Garage Security "When a monitored system isn't enough"

[Dillithium]

People see Jerry Lea throw this Boat Bumber ten feet in the air and they change there mind about coming on our property,

That is a beautifull security system!

But honestly, a cruel one at it.
My uncle has two german workshepards, great dogs, best security system on legs that's for sure. He got them from the same nest, and a friend of his got a male shepard from that same nest.
Couple of weeks ago, a perp tried to break into the friend's house with the single shepard. Not only did the perp manage to steal a rolex collection that took a lifetime to amass, he woke up finding his best friend with his skull bashed in...all for some stupid watches.

I love dogs,I really don't like it when they're used as guards.
Just keep them indoors at night, they'll bark at anything that comes into your yard anyway.

 

[ryaninmichigan]

I really don't like it when they're used as guards.
.

It's there job.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Back in the day... garage doors had a lockable central handle with flat steel bars that engaged the track at the door edges.

Always used to jam up and easy to defeat because of the long unsupported length of steel.

See some now that uses spring loaded bolts that are connected to central rotating knob by cables

Excellent, I like that!

Jim

 

[Motofixxer]

For door jamb kick in reinforcement look at Ez armor type jamb kits and strengthen your doors and jambs.

The Liftmaster 3800 shaft openers like I have does not have a rope in the middle since its mounted off on the side of the spring shaft. It also comes with auto deadbolts that lock and unlock with the operation.

I also recently installed 8 cameras around house and shop just to keep an eye on things.

 

[AndyL]

What product do you use?

Sorry, missed that...

I have a couple...

Outside where I want good coverage:
http://foscam.ca/products/foscam-fi8904w-outdoor-wireless-ip-camera-3.html

In the garage:
http://foscam.ca/products/foscam-fi8910w-wireless-ip-camera.html

But I've also got a few ebay/dealextreme knockoffs of the same for where I just want coverage, not quality...

http://dx.com/p/300kp-wireless-wifi...d-night-vision-microphone-white-105212?item=7

There's a handy exterior mount for the fancy pan/tilt camera too - fits the cheap wanscam/ipcam/etc or the foscam units (you can find them cheaper, paid <30$ for my last one)
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Waterproof-O...674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336f5b592a

the chinese knockoffs are a bit lower on the quality spectrum, and they're a witch with a capital b to configure at first... but seem to work just as reliably...

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

No one asked you about your opinion on gun ownership.

...and no one asked you for your opinion about his opinion either....so I guess we'll all have to live with disappointment. I don't; and will never agree nor understand, the desire of so many here beat their chests and talk about taking someone's life over the loss of THINGS.

 

[ddawg16]

...and no one asked you for your opinion about his opinion either....so I guess we'll all have to live with disappointment. I don't; and will never agree nor understand, the desire of so many here beat their chests and talk about taking someone's life over the loss of Material THINGS.

Clarified it for you....and agree....

A good analogy.....

People rise up in arms when they see someone killed as a result of a police pursuit of a stolen car......

So....how do we compare a human life to a chunk of metal?

As frustrating as a thief can be...whether it's a stolen car or stolen tools....the material things are not worth taking a life over.

There is no glamor in taking a life....it's nothing like you see on TV....TV does not give you the daily memories of the event....of looking at that dead body and knowing that he was the son of some mom and father......

I'm thankful I was not the person that had to tell the mom that we killed her son....the fact that he tried to kill me is only a minor detail......at the end of the day...a man is dead...and a mother and father weep.

How would one of you feel is someone killed your son because he was stealing some tools?

I will have no further comments on this thread.

 

[JimVonBaden]

When there is no threat invoked from commiting a crime, there will be no reason not to commit a crime. How far do we take this hands-off approach? Do we stop trying to arrest a thief if they resist just a little? Don't want to hurt a guy just for stealing. If a thief would simply stop and wait on the police, no harm would ever come of them. Bad choices lead to life lessons, or lack of life lessons.

No wonder why some parts of the country have so much crime and others do not.

Jim

 

[MScott]

That is a beautifull security system!

But honestly, a cruel one at it.
My uncle has two german workshepards, great dogs, best security system on legs that's for sure. He got them from the same nest, and a friend of his got a male shepard from that same nest.
Couple of weeks ago, a perp tried to break into the friend's house with the single shepard. Not only did the perp manage to steal a rolex collection that took a lifetime to amass, he woke up finding his best friend with his skull bashed in...all for some stupid watches.

