NGC-Attempted burglary

[redrider]

Yesterday afternoon. Wife left at 1300 and I came home at 1430 and noticed wood chips and screwdriver marks on the front door and jamb. Police called, officer arrived 20 minutes later and report filed. So, any one using Armor Concepts products? I have been thinking on this along with installing a steel clad door. Yesterday made up my mind.

[charlie b]

Will keep most amateurs out (which is what you had).

Large crowbars will spring almost any door/lock.  For stubborn stuff one of those 48" off road jacks works as well.

Daughter had he house broken into twice in two years.  Second time the thiefs used a winch cable and jerked the door jam until it opened.  Now they have an alarm system with video and haven't been broken into since.

Unless you are going to add bars over all the windows the door is just a feel good thing.

We have security doors but they are just there so that anyone entering will have to make some noise.  When we leave home the security and video system is set.  Again, just keeps amateurs out.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Get  a trunk monkey for your house.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y

[Toystoretom]

So... in a hour and a half someone tried to get into your house. Someone is watching you come and go, probably a neighbor kid who has a drug habit. I would just pick one out of the herd and and let the peke chew on him until he talks. And if he doesn't talk, its fun for the peke.

[redrider]

Thanks for the info, JN.

[canuguzzi]

Armoring your doors does nothing for the windows which are amazing simple to open unless you have casement type.

Alarm systems likewise, do nothing until someone activates them. You can put up a small placard on your access doors saying you have video running, it will accomplish the same thing. How many times does an alarm, even the kind that notifies the police result in the burglar being caught in the act?

Almost never.

Deterrence works best and if that isn't enough then whatever else you have is all after the fact. Watching a video of someone who took your things or damaged them isn't worth much, someone got in and that feeling won't go away nor make you any safer.

Deterrence is less costly, helps prevent the burglary which is the best situation.

Motion activated lights, and even a simple placard is just as effective as an alarm at prevention. When the alarm goes off, they are already inside right? Once that happens, they will take what they came for and leave, there is plenty of time.

Does the burglar stop because you actually have an alarm or video system or because that is what they believe and walk away from the risk? Video is cheap these days if you want it.

The people that tried to get in are amateurs, pros would have been in and out and you'd not know they were there except for the missing items.

If you want an alarm, do yourself a favor, a simple switch for a loud outside phone ringer will do. You turn it on and leave. If the doors are opened, it goes off and rings like its time to feed every dog in town. Cost you maybe $50. Your entire neighborhood will hear it.

If you don't have one, a great thing is neighborhood watch. Nothing beats concerned and organized neighbours at keeping the punks away.

Last thing. They will be back. They will be back within 6 weeks, almost guaranteed. They won't be back within a week though, they know you'll be vigilant so now is the time to do those simple things so when they return, and they will, that they decide to try elsewhere.

[groundhog105]

+1 on simplisafe.  Very easy self install and much cheaper than any other service to monitor and it is wifi. No wires

[rboe]

You can make the door much harder so like water seeking its' level, they will go to the next easiest route - the windows. In AZ some homes are just stucco over foam. Just kick a hole in the wall. 

If you are rural, it's tough. A robust dog is probably your best best. Too bad rock salt in a shot gun is frowned upon today.

[canuguzzi]

Simplisafe is easily hacked. Relying on anything that uses WiFi for security is only as good until it is hacked and then that single hack compromises everyone that has it.

That is why mechanical locks are better than those new fancy digital locks. With mechanical locks you have to get a key for each one or pick them individually. With an electronic lock, once the hack is out, it is a master key for all the systems.

This is why good alarm system still use wires where the wires are run inside walls with no outside exposure.

These inexpensive alarm systems that use WiFi sound so easy to use but don't really accomplish much. Kids and amateurs might be dissuaded but then a good lock and sign will do the same. The more sophisticates burglars laugh at WiFi alarm systems with good reason, they don't work other than to make you feel good.

[blackcat]

We have an alarm/fire system, a dog and I recently installed a camera that works on the wifi system in the house which sends me a text if there is any unusual activity. It also stores data.  Yeah, I have lots of cat texts/video but we were getting car break ins around here until they caught the gang. 

[wavedog]

If someone is determined to get into your house they will. A recently widowed friend had her house cleaned out by burglers in broad daylight. Her house was alarmed, neighborhood watched and everything else. They went in thru a vent opening in the short concrete wall that supported the house, cut a hole in the floor, backed a moving van up to the front door and emptied the house of everything. Guns, computers, furniture, tools, clothing, food, dishes, appliances - everything. She was gone from home about three hours. The neighbors thought that she was moving so they didn't do anything. Imagine her surprise when she opened the front door. Completely empty except for the dust bunnies. All she was left with was the clothes on her back, her car and a bank account that was hacked and stolen-another form of burglary.