I was burglarized last week.

[sheslostcontrol]

I was broken into last week. The thief threw a rock through a basement window crawled in and helped himself. I had a security system installed the next day and bars over the basement windows. I cannot have a dog due to allergies.

Now I am concerned about other points of entry - including that in my detached garage.

First is doors.. I can get longer screws, longer metal strike plates, and possibly install more hinges. Anything else to help prevent them from being kicked in?

What about windows? Other than bars, which are unsightly, and bulletproof glass (expensive) is there anything else to try? I read about Shatter Guard for Windows, but can't help but wonder how easy it would be to first break the window then stick a knife through the film for easy, safer access.

I designed the garage so there is only a garage door and steel man door (no windows), but the separate office area above has one window by the top of the exterior stairs (no access from top to bottom on the inside).

My primary goal is not so much to document entry, but prevent future smash & grabs. I can't be home all the time with a shotgun.. Can't set booby traps I would go to jail not the thief.

So Garage Journal, what do you know about securing a home from determined thieves?

 

[Blk63Vette]

That ***** dude..

Bars are usually good alarm systems with motion sensors are better. Depends on what you want to do.

Tough break hopefully you have some type of insurance.

 

[jwillis]

I am so sorry to hear about your problems. This violation of your private possessions and feelings is devistating, I know. I have never been broken into but I did have the local sheriffs department come to the wrong house and break in without a search warrant. I have always felt that I should have shot them. After five years I am still angry after they arrested me. But back to your problem- you mentioned you had a security system installed. After a fire at my next door neighbors ten years ago, I installed an ADT system. If you install a security system, MAKE SURE you also have a backup system to call out. Either by radio or cell phone. A home security system is no good without a backup way to call. All a burgler has to do is cut your phone lines and he is in your home again. Localy this happened almost a dozen times last summer. Also, in a storm, if your phone goes out, there is no way for your system to report a fire. So, I would strongly advise a backup system. My cell phone backup only costs about five bucks extra a month. Also, one other thing I would advise to people is to always have a least one dial up (rotary) phone hooked up some where in your home. If your phones go out and your cell phone happens to not work, a rotary phone will still work. So, don't throw those ol' phones away guys. On the garage that is detached, I would hook up some type of motion detector that sets off an alarm to the outside of the building. These can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot and are pretty inexpensive. You can put them on the outside of the building that detects someone moving around outside of the building. Once again, I really feel for you. Good luck.........jwillis

 

[e-tek]

I like the motion detector in the shop. No guessing. My problem though is it's connected only to the house alarm and if it goes off, it will just scare the **** out of us in the house, but barely be heard by someone in the shop - so jwillis has the right idea of having one that's audible IN the shop!
Alarm signs are the number one deterent. I feel the signs alone are worth the cost of the alarm system. For the door, if you're really worried about kick-ins, I like a metal strip screwed to the jamb (that the bolt goes through) over longer screws.
Of course no matter what you do, if you don't lock it up, it's useless! I screwed myself last year by not having the front door locked. Someone (kids likely) walked right in and stole my computer and camera from the front room. WORST thing? I was sitting on the deck when it happened!!
That's a couple ideas from me - sorry to hear about your loss - I know it *****!!

 

[southernfriedcj]

First is doors.. I can get longer screws, longer metal strike plates, and possibly install more hinges. Anything else to help prevent them from being kicked in?

As one who has breached 100's of doors, I would say the toughest door to breach is an outswing steel door that is in a steel frame. In Atlanta they used them in the housing projects and they were a ***** to breach.
You can get it, but you will make a lot of noise.

 

[battmain]

A high resolution security camera will help. My camera is hooked up but not recording. Grrr.

I just discovered some dreg to society stole the fog lamp covers of my car. A friggin' piece of plastic, they couldn't buy for themself? Sigh.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Part of the problem is the area you live in. While there are many "good areas", there are as many bad, with much of the surrounding "bad".
Keep re enforcing doors and windows, keep stuff out of sight, find a good alarm system, and make your house tougher to break into, than the neighbors. With the economy like it is, ain't gonna get any better. I do like the shotgun idea!

 

[TheGrooveking]

Part of the problem is the area you live in. While there are many "good areas", there are as many bad, with much of the surrounding "bad".
Keep re enforcing doors and windows, keep stuff out of sight, find a good alarm system, and make your house tougher to break into, than the neighbors. With the economy like it is, ain't gonna get any better. I do like the shotgun idea!

Forget about the good areas and bad areas, I live in a the best part of my town and we've seen an increase in beater type cars driven by some not-so -solid looking people. When questioning the police on this they said "the criminals will go to where the money is, especially when they've exhausted the easy picking low hanging fruit in their part of the jungle". This made me feel so much better for paying exhorbanant property taxes.