I love dogs,I really don't like it when they're used as guards.
Just keep them indoors at night, they'll bark at anything that comes into your yard anyway.

A few years ago, a friend of mine had her house burglarized. They opened her attached garage, pulled their van inside, and entered the house through the access door. She had two German sheperds in the house, so the thieves grabbed shovels from the garage and proceeded to beat the dogs into unconciousness before looting the house.
My friend was much more concerned about the dogs than the loss of property. The dogs recovered, but were never the same. It changed their personalities.

 

[ekraft84]

A few years ago, a friend of mine had her house burglarized. They opened her attached garage, pulled their van inside, and entered the house through the access door. She had two German sheperds in the house, so the thieves grabbed shovels from the garage and proceeded to beat the dogs into unconciousness before looting the house.
My friend was much more concerned about the dogs than the loss of property. The dogs recovered, but were never the same. It changed their personalities.

That's extremely sad and angering all at the same time. I hate reading that kind of stuff and what some people are capable of.

 

[cdd1]

...and no one asked you for your opinion about his opinion either....so I guess we'll all have to live with disappointment. I don't; and will never agree nor understand, the desire of so many here beat their chests and talk about taking someone's life over the loss of THINGS.

When there is no threat invoked from commiting a crime, there will be no reason not to commit a crime. How far do we take this hands-off approach? Do we stop trying to arrest a thief if they resist just a little? Don't want to hurt a guy just for stealing. If a thief would simply stop and wait on the police, no harm would ever come of them. Bad choices lead to life lessons, or lack of life lessons.

No wonder why some parts of the country have so much crime and others do not.

Jim

Both good points. I do believe that we are entitled to protect ourselves, but I certainly don't relish the opportunity, as some of the keyboard Rambos seem to.

I recently took a home defense course, and we spent more than a few minutes about "mindset". The instructor asked each of us to think if we have it in ourselves to, when confronted with a situation, to have the wherewithal to pull the trigger and be responsible for someone else's life? Do we have it in us to watch the life ooze out from someone lying on our floor?

These are things worth thinking about--even when it's over a no good criminal.

 

[1967marti]

If someone breaks into someone’s garage and steals their work truck (a welders truck, or a wrecker, or pipe fitters, etc) he/she is not just stealing a chunk of metal or a "thing" they are stealing someone’s ability to feed their family and pay their bills. And for those of you who would say "that's what insurance is for".... BULL SH*T! How big of a deductable do you think that hard working person would have to pay to get back all of their gear? How long would it take? Would the insurance give them the "fair market value" of the few years old equipment? And would that "fair market value" be able to buy back everything that was stolen? No... I don't think so...
If someone gets shot for breaking the law and trying to steal a man's livelihood then good, they deserved it.
Of course catching a 50 year old tweaker stealing a 1990's push mower out of your Rubbermaid shed in your backyard doesn't warrant a death sentence so common sense should be used BUT at the end of the day theft is theft and the legal system is broken. Good, honest, hardworking and taxpaying citizens who are legally armed have the right to defend their life, home and property. If you are dumb enough to commit a crime then you give yourself over to the possibility that that the person you are committing a crime against may just value that mower over your life.

 

[ryaninmichigan]

...and no one asked you for your opinion about his opinion either....so I guess we'll all have to live with disappointment. I don't; and will never agree nor understand, the desire of so many here beat their chests and talk about taking someone's life over the loss of THINGS.

I never said it was ok to kill someone over tools. Your putting words in my mouth

 

[JimVonBaden]

Both good points. I do believe that we are entitled to protect ourselves, but I certainly don't relish the opportunity, as some of the keyboard Rambos seem to.

I recently took a home defense course, and we spent more than a few minutes about "mindset". The instructor asked each of us to think if we have it in ourselves to, when confronted with a situation, to have the wherewithal to pull the trigger and be responsible for someone else's life? Do we have it in us to watch the life ooze out from someone lying on our floor?

These are things worth thinking about--even when it's over a no good criminal.

I agree, and was just making a counterpoint. I don't think I would ever use a gun on someone short of a life threatening situation, and even then the odds that I will have a gun handy are small. I just dislike the idea that people think it is almost OK to steal, like it isn't worth punishing the dirtbag thief. IMHO a thief is one very low human being, no excuses accepted.

