Theives; ever been a victim? What did you do after?

I've been reading on many forums I belong to about thefts.  Guitars, kayaks, motorcycles, RV's, etc.  Sometimes it's homes broken into, other times cars parked away from home or in the driveway. 

On Friday our neighborhood street was 'hit' by thieves.  4 cars were burglarized, 2 were homes adjoining properties to mine! 

Some time ago, I left my garage door open and someone stole my chainsaw and bench grinder.  I've also had my son's car broke into to steal CD's while parked in front of my house. 

A neighbor across the street had his house broken into a couple years ago. 

with these thefts on the rise, for what ever reason; economy, drug users, punk kids showing off, I've taken and am taking a few steps.

We formed a neighborhood watch, which is how I've been able to find out that my neighbors were robbed. 

I installed motion detector lights at each of the 4 corners of the house. (Which is probably why my cars weren't hit on Friday and the neighbors were; the lights are BRIGHT!!  Sensitive enough that the cat can trip them by either body heat or motion and they stay on for 4 or 5 minutes before turning back off.  (No testing the zone of coverage that trips them that way)

I am currently installing a driveway gate w/electric motor.  In the process of designing the system, I've decided that I do NOT want a public-side keypad or intercom.  If the gate is closed, go away!  If you ignore the gate, expect to hear gunfire.  I'll post a sign;
TRESPASSERS WILL BE VIOLATED
(that ought to give some pause for thought)
I will have a trip on the public side of the gate that sets off a chime in the house so I know someone is up there and a remote to allow me to open the gate if I choose.  Since I can see the top of the driveway from the house, even though it's about 150' away, I don't think I'll put in a camera.  Well, maybe a fake camera that makes folks THINK they are being watched or recorded. 

So, who's been a victim and what have you done since?

the best no trespassing sign I've seen was on a ranch gate in the Panamints where Manson once stayed.
it read: TRESPASSERS WILL BE DEALT WITH"

When I bought my house I made a point of meeting my neighbors and they have my number.  A little goodwill goes a long way, a fish or crab here and there...  be friendly with the regular dog walkers/joggers, etc..  We watch out for each other and strangers stick out like sore thumbs.

When I bought my house I made a point of meeting my neighbors and they have my number.  A little goodwill goes a long way, a fish or crab here and there...  be friendly with the regular dog walkers/joggers, etc..  We watch out for each other and strangers stick out like sore thumbs.

+1.
There is a facebook page for my neighborhood, and just Tuesday they alerted all that 4 guys in an unmarked van were knocking on doors "looking for extra tree work".
 I translate this as methspeak for "casing the place". No logo on the vehicle, no logos on any of the guy's shirts=no Bueno.

My Apartment complex (Hayward) was having small petty-theft issues in some of the vehicles in the parking lot during the night, and someone was urinating in a hallway (to piss off the land-lord, no pun intended). They installed 'fake' security cameras that were big & easy to see on the corners of the buildings - phony wire coming out of it into the wall, etc. Problems stopped immediately. Some of my students parents have REAL cameras set up above their front doors/back doors, I know it's a deduction for their home insurance or something, not sure if they pay month-to-month for a security service, or if the video is just fed to a personal computer. Having grown up in Lake County (similar to Placer County), a bulk of the thefts were meth-addicts stealing things to re-sell quick for crank. Not sure if they'd even consider looking for a camera, in which case, a BIG dog with a ferocious bark should do the trick.

Our house has never been robbed, nothing missing outside, nothing ever... I have a beagle... LOUD beagle, security lights, cameras, guns shot in the wee hours periodically, and informed decent neighbors. Probably helps that all our shit came from a garage sale Ain't worth much   and would be a hassle to even get out of the house There are rumors of the last guy to try getting shot then beat and left on the RR tracks for dead If they want your stuff, they will come for it. Even Camera footage isn't proof in court. Meth/drugs are the real problem. Report users to cops and be proactive in stranger ID... Walking out and taking a picture of a strange vehicle in the area makes them run and not return most of the time. Stay safe out there and don't confront. Call PD!

Nothing beats a BIG Dog, .45 and a sign that reads "Hell with the dog, beware of the owner."

location location location...never had anything stolen in my life.....but I tend to avoid parking a car anywhere snakey and dont leave anything in plain sight when I park...Oh and I lock my house/gates/sheds...nothing big/or fancy on the gates and  sheds ...a simple visible hasp and key lock seems to send a message.... just seems to avoid folks thinking the next hurdle will be unlocked...always next time though...dogs are the best alarm/locks  imho

 My LilRiver place have been broken into several times over the years. Although we have had it since 1970.
Once in 2009, they broke in after a major remodel. Stole a brand new queen bed and our generator. We are off the grid. Our gate was out of site of the main road.  Put in a second gate at the road, steel posts in concrete to keep them from driving around the gates, much heavier chains on the gate and carbide locks that are supposes to be difficult to cut. Got hit again last year at one of the two cabins there. Gates did their job. They only stole sleeping bags and misc.  Found a garbage bag full of wet toilet paper, DVD's etc by the first.   gate. Too heavy and obvious to lug out. Neighbor later found the sleeping bags laid out on the ground near his place. Meth heads !!

Since then I've put in solar powered cameras with an uplink. Camera at the  gate has a blinking LED on it, so at night they can tell it's working. Put up signs with pictures of cameras on them on the road in and a large sign that reads as follows on the first gate and in the cabins windows

                Warning !

This property is under video surveillance

If you can see this sign, a solar power backed, wireless to satellite uplink is sending your picture to our home computer.

Multiple cameras are located throughout the property. Motion sensors simultaneously activate all cameras in the network.
Infrared ( invisible to the human eye ) allows for crystal clear night time pictures.

Guests are welcome. We enjoy our neighbor’s company !
However, If you steal from us ( AGAIN ) or damage or our property, pictures of you, with date and time stamps will be emailed to the
     El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

 Back in Fremont we just put a security door on the side door to the garage, because typical side doors are behind yard gates and not visible to good neighbors, and once thieves get into a garage they are out site and can take their time accessing the rest of the house.

. Even Camera footage isn't proof in court.

I would go back to the law school you graduated from and demand your tuition back in full.

1. Alarm system
2. Video surveillance
3. Motion detected lights
4. Dog
5. Reinforced exterior doors
6. No lift out windows
7. Warning signs (many)
8. Safe room, home invasion plan, self defense strategy

I spent a year hardening my house and making it unattractive to criminals. A pair of video cams with intercom at the front door has been very useful in deciding whether to open the door. We had several robberies in my neighborhood. Some of my neighbors have done nothing so easy pickings are right down the street.

This is a depressing thread

This is a depressing thread

....but reality.

Shoot. Shovel. Shutup. I don't believe in repeat offenders but survivors are good for spreading the word of where not to go.

Remember that California does not have a Castle defense doctrine.

Remember that California does not have a Castle defense doctrine.

PC §198.5-

"Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.