TheGrooveking

 

[dankicksass]

I didn't see anyone mention window tint or motion-activated outdoor lighting. Passive safety measures like that can deter low-effort criminals significantly. Visible safety measures like window bars and a well-displayed, lit security system sign will serve to deter lazier thieves like those you've had break in already. Sounds like your neighborhood is on the decline though. Beware of home invasion crimes.

 

[KrisM]

Document your belongings and have good home insurance. If someone wants something they're going to get it.

 

[e-tek]

Document your belongings and have good home insurance. If someone wants something they're going to get it.

While that is very true, it's also very short-sighted. In the "real" world, if you make more than one or two claims your're either going to pay more, or get your policy cancelled!!

 

[gatewaysysop]

First is doors.. I can get longer screws, longer metal strike plates, and possibly install more hinges. Anything else to help prevent them from being kicked in?

What about windows? Other than bars, which are unsightly, and bulletproof glass (expensive) is there anything else to try? I read about Shatter Guard for Windows, but can't help but wonder how easy it would be to first break the window then stick a knife through the film for easy, safer access.

***** to hear you got broken into. Seems like this is happening more and more lately, but given the economy I can't say I'm surprised.

As for doors and windows, I'd suggest something like those "Strikemaster" doorjamb reinforcements. They're not terribly expensive and the newer versions are pretty easy on the eyes and don't stand out too much at all. They look a little gimmicky but they actually seem fairly stout. I have a hard time picturing someone kicking in a door with this thing in place.

Secondly, since kick ins seem so popular among thieves, you might go for better deadbolts too, or at least something that can't be bumped/picked by someone off the street. I got rid of all the cheapo **** deadbolts a long time ago and replaced with something that would stand up to the kick-in attacks in conjunction with the strike plates. Also got some that would resist the wrenching/twisting and the other "lazy thief" tactics.

Piece of advice on this? At least if it's legal where you are (or you're comfortable with the risk), think about getting double-sided deadbolts on the entry doors that have glass in them. As I've said before, much higher chance of getting robbed than dying in a fire because you can't find the key. You can always leave the key in while you're home too.

As for windows, I've heard that double paned windows tend to deter thieves because they're more difficult to get through, thicker glass and two panes of it, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket. They have other benefits (noise reduction, insulation, look nicer, better locking mechanisms) but they are freaking expensive.

My $.02 anyway, hope some of it is helpful!

 

[Aberdale]

I've got an ADT alarm system. I suppose it's a deterrent, since I've gotten way more false alarms, and never actually had anyone break in yet. However, the best deterrent I've found is a snarling barking dog. That's why I have four of them, two outside and two inside. I've been told the same by the sheriff's department, and my insurance agent.

A burglar can break into just about anyplace. Hell, no matter how well you seal/bolt the doors and windows, it only takes about 4 minutes for a crook to cut through a 2x4 frame wall with a cordless sawzall.

Other options to protect yourself include sleeping in the same room as your prized possessions with a loaded weapon.

As a last resort, don't own anything of value. All of us that have valuables are targets for those that think they can flip it for a quick buck. Law enforcement are really only there to fill out the paperwork for the insurance company. It's just too much trouble to find a petty thief, unless they are caught in the act, and even if caught, the system will only hold them for a short period of time until they're back in business again.

Get a snarling barking dog. No thief wants to risk physical pain. They will move on down the street where the pickin's are easier.

Dale

 

[Vettman]

Wife bought one of these a few months ago. My son (38) laughed when he walked up to the the front door and it started barking. I think it's somewhat of a deterrent. Allergies prevent owning a real dog.
http://www.dutchguard.com/rex-p-persec.html

 

[CarCrafter]

Sorry to hear about your break in, that *****. Talk about being violated. I know you mentioned that you have allergies to dogs, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't have an outside/ outdoor dog does it? I mean, its not the most ideal to keep a dog outside year round, but many people up here in the north do and your temps in the winter are certainly more moderate. I'd explore the dog idea with a buried electric fence or radio/ radius fence. I know having allergies can diminish the quality of your relationship with the dog(s), but at the same time, if he/ she is outside you probably won't be breathing the animal dander and may be able to tolerate it. Just an idea.... I feel pretty secure where I am because we have 4 dogs, and they have the run of the place. I tend to worry more about finding half eaten dead bodies than break ins these days. If my dogs has caught somebody, I'm certainly going to let them finish...