Jim

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I never said it was ok to kill someone over tools. Your putting words in my mouth

Point taken, and you're right. So I apologize. I read your comment in the context of just having read a series of posts from others showing weapons, stating they'd shoot first and ask questions later, etc.

Now that I think of it, cdd1's comment above about "keyboard Rambo's" is right on the mark. Lots of people like to "show off" how "tough" they are on the internet but in reality they're just talking **** - hopefully!

Ha ha, that keyboard Rambo label gives me a mental image of (fat) Seth Rogan with no shirt on and cartridge belts across his chest sitting in his parent's basement with tighty whities on!

 

[Defender Chassis]

I did not read every post but saw a lot of comments about how you could still break in if yada yada yada.

My theory is that you do not have to make it impossible to steal your stuff just harder to steal than your neighbors. My $.02

 

[JimVonBaden]

I did not read every post but saw a lot of comments about how you could still break in if yada yada yada.

My theory is that you do not have to make it impossible to steal your stuff just harder to steal than your neighbors. My $.02

Jim

 

[rebelram]

Ya know, I was hoping this might be an intelligent thread with some good ideas. But basically it comes down the same responses to all threads of this nature.

There are the guys who say "I have guns, I'll shoot the intruder" Yeah well, a lot of good the guns do you when they're at home and you're at work. Last time I checked, guns don't shoot themselves or guard your home when you're away. BTW, I am in no means against the 2nd, I'm actually very much for it. Guns have their place, but don't expect to be at home 24/7 to protect your stuff. It annoys me to no end when people completely misconstrue the castle doctrine laws and what they mean. All you do is make other gun owners look bad. It's bad enough the main stream media thinks that all gun owners are evil and they want to keep promoting those myths. Castle doctrine laws are only there to protect you from lawsuits should you have the immediate need to use your gun on someone that is IN YOUR HOUSE and is 1/2 a second away from doing deadly harm to you or your family!

If you post signs in your yard, on your vehicle that you are armed, all you are doing is telling the thugs you have valuable guns inside to steal. Most crackheads are still willing to take the chance you might not be home. Most even go to great lengths to check first that no one is home.

Then there are guys who say get a big dog. That too is easily defeated. And guess what, I own 3 dogs, one of which is a German Shepherd. She barks at everything. Her barking might cause a thug to pick a different house. I'd be more upset if some thug killed my dog. BTW, the standard cop response for aggressive dogs is to shoot them. Last time I checked, many thugs carry guns too.

I had hoped in this thread I might see helpful suggestions about how to strengthen door frames, which locks are less easily defeated, how I can add security measures to my home that are easily operated by my family members, and lastly some quick simple "Gee why didn't I think of that?" tips.

3 pages of this thread so far and I think I have only seen 2 or 3 useful tips in it.

 

[JimVonBaden]

You are correct. I apologize!

Jim

 

[KEH]

Re dogs on guard, a local body shop had 2 Rottwilers behind the fence. Thieves killed the dogs and stole a customized car. One at least of the thieves was on the run from other difficulties. Neither car or the thieves has been found. One rumor is that the car had 30 inch wheels, that they wanted the wheels, and there were only 3 cars in the county with such wheels. The pawn shop guy who was telling me this said he wasn't going to take any 30 inch wheels in pawn.

Re shooting criminals, a local shot 2 in the head as they were breaking into his home. He had a conviction for forgery and wasn't supposed to have a gun. Well, he didn't but his girl friend had one in the car. They returned home to find the apartment beind broken into by guys with ski masks, man got gun, shot the two in the head at close range. Sheriff was reluctent to prosecute, citing castle law, but feds have taken over the case and are going to prosecute because of the felon with a gun law.

KEH

 

[skiingman]

When there is no threat invoked from commiting a crime, there will be no reason not to commit a crime.

This is of course utter nonsense, unless you believe the world is populated predominately with 2 year olds. Most people don't commit crimes because crime is wrong.

The few who do? Well, you can dissuade them in a number of ways. Gun ownership and tough punishment alone won't do it, although I'm all for both. If guns/orisons were the solution Texas wouldn't be the crime ridden hole it is compared to New England.

I believe in GOOD security cameras, keeping people on the property whenever possible, and always having a firearm for defending life and property.

 

[JimVonBaden]

This is of course utter nonsense, unless you believe the world is populated predominately with 2 year olds. Most people don't commit crimes because crime is wrong.

