Planning to avoid thefts?

[magnusk750]

I hope I can start building a 3-4 car shop this summer and I've started figuring on the layout. Want to build it as proof as possible and one issue is how to place the shop. I live in village of about 2000 people, on one of the three main roads leading into the village. Quite a lot of people passing along my place, wich might be good, or maybe bad, I'm not sure.

The shop will be about 100 m from the road and 20-30 m from my living house with almost free sight from the road.

What do you think, is it better to make it with the doors towards the road or towards my living house?

With the doors toward the road people will be able to see from time to time what's inside, when doors are open while working in the warm half of the year. On the other side, if a crook starts bending and cutting on a door he will be rather visible. If I place the building so that doors are towards my house some kind of a yard will be created, that can be nice and maybe make the crook feel he can easily be trapped in the more closed space. But, same time, he's not so visible and if noone's at home he can do what he like until the alarm starts screaming.

 

[Az Scooter]

Put it on the side facing your house with a big motion sensor to turn on the lights if someone breaks the beam. That way, if you are in the house, and the lights go on, you will know that someone is in the yard. It will be easy to look and see if it is someone you want to confront, or are willing to wait for Barney to come with his bullet. It also would be a bit more difficult for prying eyes to see what is in the shop.

 

[Old Moparz]

I agree, face the doors out of view & have a motion sensor for a floodlight. What can't be seen, won't be desired. Also, if you have plans for windows, you can always install them higher up on the wall. You'll still get natural light, but people won't be able to walk up & peer inside without a ladder.

 

[m.james]

Also Planting trees can disguise some of you property plus you get some added shade.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Add an alarm.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Add an alarm.

And a dog kennel. For your attack mutt.

 

[OccupantRJ]

My shop door is in plain sight of the road, and I hate that it is so visible to the public. Feels like I'm on stage. I will be devising a screening of some sort. I also took all the windows out on the remodel of the building.

 

[magnusk750]

Alarm is already in the house and will be extended to the shop. Doors will probably be tough metal framed wooden doors. Windows will be glass blocks (Is that the correct name? You know quadratic block of glass mounted with stainles steel bars between them. Very tricky to break through. Doors facing the house. Motion sensor controlled lights. Kennel is not an option, I'm too much away from home, threes I think will make it too disguised. Largely, I think we are there. Soon begins the fun, sketching and planning the layout!

 

[Chris Adams]

I hope I can start building a 3-4 car shop this summer and I've started figuring on the layout. Want to build it as proof as possible and one issue is how to place the shop. I live in village of about 2000 people, on one of the three main roads leading into the village. Quite a lot of people passing along my place, wich might be good, or maybe bad, I'm not sure.

The shop will be about 100 m from the road and 20-30 m from my living house with almost free sight from the road.

What do you think, is it better to make it with the doors towards the road or towards my living house?

With the doors toward the road people will be able to see from time to time what's inside, when doors are open while working in the warm half of the year. On the other side, if a crook starts bending and cutting on a door he will be rather visible. If I place the building so that doors are towards my house some kind of a yard will be created, that can be nice and maybe make the crook feel he can easily be trapped in the more closed space. But, same time, he's not so visible and if noone's at home he can do what he like until the alarm starts screaming.

Totally backwards on the closed in, and the tree suggestion in a previous post.
Consult with local law enforcement for better advice, they actually like when people ask them BEFORE the stuff hits the fan.


Crooks hate visibility, love cover. Shrubs, trees, parked cars, ornamental stuff, anything, is wonderful for crooks.
Gives them something to hide behind, lets them crouch till the car goes past, then go back to breaking in.

Any cop will tell you, clear vision, nothing to hide behind is the way to go.

Think about it. If you were sneaking up on a house, do you want to do it in plain sight, or with cover.

Face the door to your house. Crooks ranging from middle school kids to pros 'case' the place.
Letting people driving by see your tools, etc. is a 'steal me' sign.

No windows if you can help it. If you MUST have windows, put ornamental iron on them.
Make sure no one can see in through a window. Ever.
Glass is the crooks biggest friend.

 

[Fastback]

On the other hand if it is a building (Like so many here in the US) with vinyl siding over foam board sheathing, anybody with a box knife can just cut in on the back side....

(How are you going to construct it?)

 

[HuskerMedic]

I was a police officer for 14 years in another life. Although it's been awhile, and my jurisdiction was an ocean away from you, I'll share what I recall.

Garages/shops were more of what I call "targets of opportunity" when it came to theft. Meaning that, people didn't usually set out to burglarize a shop/garage, but when the opportunity happened to present itself, they took advantage of it.

This means that your attitude can go a long ways towards preventing theft.

You already mentioned strong doors/windows. That will go along way but...make sure you're using them. Meaning, make sure all doors are locked if you're away from the shop...even for just a minute or two. That way, when Joe from down the street just stops by to see if he can borrow a wrench, and finds the place unlocked and you gone for "just a minute" to the hardware store, he won't decide that instead of borrowing the wrench, he can use his five finger discount to own it.