 

[jamesemery728]

Sorry for your loss. When I hear stories like this it makes me wish you could have a trained tiger sleep in your garage. That way when you got home you would just find a pile of bones.

 

[Ford12508]

This may sound really extreme, but get a door on a hydraulic arm. Remote controlled, so only the person with a remote can open it. Keep one in the house and in the shop, this way if yours breaks, you can still open the door. No idea of the cost, but if you ever try kicking in a reinforced door on a hydraulic, you are going to have a hard time.

you don't need something that big, but imagine trying to put that hydraulic open to break into the garage.

 

[vortex5150]

get u some type of camera system

Been running mine 2 years next month with back up battery supply on computer still need one for cameras.

U put the cameras high enough they will never see them. I've had one customer so far. They were walkin down the street at night and checking all the open cars and when they came into my driveway I saw them on camera 3. Called the cops and it turned out they had car burglar tools on them.

 

[rockchucker]

Cameras with a loop recording system on a Hard Drive. Set a small Safe Lag Bolted through the Floor to house the Hard Drive. This way even if they steal your Computer your Hard Drive housing the recordings is still in tact.

I actually bar all of my Doors when I am gone. The only one that is not Barred is the Front Door. I have 3 DeadBolts on it though. One in the normal location and then one at the top and one at the bottom of the Door. That is only when I am gone though. When I am home the doors are unlocked with my sidearm close. Thieves get shot upon entering my Home.

 

[sdowney717]

Add a steel flat bar to the door jam lock side. recess it into the wood and cut holes for the locks.
Screw long screws through that into the 2 by 4 framing

On my in laws house, I added one to the inner front door frame where the molding covers up most of the edge. Added 3 inch screws ever 6 inches. I think it will slow them down. the idea is you have a steel door but you you need to reinforce the wooden door frame. I suppose you could use a piece of angle iron. you could route the wood back and run the steel all the way up and down. Screw it in and it will look good.

The foam core steel door skins are pretty weak I think. but better then wood.

Also you should have a shotgun ready to go near you. Shotgun is hard to miss the target and they will be up close and personal.

 

[e-tek]

However, the best deterrent I've found is a snarling barking dog. That's why I have four of them, two outside and two inside.

Yup!! We just got this guy!:

As a last resort, don't own anything of value. Dale

????????????????????

Cameras with a loop recording system on a Hard Drive.

At least then you get a picture of the guy(s) who robbed you - not that it helps....

Add a steel flat bar to the door jam lock side. recess it into the wood and cut holes for the locks. Screw long screws through that into the 2 by 4 framing.

That's what I said - almost eliminates kick-ins.

An alarm system also gets you an insurance discount. Which pays (a small) part of the monthly fee.

 

[Cage]

I`ve read all the post and you guys have great ideas but some very simple stuff is being forgotten. I've been installing security systems and CCTV for 6 years and tell my customers this, STOP throwing the boxes to your new flat screen and PC`s out to the curb on thrash day. Thieves see that stuff and your advertising to the neighbors what you just bought ! Bag it up in black plastic. Another huge mistake is leaving blinds and curtains open at night with lights on for everyone driving by to see what you have. During the day close your curtains and blinds so it`s harder to see who`s home. Home security systems minimize your loss, they don`t prevent it. Try getting a small CCTV system, if not at least go online and get (dome) cameras that are fake, the domes look more realistic than the bullet ones. Don`t mount a fake camera to a solid concrete pole, I had to laugh at a st0re owner for that. there's more but I can`t remember it all. Good luck guys.

PS, don`t let bushes and shrubs grow up past your windows, it gives them a great hiding place.

 

[roboref]

I am so sorry for your invasion of privacy. I was broken into in almost the same, tape the window smashed a hole, reached in undid the latch open the window in he came. I am a big proponent of security bars. Before our break-in I hated them, but after going and looking there are much nicer ones than just black wrought iron. We painted ours to match the house trim and had some grape leaf and grape design metal work put on them. They really aren't as noticeable as you think. We chose the bars over the ADT/ security monitoring services, because that is all they are, they monitor and then will notify police that someone broke in. My father-in-law has one and on several false alarm occasions the alarm company called me when they were out of town and advised me to go meet the police. On all 3 occasions I waited more than 30 minutes for the police to show up. A lot of good the alarm did. Our local police department rates monitored alarm systems as a very low priority call.

I work late nights and alot of odd shifts. My wife likes the fact that someone would have to make a lot of noise to get in and that would give her time to call police and retreive her weapon to defend herself.

We have also followed some of the other suggestions, keeping windows closed, motion detector outside lighting, shrubs pruned, but most importanly our security bars and doors.

