House got broke into...again

[huntnelk]

Two times in four years in a small town that might see 5 burglaries a year!! Guess I have pissed off someone.  Thursday night my wife came home from messing aroud all day and walked by the front door and heard something that sounded like the back gate closing but didn't think anything off it ( she was having a asthma attack so she was kinda in a panic already) until she got to the back door and saw that it was open.  She went back to the truck get a pistol so she could clear the house (i love that woman) but thankfully changed her mind and called the Law.  They came and cleared the downstairs went back and talked to the wife and she asked about the upstairs and the Law didn't think you could get upstairs so they didn't check it but decided they would then.  Luckly my wife interupted they bad guy and nothing happened to her and nothing got stole.  Any advise on a security system, the town is to small for one of the big name companies so it will have to be a do it yourself set up.  I already have motion lights on both doors and deadbolts on both doors, and a tacti-cool yorkie, but nothing for when we are gone.  Thanks for any info.

[fightingquaker13]

Big ass dog? That's not a flip suggestion either. A Belgian or German shepard from good breeding aren't cheap, but if you are a dog person and work with them? You can't ask for better at security. If you duck hunt and have some serious dog experience, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. As American as the lab. They were just bred to guard the boat as well as fetching the ducks by the old market hunters. Picture a 90 pound brown curly haired lab with a Pit's disposition. They are great bird dogs, a bit headstrong, but smart, and I pity the fool that breaks into a house guarded by a Chessie. They will "fetch" burlars as easily as a goose.
FQ13

[TAB]

Reality, we can throw 100k into your house and some one will still get in.  Trust me, I've repaired just about every break in you can think.  When you make the doors/windows hard to break in, they will go thru the wall.  Had one client that had them tunnel into the basement from out side with a back hoe.  They made it look like they were working on the drain line.

How did they get in?

[ellis4538]

Been broken into myself at 2 different locations.  Glad things worked out for the best.  I'd say land mines but would settle for a big dog, barred windowes, electrified fence and a moat!  No kidding!  One of the individuals is still lurking nexr door!

Richard

PS:  He was implicated in a murder but cleared!  He knows I have guns also cause he took 2 when he broke in.

[Solus]

Often burglaries are committed by local kids looking for thrills and spending cash.  

TAB's backhoe caper was obviously a more dedicated crew.

Also, if they broke in once, they are very likely to return.  I'd be expecting a return engagement by that guy next door, ellis4538.

You might want to consider hidden video cameras inside.  Might not stop them, but could help identify them and convict them.

External cameras might be a deterrent but if they can be spotted they can be defeated by wearing a hood and then destroyed.

The GE Simon security system is one you might consider.   It is reasonably prices and is user installable.  It used your home wiring for it's connections and communication.  Along with the monitors and sensors, a few loud sirens will go a long way to discouraging someone from hanging around.  Place a siren or two where they broadcast outside, maybe in the peak vents of the attic if they can be powered up there.

Here is a link to a site that gives some discussion about the features of the Simon system.  Do a google search on   ge simon   to look for the best prices and to locate different components.

http://www.protectamerica.com/pa/ge_simon_xt/ge-simon-xt

If your power shutoff is outside or if your power can be easily shut off from outside, you might want to consider alarms that will sound on battery power if the main is disconnected.

[Sponsor]

[ratcatcher55]

Big ass dog? That's not a flip suggestion either. A Belgian or German shepard from good breeding aren't cheap, but if you are a dog person and work with them? You can't ask for better at security. If you duck hunt and have some serious dog experience, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. As American as the lab. They were just bred to guard the boat as well as fetching the ducks by the old market hunters. Picture a 90 pound brown curly haired lab with a Pit's disposition. They are great bird dogs, a bit headstrong, but smart, and I pity the fool that breaks into a house guarded by a Chessie. They will "fetch" burlars as easily as a goose.
FQ13

A barking dog works well. I had a Chessie for 8 years and FQ is correct, they are very protective of what they think is theirs or their pack. Mine was a love bug when I was around but extremely protective of my wife when I was not there. He ended up biting someone who walked into the house in front of my wife as we came home from dinner.  The same woman had been playing with him not two hours before.


They are not curly coated Labs!  If you don't hunt I would not recommend one for a house pet. They need a job and some fairly heavy exersise to keep them on an even keel. The breed is smart but very stubborn. They want to do things like retrieve their way and that worked for me. My labs were easier to train, the Chesapeake was a much better athlete.

I now have a Red Heeler now who thinks she's as big as the 90 pound Chessie.  Works as a good alarm system and is also very protective. She is just as thick headed as the Chessie but in a 25 pound package.

HE, if they got in twice before I would say the odds are they will be back

[toad]

I've always heard that a barking dog is the best way to go. If I was in your situation, I'd get a big dog and make sure he is loud if someone goes near the house. I told my brother if he didn't want a dog, then leave the TV on, get a couple of the dog barking audio CD's to play , put a big dog food bowl and water dish on the back porch and have a neighbor with a dog take a few dumps in your yard for more evidence.

[crusader rabbit]

I'd generally echo what FQ said with the same modification noted by ratcatcher55.  If you are not going to be regularly hunting with your dog, you don't want a hunting dog.  They DO need a job, and will invent one for themselves--like excavating your carpet, eating through your door or wall, modifying your sofa, etc. 

My pup is the one you see in my avatar photo.  He's 75 pounds of mixed--mostly Chinese Shar Pei, but he got something nice and mellow from his dad--just no idea what it might be.  My dog has a very throaty bark that would/should dissuade all but the most determined BG.  He's protective in the extreme of everything he considers his territory, and woe to the person who ever attempts to mess with Bunny.

Check your local pound for a pup.  Get something you mostly recognize as a breed you could live with.  Doggy temperaments are not always breed specific, but they are a good guide.  Any of your shepherd breeds should do the job as will most of the other larger breeds.  Stay away from anything with "pit" in its name or description.  I'd probably stay away from Chow-chows, too. 

For what it's worth from a dog-loving Crusader.

[r_w]

Small town, I'm going to guess it is someone that knows you (or knows someone who knows you) and that you have guns or goodies they want.

Guard dog, train him/her WELL.  Only bark when someone comes on the property, doesn't attack (only defends) but doesn't let them in the house without your permission.  Doesn't have to be that big, just big enough attitude.   

LOCK YOUR DOORS!!!  Solid core doors, long-@ss screws in the hinges, deadbolt, regular striker tight enough you can't card the door if you forget the deadbolt.  That is $25 per door. 

Cheap webcams on the front and back doors. 

Change up your schedule.  MOST thieves don't want a confrontation and will move on to another unoccupied house if they can't figure out your pattern. 

Make sure guns/jewels are locked up in something big enough to take a LOT of motivation to move.  Make sure all other valubles are inventoried well for insurance and police reports. 

[huntnelk]

TAB, they came through the back door with no signs of forced entry.  The person who broke in the first time was in jail I am told this time so it wasn't him.  Funny thing 3 of my neighbors said they had people outside there house milling around the night before.  I think they crook was just casing the night before and saw that we were gone and chose us.  I had been at elk camp for 6 days at the time so none of my trucks had moved.  Some think that it was just someone passing through but I have my doubts.  There are a couple of houses on these 3 blocks that have some shady folks living there.  For some reason I just have a gut feeling I could walk you to the door of the A--holes.  That is the one good thing about a small town you know who most of the trouble makers are.  Thanks for all the ideas about a Chessie, I am a avid waterfowl hunter and have been thinking about a dog but I don't think it will solve my problem since most of the time I am gone I am hunting so the dog will probably be with me.