The few who do? Well, you can dissuade them in a number of ways. Gun ownership and tough punishment alone won't do it, although I'm all for both. If guns/orisons were the solution Texas wouldn't be the crime ridden hole it is compared to New England.

I believe in GOOD security cameras, keeping people on the property whenever possible, and always having a firearm for defending life and property.

You totally missed the point. Then again, if you are not looking for it, you will never see it.

None the less, let us get back to the OP's intent, shall we?

Jim

 

[Hephaestus29]

I've been toying with getting a smoke cloak type of system. When the alarm goes off the building fills with a heavy white fog. I jokingly thought of having a Vincent price type of laugh saying "enjoy the poison gas, they'll never find your body" play loudly as the smoke comes out. The building fills from the back so the people have a chance to run out the front.

Here is a video of the system.

Chris

I like these foggers, but I think they should start at a doorway & blow smoke inwards so they possibly get trapped inside & can't find their way out til the cops get there. The system should also engulf the whole house so quickly that the intruder doesn't have a chance.

 

[47p2]

When I designed my garage I purposely never included any windows or side door. The only way in is through the two front facing roller doors which are both alarmed and covered by CCTV. The yard has perimeter sensors which will trigger an alarm should anyone walk into the yard after they negotiate the alarmed gates. At the end of the day if the scum wants in bad enough they will get in, but we just have to make it as difficult as possible.

 

[smokem2020]

A friend of mine was so paranoid about getting broke into he made his garage burglar proof. Long story short, He was working on a gas tank and had a fire. Sad thing was, his only entry was the overhead door and he couldn't get to it. The firemen found his body next to a boarded up window with an empty 2 1/2lb fire extinguisher. Is your stuff worth your life?

 

[Hephaestus29]

A friend of mine was so paranoid about getting broke into he made his garage burglar proof. Long story short, He was working on a gas tank and had a fire. Sad thing was, his only entry was the overhead door and he couldn't get to it. The firemen found his body next to a boarded up window with an empty 2 1/2lb fire extinguisher. Is your stuff worth your life?

My stuff isn't worth my life & when i'm in the garage I don't bar the door, it's only barred when I leave, when i'm home or in the garage i'm always packing.

 

[ersatzs2]

I believe in GOOD security cameras, keeping people on the property whenever possible, and always having a firearm for defending life and property.

This seems like the right attitude. The moment you opt to use lethal force to defend yourself and your property (which I absolutely support) I like the idea that you also have an obligation to do everything possible to minimize the chances you will ever have to use it.

PS: to the OP: sorry you are disappointed with the direction this thread took but in all fairness there must be 100 'security' threads on GJ, just use 'search'

 

[Kevin54]

I don't know if it's been mentioned or not as I didn't read through all of the threads, but if you put a keypad outside so you can access the garage, DO NOT hardwire it. I know a few that has done it, my dad included, and it is so easy to break in if hardwired. All a thied has to do is either unscrew or pry the unit off of the wall and touch the two wires together. My dad thought he was secure because he had a key opener put in. In less than 5 minutes I had his switch unscrewed and the door open.

To my garage, I have a keybox outside that has 10 pushbuttons on it. Once I key in the code, then I can open it to access the keys. I suppose it's not foolproof, but if a thief pried it off of the wall, then he'd have to have a hammer to bust it open, then by that time, either he's made too much noise or the keys inside would be destroyed. I also have a traffic light and a walk/don't walk sign inside that is lit 24/7. So a thief will be a little detered by lights already being on. And along with that, most nights our bedroom window is open and it faces the garage and I'm a very light sleeper. And with a loaded gun real close by.....well you get the point!!!

 

[milner351]

Many good points here.

Anohter one to remember is to catalogue what you have - take a video of the shop, every drawer of every tool box, every major floor standing tool, welder, shear / brake / press, etc.

If you don't remember or document what you have in your shop - after it's stolen, burned up, flooded, or blown away - its your fault if insurance doesn't pay you enough to replace it.

Another over looked point IMHO - don't leave your garage doors open to a well travelled street - I realize this doesn't apply to allot of folks - but with the super fancy garages I've seen pictured here - anyone driving by not looking straight ahead will notice and eventually you'll become a target for theft. If they don't know it's there - they can't steal it. I NEVER work on a car on the hoist with the door open, the doors only stay open when moving things in and out.

 

[PeterT]

Good point Milner.. Good thieves stake out 'the joint'. If they happen to drive by and see a treasure chest,, they will likely return.