 

[crewchief888]

ive got motion sensor flood lights that illuminate the driveway and front of the garage, as does my neighbor. his also illuminate his back yard, and light up enough of my yard to see anyone.
i have small non opening windows in the back of the garage,

i also have a large dog that doesnt like strangers

12guage and a 45 readily available.
seldom is the house unoccupied, day or night, and my neighbor (retired) is home all the time. i watch out for him, and he watches out for me.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yup!! We just got this guy!:

He is cute. Looks like he would lick you to death or snap at the ankles .

 

[srmofo]

dont forget to reinforce the hinge side of the door. For my shop I bought a strip of metal that already had screw holes drilled and countersunk about every 6". I placed about 3' at the locks and cut the remainder up for the hinges. I used some heavy duty screws, cant remember the size though. Its screwed directly into the 2x4 framed area. I painted it white with some oil based, then just notched out the trim work to go over it. Still havent hung that yet though :shrug:

I also replaced the wimpy 1" screws on the strike plate with some 3.5" that also go to the 2x4 frame. Dont forget to replace the screws that go into the door also. And my locks all have the anti twist function. Its like a cover over the lock that spins when any force is applied.

Every second you slow them down is 1 less second they have to steal ****.

The real problem is the punishment doesnt fit the crime. If people were branded with "thief" on their forehead it might make some people stop stealing, or cut their hands I dont care either way.

 

[crewchief888]

i was also always told by police to make things "inconvienent" for a burglar, the longer it takes to get in, the more likely they'll get caught, or they'll move on to easier pickings.

neighbors on the other side of me have had stuff stolen out of their cars, they seem to forget to lock them at night, and leave CD's, cell phone chargers, GPS, wallets and everything else laying on the seat.

my truck sits on the street all the time, i dont leave anything laying out for anyone to see.

 

[Garys Garage]

Sitting in my living room now as we speak with my AR15 and 38. One of my neighbors caught the thieves leaving his house. Called the cops and started chase. They caught some and others are in the corn field less than 2 miles from my house. Cops just drove on with spot light and also a Helicopter. They dont want to come here!

 

[Joe From NY]

As one who has breached 100's of doors, I would say the toughest door to breach is an outswing steel door that is in a steel frame. In Atlanta they used them in the housing projects and they were a ***** to breach.
You can get it, but you will make a lot of noise.

Right on regarding the outswing steel doors. In the projects here in NYC, the steel apartment doors all swing in. If we encountered an outswing steel door. we used to use two of these hydra-rams, (rabbit tools) one on each side of the door. We had electric ones where one man carried the ram, and another guy carried the duffel bag with the charged-up batteries and the electric hydraulic pump. We would run up the stairs, place the rams on both sides, and hit the "run" buttons. This spread the door frame apart enough to get a kelly or halligan tool in and try to pop it open. Pretty quiet up until now. If they weren't budging after this, we used to just use brute force with the youngest, strongest guys on the team taking turns swinging the steel ram at it and forcing the door to open in, now that the jambs were spread. Not quiet at all at this point.
In my experience, still the best way to get through an outswing steel door on the street entrance to the apartment building is with a chinese guy on your team wearing a white apron, and carrying a plastic bag of empty chinese food containers. Just start ringing door bells. It got us in every time...

 

[ZRX61]

In my experience, still the best way to get through an outswing steel door on the street entrance to the apartment building is with a chinese guy on your team wearing a white apron, and carrying a plastic bag of empty chinese food containers. Just start ringing door bells. It got us in every time...

Rookie!

With very little forethought you could have sourced hot, tasty, full, steaming chinese food containers on the way to the bust, used them to gain acess as decribed & then eaten the contents once you had finished business.

.. AND lunch would have been on the Dept...

 

[Jackass1983]

just take a motion sensor and let the light go on for about 5min...
And install lights over the doors and Windows....
Nobody wants to stay in the light when trying to brake in...

or get a place like my one, an old militarybunker... you can shot at the doors and nothing will go open...

Cheers Mark

 

[Aberdale]

just take a motion sensor and let the light go on for about 5min...
And install lights over the doors and Windows....
Nobody wants to stay in the light when trying to brake in...

Cheers Mark

Actually, if no one is around to see them, providing light actually makes it easier for them.

 

[bazzateer]

If you fit floodlights make sure they illuminate the building itself and not just the garden. When lights are triggered the neighbours will look at what is illuminated. If it's an empty garden they'll assume an animal set it off. If it's your building and some little sh1t forcing a door/window they're more likely to call 911. The lights that just illuminate the garden actually create shadows at the building making it even easier for the sh1ts.

