Intruder Alert!

[cmhbob]

Every time I see this thread title, I think of an old arcade game called Berserk where you were running from robots who had this very mechanical voice that said "Intruder alert! Intruder alert!"

 

[Dagwood56]

Ummm......I don't think most people take a camera with them when they answer the door and considering many of these people work in pairs and while one keeps the homeowner distracted at the door the other is breaking in at the back, asking them to wait and saying "I'll be right back" so you can go grab your camera or phone, really isn't a good idea......just saying

Camera inside on a shelf aimed at the door. There are cell phone apps that allow your cell phone to to act as a remote for your camera. Then there are also security cameras that are motion activated and look like a rock in a flower pot or garden and are not pricey.

Well, that's all well and good if you own a cell phone. Believe it or not, some of us don't. And many people can't afford or really do not have a need for security cameras. I live in a very rural area and we rarely have anyone come to the door. When someone does come to my door I go out on the porch to them [day time only], I do not let them inside and I keep firmly ahold of the doorknob for a quick retreat if needed. If an occasional driver or misplaced pizza delivery person shows up after dark and knocks for directions, I call thru the door to them, but will not open it.

 

[skieur]

Ummm......I don't think most people take a camera with them when they answer the door and considering many of these people work in pairs and while one keeps the homeowner distracted at the door the other is breaking in at the back, asking them to wait and saying "I'll be right back" so you can go grab your camera or phone, really isn't a good idea......just saying

Camera inside on a shelf aimed at the door. There are cell phone apps that allow your cell phone to to act as a remote for your camera. Then there are also security cameras that are motion activated and look like a rock in a flower pot or garden and are not pricey.

Well, that's all well and good if you own a cell phone. Believe it or not, some of us don't. And many people can't afford or really do not have a need for security cameras. I live in a very rural area and we rarely have anyone come to the door. When someone does come to my door I go out on the porch to them [day time only], I do not let them inside and I keep firmly ahold of the doorknob for a quick retreat if needed. If an occasional driver or misplaced pizza delivery person shows up after dark and knocks for directions, I call thru the door to them, but will not open it.

Well with regard to security cameras, a dentist we know without cameras had his house burglarized to the bare walls when he was on a holiday. With security cameras they could have probably identified the perpetrators. Since they didn't, their cottage got totally burglarized a little while later. (Probably the same crooks). I am sure that the cost of security cameras was far less than the cost of his increase in insurance as well as the cost of recovery from the thefts.

Living in a rural area can mean your house is vulnerable. Our friends had 2 supposed Jehova Witnesses going around trying to convert at the door, except that when no one came to the door they broke in to steal cash and jewelry.

Your house in a rural area is also quite vulnerable when your neighbor on one side is in Florida for 2 months every year and at the cottage for month. Your neighbor on the other side only shows up in June for about 6 weeks.

Some residents have their homes subject to vandalism from rowdy teens in the immediate area too.

One resident took a photo off his security camera, went around to the local schools, succeeded in having the principal identify the student and then called the police and had him charged.

Bottom line is there are all kinds of ways to discourage burglary or intruders but security cameras are the only method to possibly identify them.

 

[snowbear116 47]

Well with regard to security cameras, a dentist we know without cameras had his house burglarized to the bare walls when he was on a holiday. With security cameras they could have probably identified the perpetrators.

Around here, they steal the cameras, too.

 

[skieur]

Well with regard to security cameras, a dentist we know without cameras had his house burglarized to the bare walls when he was on a holiday. With security cameras they could have probably identified the perpetrators.

Around here, they steal the cameras, too.

That problem is easy to solve. HD security cameras come extremely small and can be easily hidden. Some examples are smoke detectors, wall "electrical" face plates, coat hooks, simple clocks, ac adapters and apparent recharging plugs, etc.

 

[Dagwood56]

Well, people in my area don't normally go away for longer than the weekend - farm community, lots of animals and other farm work to take care of on a daily basis and in my personal case, if someone wanted to steal anything of value, they'd have to bring it into the house with them!

 

[skieur]

A lot of people do not realize the value of their household possessions. The insurance companies calculate that if you have a 1/2 million dollar home than you have a 1/2 million dollars worth of possessions in it. At the low end a $100,000 home has $100,000 worth of possessions in it. This means things like the jewelry you may have inherited from your grandparents that you threw in a drawer and forgot about. That broach in pure gold or diamond ring may be worth $20,000 or more. Gold coins and stamps may have considerably appreciated in value as well as comic books and all sorts of apparently worthless stuff.

Even an old aluminum railing was not the garbage I thought it was to the company that paid me for it.

 

[skieur]

I have a very small dog that fits in my hand. He has a very loud bark and a hell of a bite.

Unless stitches are necessary, it is not a hell of a bite.