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  #1  
Old 01-16-2017, 06:03 PM
CanadianHopHead CanadianHopHead is offline
 
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Default What do you do to prevent break-ins on rural properties?

So my parent's house, an acreage just outside of Calgary, was burgled over the weekend while they were away. Trees are mature and surround the house and the neighbours are far enough away to not hear the back door getting pounded down. Before anyone suggests a dog, they were away, so if they hadn't taken the dog with them, one of their kids would've been taking care of it. Besides getting a security system installed, what do some of you do to ward off the thieving lowlifes?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 01-16-2017, 06:06 PM
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CanuckShooter CanuckShooter is offline
 
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Always have someone at home, a relative or a house sitter...that is what we have to do. When it's a run to town day we leave security to our 4 legged team, cameras and a big gate to block the driveway.
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Old 01-16-2017, 06:10 PM
coreya3212 coreya3212 is offline
 
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Monitored alarm system, with signage stating that it is in place. I think the signs at the driveway are better than the alarm. One mans opinion.
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Old 01-16-2017, 06:28 PM
morinj morinj is offline
 
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The only thing thats better then a big dog to keep crooks away from your property, is two big dogs, usually 1 is more then sufficient!!!
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Old 01-16-2017, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by morinj View Post
The only thing thats better then a big dog to keep crooks away from your property, is two big dogs, usually 1 is more then sufficient!!!
this is the method I like as well...
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  #6  
Old 01-16-2017, 07:20 PM
Battle Rat Battle Rat is offline
 
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I don't know about the locked gate.
To me that means the owners and on vacation some where.
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Old 01-16-2017, 07:22 PM
ETOWNCANUCK ETOWNCANUCK is offline
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Same way you prevent them when you live in the city.
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Old 01-16-2017, 07:24 PM
Hunter65 Hunter65 is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Battle Rat View Post
I don't know about the locked gate.
To me that means the owners and on vacation some where.
I agree, but maybe the gate should be closed anyways? Is it enough of a deterrent for the "honest" crooks?

I constantly worry about break ins.
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  #9  
Old 01-16-2017, 07:27 PM
Albertaktm Albertaktm is offline
 
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I had my van stole right out of my driveway on my acreage in November. My big steel cattle gate was open and the key was in the drink holder. I made it too easy. My jeep was in the driveway in the same state and my shop was unlocked and full of toys. My error , or was it? They wanted only the van as the footprints didn't even go to the newer jeep worth way more. I was lucky and fully insured. Could have been worse. The number 1 thing I believe is A very secure heavy locked gate. Luckily the only way possible on my property is up the driveway. A security system will take pictures but they will still steal you stuff. The best is to keep the bastards off the property all together.

Oh, and the RCMP called 2 days later and caught the 3 that stole my van. They were alerted by their next victim and the K-9 unit got them. Good dogs!
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  #10  
Old 01-16-2017, 07:30 PM
Mangosteen Mangosteen is offline
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Long 1400 ft driveway. Alarm system. And a Doberman.
Most likely almost close to an inside job. Somebody knew something.
Light systems showing activity and if no fresh driveway tire marks its too risky.
Don't be cheap and hire someone to house sit or go in frequently.
I got robbed once. Not a good thing. Inside job. House sitter had friends over. It went from there when house sitter was at work.
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  #11  
Old 01-16-2017, 07:42 PM
hilt134 hilt134 is offline
 
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Same things we do for town. If you cant have a sitter try and get a neighbor to drive down the road, shovel the deck and just make the place look lived in. Auto lights can help or a porch light. And if you get an alarm talk to your nearest neighbor maybe theres away you can get alerts sent to phones or something in case the others alarm is set off. Not sure how that works or set it up to one loud mother of an alarm.
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Old 01-16-2017, 07:48 PM
ganderblaster ganderblaster is offline
 
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Keep a vehicle in the drive by day but alternate and keep all the lights off at night. Like a total blackout. Not many thieves have night vision!
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  #13  
Old 01-16-2017, 08:08 PM
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Forest Techer Forest Techer is offline
 
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ISmartAlarm. 100$? Live feed of the camera. Cloud storage of data. I get a notification if there is movement or sound detected. Great night vision.

Hook up several on the same app. No monthly fee. I can listen or talk through any camera. Then signs Educating visitors.

You need wifi. Great peace of mind.
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  #14  
Old 01-16-2017, 08:26 PM
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House sitter prevents a lot of problems, besides break ins.

Grizz
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  #15  
Old 01-16-2017, 08:38 PM
FISHBATTEREDBEER FISHBATTEREDBEER is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Forest Techer View Post
ISmartAlarm. 100$? Live feed of the camera. Cloud storage of data. I get a notification if there is movement or sound detected. Great night vision.

Hook up several on the same app. No monthly fee. I can listen or talk through any camera. Then signs Educating visitors.