 

[haugy]

To the original poster. I made bars for my windows. Just took some 1/2" rebar and welded it into a pattern that matched the window panes. Then I painted it white. You can't see that there is rebar there until you get right up to it.

If you don't have window panes, if you make a good square set of bars, it will look like they are. And no-one will be able to tell they are bars. Yes you want the crook to see them, but I can live with a broken window for them to find out it's barred over looking like I was born in the ghetto.

 

[zer0cell]

Here are some totally legal things you can do (in most states NOT dictated by laws created by left wing fanatics):


1. Security Cameras are a good idea for sure. There are some you can purchase that are motion activated, have night vision, and record automatically to your computer or another source. It may sound like it would cost a lot of money but it really doesn't (comparatively speaking, in relation to the value of your tools etc.) You could buy a pretty advanced one for about $150 more or less, depending on the quality/features you want.

2. Reinforce your door framing with the metal strikes plates or similar, installed on both the door itself and the door frame. Putting bars or something similar on the basement window would also be wise.

3. Dogs are a good way to help scare off amateurs but many pros can get around them. If you are allergic to them I guess that's not much of an option unless you want to be on allergy meds all the time.

4. Arm yourself. I own a shotgun personally, and am planning on purchasing a hand gun as well. I already have the one I want picked out but it's a bit too expensive for me at the moment. However, if you go this route make sure you know how to safely use it and don't shoot unless you know what/who you are shooting at. Ya don't want to hurt a family member or friend by accident. Just use common sense.

5. Install a burglar alarm and put a sign outside to let everyone know it. Sure it won't scare away everyone but it will definitely make your house a less obvious target.

6. Don't allow strangers into your home and be careful who you choose as a 'friend' before you let them see everything ya got. My understanding is that a very high percentage of break-ins are from people you know or have allowed into your home. If you do need to have a stranger come in, keep anything valuable out of sight.

With all that said, you don't want to live a life of fear, but seriously if you just take some or all of these precautions you will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim, or if you are victimized, there will be a greater chance that the criminal will either end up in jail or dead. (my preference is that the criminal be dead but keep it legal)

I do not recommend doing the following for legal reasons:

On a side note, I highly wish booby traps were legal. Imagine setting a bed of spikes under the window (like in the movie Death Wish 3). <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000YEEQW?ie=UTF8&tag=hubpages0814-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0000YEEQW">Death Wish 3</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hubpages0814-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000YEEQW" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> Hahaha that series has some funny scenes.

Another idea that I think would rock for a booby trap is to put a motion sensor near the most tempting point of entry, that, when tripped would activate device with an EXTREMELY powerful high pitched sound, so powerful that it would cause PERMANENT hearing loss. Hahaha I'd love that, not to mention it would wake you up 2 floors up where you could deactivate it and have enough time to... well lets just say, the spider has a fly in his web

I'll stop now... I have so many ideas for booby traps I'd make the kid from home alone look like a true amateur, not to mention an angel...

 

[Joe From NY]

Rookie!

With very little forethought you could have sourced hot, tasty, full, steaming chinese food containers on the way to the bust, used them to gain acess as decribed & then eaten the contents once you had finished business.

.. AND lunch would have been on the Dept...

Yeah, but these guys can really eat, if they eat first, then i have a team full of lazy , tired guys looking to take a nap. Sitting around the office after eating chinese food, they are even too sluggish to walk across the room to rip a f@rt. They all get the "itis" and want to call it a day. I have learned that the best policy is that the food comes after the work gets done.
We are there for a couple of hours, and if we held the food until after, it would get cold by the time we get out. Also, they would rush too much and miss things in a hurry to wrap up if they smell the hot food, and know it is waiting. We keep a supply of cleaned out containers and plastic shopping bags in the office for when we need them. They are usually a last resort for a fortified front door, or a very busy sidewalk, full of kids with cell phones hanging out..

 

[rwhite692]

....U put the cameras high enough they will never see them.....

Isn't the main idea of placing security cameras around your property, is so that they are VISIBLE and produce a strong deterrent effect, so that the potential thieves will move on to an easier target?

All you are going to have with hidden cameras, (unless you are going to sit there in a chair, and watch the monitor 24x7x365, with your shotgun in your lap), is a grainy recorded video of the theives in action, breaking in and stealing your stuff, AFTER the fact.

Most of the time these videos are not clear enough to identify the criminal(s) 100% or be of any real use to police afterwards. Useful for filing an insurance claim, I guess.

 

[michael Mccoy]

If you are allergic to dogs it most likely is the shedding of hair, Poodles do not shed and a standard poodle can get up to 75 lbs, they are not all lap dogs unless you want them to be.