Be very selective about who you allow access to the shop...even when you're there. Most thieves are lazy...if they weren't they would be doing honest work to make their money. They won't want to go throught all the trouble of breaking in, just to find out there's nothing worth stealing. If you allow access to any Tom, ****, or Harry, you're in effect allowing every Tom, ****, and Harry to case your place, to see if there's anything worth stealing.

If it were me, I would place the shop so the doors are visible to your house. Growing up, thirty + years ago, we had a busybody old lady in our neighborhood. Although everybody purported to hate her, she was in fact the neighborhood watch dog. She knew everybody and everyone who should be coming and going, and during the day she would watch everything and be on the telephone to the cops if anyone not "local" was around. Unfortunately, neighbors seem to be more transient these days, and people tend to have more of an attitude of "I don't want to get involved". So, I would rely more on my own people to keep watch, and not the neighbors and /or passersby. This may vary from where you live.

 

[ddawg16]

I was a police officer for 14 years in another life. Although it's been awhile, and my jurisdiction was an ocean away from you, I'll share what I recall.

Garages/shops were more of what I call "targets of opportunity" when it came to theft. Meaning that, people didn't usually set out to burglarize a shop/garage, but when the opportunity happened to present itself, they took advantage of it.

This means that your attitude can go a long ways towards preventing theft.

You already mentioned strong doors/windows. That will go along way but...make sure you're using them. Meaning, make sure all doors are locked if you're away from the shop...even for just a minute or two. That way, when Joe from down the street just stops by to see if he can borrow a wrench, and finds the place unlocked and you gone for "just a minute" to the hardware store, he won't decide that instead of borrowing the wrench, he can use his five finger discount to own it.

Be very selective about who you allow access to the shop...even when you're there. Most thieves are lazy...if they weren't they would be doing honest work to make their money. They won't want to go throught all the trouble of breaking in, just to find out there's nothing worth stealing. If you allow access to any Tom, ****, or Harry, you're in effect allowing every Tom, ****, and Harry to case your place, to see if there's anything worth stealing.

If it were me, I would place the shop so the doors are visible to your house. Growing up, thirty + years ago, we had a busybody old lady in our neighborhood. Although everybody purported to hate her, she was in fact the neighborhood watch dog. She knew everybody and everyone who should be coming and going, and during the day she would watch everything and be on the telephone to the cops if anyone not "local" was around. Unfortunately, neighbors seem to be more transient these days, and people tend to have more of an attitude of "I don't want to get involved". So, I would rely more on my own people to keep watch, and not the neighbors and /or passersby. This may vary from where you live.

I concure......basically....crooks are lazy.....they are not going to waste time trying to steal something unless they have an idea of what you have....if they don't see it....they most likely won't try to break in.

Think about cars....excluding the ones that get broke into to take the whole car....I have NEVER taken a veh burg report on a car where the object of attention was not visible....the most common mistake is people leave it on the back seat or dash....it's not hard to see these guys....you see them walking beteen cars looking down inside as they walk by....

But that does not stop the guy that wants to break in because he sees a big garage so figures that has to be 'something' in there....in which case, it does not matter where you put the doors....he is going to get in. He will most likley watch your house...figure out your schedule...wait for you to leave...then break in.

As for a cop passing by and seeing this? Most crooks of this type are good enough that they make it look like they belong there...most will even wave at the cop....some will even take the time to BS with them....about the only way he will know something is wrong is if he personally knows you....

So...put those doors facing the house...you will find that a lot more comfortable...so will your wife...she will be able to look out and see what your doing....might come in handy if you drop a car on your foot and need help.

 

[Chris Adams]

Listen to the voice of experience there, in the last two posts.

 

[magnusk750]

I will build it from concrete blocks, 12 inch thick. We have a police station in the village they dont seem to move around a lot, but I havgood neighbours. My alarm is connected to a security company that are on guard from 6pm to 8 am, but mostly it takes them about 10 minutes to arrive. So far I ve had nearly no problem, owned the house for eight years. A window was smashed the first year but it was before we had moved in. The house was absolutely empty so I could just put a new glass in.

 

[little d]

someone mentioned a dog. best alarm/anti theft device ever made!

 

[Grinder Bill]

The previous suggestions are all valid, and are all part of your solution... Call it a multi-barrier philosophy: the more barriers and deterents you place in a thiefs path, the more likely he is to move onto the next property.

Consider adding a gate and keep it closed and locked. Anyone passing by will immediately see barrier #1. This may well be the best deterent you can install.

And check out dual-key deadbolt locks (as in you need a key to get out if you're locked in). A thief may enter through a window but they're not leaving through the door.

Along with a gate, motion detecting lights, an alarm system and a 100 lb German Shepherd, I invested in a couple web-enabled cameras with built-in motion sensing capability. They email a picture to my Blackberry when triggered.