You need wifi. Great peace of mind.

are these cameras able to withstand our Alberta temps and conditions?
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  #16  
Old 01-16-2017, 08:55 PM
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Immigrant Immigrant is offline
 
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I wouldn't put too much trust in dogs if you are not there. A can of well directed bear spray by a determined burglar will make them go straight to the dog house. They are only useful when you are there to alert you if someone is in the yard. If they bark and no one is there to hear them, what good will they be.
My alarm went off while I was at work and they left without taking a thing. Maybe I was lucky. I have a siren installed inside the house and outside. They are loud, and annoying. It lets the burglars know something is going to happen. Either a neighbour or the cops are going to show up.
The reality of it is our stuff is not safe anymore. We have to make sure laptops, wallets, ipads etc are not lying around for a quick "smash and grab". Firearms need to be secured over and above the minimum storage requirements. Our vehicles, tools and toys need to be locked and keys hidden away. Slow the burglars down and make it difficult for them to get anything.
And people need to stop buying cheap generators and chainsaws from the back of a pickup from a shady looking guy. Someone is buying the stuff they are stealing which makes them just as guilty as the thieves
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  #17  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:00 PM
Bourbon Outdoorsman Bourbon Outdoorsman is offline
 
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Uae the bones of the next burgler as wind chimes and future burglers will learn to stay away...
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  #18  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:07 PM
robson3954 robson3954 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Battle Rat View Post
I don't know about the locked gate.
To me that means the owners and on vacation some where.
Only if it only gets closed when you go on vacation. An auto gate would go a long ways. Even if your drive is short, it's a big deterrent to hump items to your getaway vehicle on the road.
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  #19  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:12 PM
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Forest Techer Forest Techer is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FISHBATTEREDBEER View Post
are these cameras able to withstand our Alberta temps and conditions?
I would say no. But that means point them out a window or recess them.
Actually they are plugged in so I wouldn't be surprised if they would work.

But more importantly you don't want 300notifications a day from birds and dogs. You just want 1 when someone opens the door. And then you can look. And you can say hello. And you can call the cops and send them a screen shot of the 'visitor'.
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  #20  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:13 PM
Newview01 Newview01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief_Pounderhard View Post
Uae the bones of the next burgler as wind chimes and future burglers will learn to stay away...
X2 - this works well.
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  #21  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:24 PM
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TrollGRG TrollGRG is offline
 
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1. Go to a secondhand store and buy a used pair of men's work boots size 14-16.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put four giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:-


Bubba,
Me and Bertha, Duke and Slim went for more ammo and beer. Be back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls; they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up bad. I don't think Killer took part, but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house.

Better wait outside. Be right back.

Cooter
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  #22  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:39 PM
silverdoctor silverdoctor is offline
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Unfortunately, covering the face or wearing a hoodie basically negates cameras. Going to be wonderful when you see someone running away with your stuff and no idea who it is.

If you post signs saying you have an alarm system - with the company type, then you're giving hints to any burgler that knows alarms.

When the cops are needed - how long will it take for them to get there?


The more I think about it, a dog is the way to go. Keep it hungry.
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  #23  
Old 01-16-2017, 09:57 PM
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CanuckShooter CanuckShooter is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams View Post
House sitter prevents a lot of problems, besides break ins.

Grizz
They charge $40 per day...and don't leave for work or anything other than emergencies...if things are good when we get home I pay them $50 per day. Worth every penny IMHO
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  #24  
Old 01-16-2017, 10:24 PM
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Puma Puma is offline
 
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I see lots of video on the web of crooks caught in the act. Problem is, they never seem to find out who theses people are...

Big closed gate, dogs, yard lights, motion lights, game cams , and someone home most of the time.
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  #25  
Old 01-16-2017, 10:27 PM
WHITIEY WHITIEY is offline
 
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I think these crooks should be hunted back/down by being creative, Start off by baiting them to an area that is set up with cameras and etc etc
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  #26  
Old 01-17-2017, 04:24 AM
Bitumen Bullet Bitumen Bullet is offline
 
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OK so watch the place to see if anyone is home (I'm guessing a trailcam near the gate would help) wear a mask, be bold, cut the wifi or shoot the antennas, bring cutters for the gate, spray for the dog and a big truck to haul stuff away in because stealing a vehicle is too risky.

And get a kijiji account to sell the stuff. Sounds like one success a week would be more than enough to maintain a living in parents basement lifestyle. As long as they don't find an old guy with a BFG, attitude, no money and only a few years left to lose.


That might be the best deterrent. Which is why I'm thinking of opening a security company, new positions available, must be old.......
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  #27  
Old 01-17-2017, 05:41 AM
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58thecat 58thecat is offline
 
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House sitter, lights on etc
We go away we make arrangements for someone to stay at our place, pay them and it's money well spent.
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  #28  
Old 01-17-2017, 07:03 AM
bbqcrazy bbqcrazy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ganderblaster View Post
Keep a vehicle in the drive by day but alternate and keep all the lights off at night. Like a total blackout. Not many thieves have night vision!

Our neighbors got broke into about two weeks ago. They were away but have cameras. No yard light, vehicle in the yard. This was before the big moon. The theives were using headlamps to get around and through the shop etc..

With the warm weather and big moon right now the buggers will be out in full force.

Lots of excellent ideas on this thread but desperation and possibly being high on drugs make it almost impossible to deter these creatures.
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  #29  
Old 01-17-2017, 07:33 AM
Steve W Steve W is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrollGRG View Post
1. Go to a secondhand store and buy a used pair of men's work boots size 14-16.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo Magazine.
3. Put four giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:-


Bubba,
Me and Bertha, Duke and Slim went for more ammo and beer. Be back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls; they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up bad. I don't think Killer took part, but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house.

Better wait outside. Be right back.

Cooter
Now that's funny right there!
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  #30  
Old 01-17-2017, 07:37 AM
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NSDucknut NSDucknut is offline
 
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We had two dogs and were all sleeping. A single unlatched window was all it took to get my truck and all my hunting and reloading gear from the garage. Don't underestimate thieves - they are bold, and we didn't hear a sound. No clue it happened until we came downstairs in the morning
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