 

[bobemmerich]

Back in the day... garage doors had a lockable central handle with flat steel bars that engaged the track at the door edges.

Always used to jam up and easy to defeat because of the long unsupported length of steel.

See some now that uses spring loaded bolts that are connected to central rotating knob by cables

^^That's what my door has..^^ I supplement by putting locking pliers on the track, and a rod through 1 wheel/track hole on each side. It can still be bashed in, but it would be too damn noisy. I have a neighbor who's always home, so she would hear it.

 

[miner]

I keep my 12 guage loaded and by my bedside,, if I hear any ruckuss I shoot first and ask questions later...

What a smart method!

 

[gatewaysysop]

Another over looked point IMHO - don't leave your garage doors open to a well traveled street - I realize this doesn't apply to allot of folks - but with the super fancy garages I've seen pictured here - anyone driving by not looking straight ahead will notice and eventually you'll become a target for theft. If they don't know it's there - they can't steal it. I NEVER work on a car on the hoist with the door open, the doors only stay open when moving things in and out.

Quoted for truth. My neighbors do this with reckless abandon, even have it up at night because they often 'forget' to shut it. It blows my mind that they haven't been burglarized yet, and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the wrong person gets a view.

 

[Defender Chassis]

My shop is open to the alley and there is a low rent trailer park directly across and down the alley. As a rule I do not leave my doors open as already stated. I sometimes pop them up high enough to get a fan under for air circulation but to keep prying eyes at bay. One time when the doors were up I had a guy just stop in the alley and just stare into the shop. I asked if I could help him and he said he just never saw the doors open and did not know what was inside. I told him I usually left them down to keep people from seeing in. He just kept staring like he did not get the drift of what I said. On a positive note, I have never been broken into (knocks on wood).

 

[thomfr]

Is it an idea to open a "neat security ideas" topic like the storage ideas topic?
But this should only be about inventive ideas not a dog or gunshow (guns are no option here in Europe, I'm no gun hater).

Thom

 

[Andrew LB]

My security system is a multi-tier solution beginning with my two American Brittany hunting dogs who are fantastic at alerting me if anything is going on. I also have a motion sensing camera setup in case nobody is home which sends images to my cell phone if someone tries to break in. And if someone attempts a robbery when I'm home, my weapon of choice is my Benelli M4 semi-auto 12ga shotgun. You can fire all 8 shells before the first empty hits the ground.

Then there is always my LWRC M6A2.

 

[miner]

Among the people I know, those with the most guns also tend to be the ones who are most afraid of being victimized.

I own two guns. I use them for hunting. I have yet to pose with them for a photo in my kitchen, however.

 

[BHR4CE1]

Wifi security camera, only way to go... anyone enters my garage - I get an email with pics within 10 seconds, and a live feed link helps me keep the wife away from my tools as a side benefit

Yup. Same here. I have a MAJOR hi-tech system that lets me know in almost REAL TIME if anyone is anywhere near my home. Lots of sensors. Had one "false" the other day when a Coyote walked up to my back gate, but other than that..no issues. The system takes a still pic and e-mails it to me and I can immediately watch all cameras on my iPhone no matter where I am and of course all 14 cameras are recording all the time. VERY loud sirens, and turns on all lights as well.

Now, all the Glocks I have don't hurt either...just in case I happen to be home when they come.

 

[BHR4CE1]

My security system is a multi-tier solution beginning with my two American Brittany hunting dogs who are fantastic at alerting me if anything is going on. I also have a motion sensing camera setup in case nobody is home which sends images to my cell phone if someone tries to break in. And if someone attempts a robbery when I'm home, my weapon of choice is my Benelli M4 semi-auto 12ga shotgun. You can fire all 8 shells before the first empty hits the ground.

Then there is always my LWRC M6A2.

You're my hero!!!!!

 

[Jarhead0408]

^^That's what my door has..^^ I supplement by putting locking pliers on the track, and a rod through 1 wheel/track hole on each side. It can still be bashed in, but it would be too damn noisy. I have a neighbor who's always home, so she would hear it.

I just use big thick J hooks from Tractor Supply that are threaded on one end. I drill a hole in each guide rail directly above one of the rollers and put the j end in in it.

Won't say it's bulletproof but there's no way there lifting the door up unless they are Heman. Course, it doesn't prevent them from smashing the door in.