Cheers
/b

 

[5lima30]

I'd have the door facing the house. Thats what I did with mine. In my 23 years as a LEO I found that the majority of thieves are extremely lazy and would seek easier targets of oppurtunity. I also found that if they committed a successful theft they would return and hit again. One victim I met had some tools taken from a metal shed which he had gained entry by pulling up the bottom of the door. The victim fastened single edge razor blades along the bottom edge. Approximately 2 weeks later he found a significant amount of blood and his property still intact. (I am not encouraging this but simply sharing my experience.)

 

[Chris Adams]

I'd have the door facing the house. Thats what I did with mine. In my 23 years as a LEO I found that the majority of thieves are extremely lazy and would seek easier targets of oppurtunity. I also found that if they committed a successful theft they would return and hit again. One victim I met had some tools taken from a metal shed which he had gained entry by pulling up the bottom of the door. The victim fastened single edge razor blades along the bottom edge. Approximately 2 weeks later he found a significant amount of blood and his property still intact. (I am not encouraging this but simply sharing my experience.)

While I would personally be happy to shoot the SOB thief, readers may want to keep in mind that in many states doing that would get you several years in prison, as well as the thief would sue you for every cent you have, and would easily win.

This is a very leftist society, act accordingly.
Set gun laws (anything involving a 'booby trap') are beyond politically correct into psychotic.
You will be treated worse than a child molester or a mere murder, if you even injure a criminal that way, so be careful out there.

 

[srmofo]

Another vote for facing the house. Mines 15' off the street and I hate it other than easy access to back the trailer/landscaping equipment in

I keep seeing people mention double dead bolts on garages. I just dont see how they do anything but make it a hassle. Theres several doors on the place and if you have even one on an automatic opener, then thats the way they're going out with "their" loot.

If its more of a shop and less of garage with no openers. Then the big doors would probably also be on lock and key so it could help.....if you dont leave tools laying around to help break out.

 

[gatewaysysop]

And check out dual-key deadbolt locks (as in you need a key to get out if you're locked in). A thief may enter through a window but they're not leaving through the door.

Throw in my vote for this. I even got them on the outside gates (funny that most people don't do this, you can just hop the fence and unlock the other side ). Don't be cheap on the deadbolts either, get something good and maybe even commercial grade. Much more resistant to break-in attempts (bumping, twisting, brute force, etc.) and far higher quality. Deadbolts are not the place to cheap out.

I'd also suggest reinforcing your doorjambs to prevent kick in (or kick out if they enter through a window and don't have the key).

 

[JeremyManning]

get a dog and let it sleep in the shop

 

[crewchief888]

my garage doors face the street, i dont leave the door open,unless i'm inthe garage, and theres usually at least one vehicle in the driveway blocking the view from the street if i'm in the garage.
very seldom i have anything worth seeing outside the garage, ie: welder, toolbox ect.
out of sight, out of mind......

 

[rickycobra]

A dog and motion sensor lights otta do the trick.

 

[Colonial Cobra]

These guys have the best do it your self alarm systems available. Work great and you can taylor the system to your needs.

http://x10.com/homepage.htm

 

[jam0o0]

if you are going to bother with cameras make sure they are quality. my truck was stolen from my apartment complex a month after we moved in. one of the things that swayed us to this community was the very visible and extensive video surveillance system. the day after the truck was stolen i went into the office to watch the video and and had the cops come to get the picture of the offender. little did i know that the cameras don't work well at night if the object isn't within 10'. also they are of such poor quality that i couldn't even recognize my 4 door RED pickup from 25'.

the more annoying your place is to see and the more annoying to get in and out of the less likely it is to be robbed.

 

[ddawg16]

These guys have the best do it your self alarm systems available. Work great and you can taylor the system to your needs.

http://x10.com/homepage.htm

They are the Harbor Freight of video cameras.....as Jam pointed out....don't expect a lot of performance.....

Have a look at Trendnet just to get some ideas.....

 

[magnusk750]

A few comments:

Windows: I wont have any ususal windows, instead 2-3 made of glass blocks (? still doont know if thats the correct name for it in english) see

http://www.skrivoskruv.se/glasbetong.html

Sorry for text in swedish in the url above but you see what prooduct I mean. These blocks when used in outside conditions is held in place with bars of stainless steel between every second row if I remember it right. The bars are secured in the wall that will be made of concrete blocks, 2 x 1 x 1 ft/each.

Dog: not an option. I'd love to have one, I've had one, but due to lot of traveling I couldn't keep him when I divorced. (My exwife neither could keep him) Divorce was a piece of cake compared to letting the dog go

I have a gate, but so for far I've not bothered to keep it locked, sometimes not even closed, but I know I ought to make it an habit.

For the rest of your suggestions, I'm reading and learning, most seem reasonable and will be applied.