plain site, where the real ones are hidden. Motion lights are useless when you are at work during the day, but a camera by the front door makes that thief posing as a "door-to-door salesman" think twice.

One neighbor had his truck stolen on Groundhog Day (I blame Phil). Which was dumber, leaving your keys in the truck and having it stolen, or emailing all of your neighbors and admitting that you left your keys in your truck and it was stolen. It was recovered near the local university, where it had been left at a 24/7 gym with a large parking lot.

As pointed out, if they want in, you can't stop them. You just want to make it hard for the average amateur to get in.

 

[jweller]

I work in IT so it was pretty easy for me to get an older PC for free, install Linux on it, and run free zoneminder software with a couple of decent day/night cameras. Inside the garage and out is covered. Total cost was under $300. It's on a UPS that I got for fee and replaced the batteries in it for about $50, so no worries when the power goes out. I lock my stuff up, but my theory is that if you want it bad enough, you'll get it. I just plan on handing over enough evidence to the police that you will have to do the time for it.

You can do this for really cheap if you are willing to look around for the parts.

 

[gatchel]

I went with some CCTV vandal-proof/nightvision cameras, a few motion detectors with a big air raid siren if someone comes close, some card/fingerprint access system (HID Global). Opening the door requires that the card scanned matches the fingerprints or the iris of the card holder. Also have 3 bollards for the main garage door and 2 for the other garage doors. Thing is though, they're inside, not outside, so let's say some dude thinks he can beat the clock and them out, or drive through my garage door with his half ton pick up and get away with any of my cars, though luck for him. The bollards are connected to my alarm system, so they go up when I put the alarm. I've also got partial disarming, so the bollards stay up but I can still enter and exit the building.

Gotta love the BOLLARDS!

Bollards in a residential garage....that is some ******** ****!

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Never understood the signs. Why do I want to advertise my alarm system? If they know you have it, they can plan for it. If they don't know you have it, it will be one extra surprise. A lot of alarm systems are not protected from a destructive event to the panel, I'd rather not give them a heads up to be looking for it, or my phone/internet lines before entry.

Good point. Some alarm systems use cellular service and some don't rely on the panel i.e. destroy it and the alarm keeps functioning. Some alarm systems have both features.

However, I think you're giving thieves too much credit; the security pros I've heard from all say the signs are a deterrent. The vast majority of thieves are lazy, just looking for a quick and easy score.

 

[epdarks]

Great thread. I had a garage break in a few months ago.

Since this hasn't been mentioned yet... Document everything you own in your home and garage with pictures or video. Store them in multiple places away from your home (online is pretty easy).

If and when you have a break in and need to file an insurance claim, you won't get as much **** from your insurance company and you'll save yourself a lot of headache trying to find every piece that is missing.

 

[LovelyE30]

Bollards in a residential garage....that is some ******** ****!

Closest house from my garage is a bit over a mile from me, with a whole bunch of trees and a fence all around. I doubt anyone who lives by knows what's going on on the domain. Gotta have them with all them babies who need protection.