Educate me: Home security

Had a break in 2 days ago. TV, laptops, PS3, etc. are all gone.

I'm taking a lot of steps to make the home more difficult to enter (they kicked the front door in), but want to add some other protection/deterrents as well. If you could please offer any input on the following:

1) Alarms. I DO NOT WANT any monthly fee bullE36 M3. Something that I can arm that makes a crazy wail when the door is opened is good enough. Would like something that is easy to DIY.

2) Security cameras. Again, want something easy to DIY. Would prefer fairly wide angle lens and night vision capable. Will probably need a 4 camera system. Local system is preferred, don't need cloud access/fees/etc. Are the DVR setups for these specific for the cameras, or can I pair any mess of IP cams to a DVR system? Plug & play is best. FWIW, I have a Foscam single camera as a baby monitor/camera and its a berkeleying nightmare. POE is preferable as well so I only have to one one wire to each camera through the attic.

3) Motion sensing lights. I have a double-flood-light setup outside my garage. It kinda works, kinda doesn't. Flipping the switch in rapid succession seems to put it in different modes, but I have no idea what they are. It could use replacement with a quality LED setup. Could also use 2 more that I could install under the soffit on the house at the opposite corners where the garage lights don't reach. I'd prefer a light that I can switch on and off easily as well as leave in motion detecting mode.

Something that I just found out about yesterday that I'll share: They make kits like EZ Armor Max that essentially reinforce the hinge areas and strike plate areas of your door jamb by spreading the load through a huge steel plate. They include 3.5" screws so they load is carried by the 2x4s surrounding the door jamb, not just the jamb itself (which will explode readily if kicked). They are easy to install, look pretty good, and nobody is kicking in your door after you've installed one. I pieced my jamb back together and installed one over it, I give the kit 4/5 stars.

I use the Lowes Iris for security and a Samsung camera setup.

I have been very happy with it because it also lets me control a bunch of functions at the house with my phone. Notably the HVAC and lighting.

Some recent chatter on same/similar topic:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/home-security-systems/89431/page1/

Someone is not going to risk kicking in a door unless they know there is a prize.

Hide the DVR, if I bust in I'm going to pack out the DVR first, or shoot it with a 12ga.

A hoodie and a mask defeat a DVR anyway. Most are aware of them, I've even seen them flip off the camera.

PM me. I can help with the camera system. Also, I'm a fan of the Simplisafe system. Good rep in the industry. The no contract thing is a huge advantage. Just for giggles, call ADT for a quote. Just don't sign anything.

Dog

Big dog is the best deterrent.

bentwrench wrote: Someone is not going to risk kicking in a door unless they know there is a prize. Hide the DVR, if I bust in I'm going to pack out the DVR first, or shoot it with a 12ga. A hoodie and a mask defeat a DVR anyway. Most are aware of them, I've even seen them flip off the camera.

There isn't anyway they'd have known there was a prize in my house. All window blinds and curtains are shut during the day. But they took a TV... what house isn't going to have a TV to steal?

Yes, the DVR for security cams would be hidden (probably in the attic if it would tolerate temperatures).

Its more of a deterrent than anything (like John's post), but I wouldn't mind having the system working anyway.

KY - I do have a dog, but he was in the basement. He must have made enough noise to prevent them from going down there. I'm very thankful because he may have gotten hurt. He's only ~40lbs.

cwh wrote: PM me. I can help with the camera system. Also, I'm a fan of the Simplisafe system. Good rep in the industry. The no contract thing is a huge advantage. Just for giggles, call ADT for a quote. Just don't sign anything.

CWH - I sent you a PM re cameras but it was bounced. Would you send me a PM? Thanks.

I use Simplisafe, and am relatively happy with it. I think you can set it up with no connection, such that it's just a fancy noise maker.

Dyintorace- Message sent. Prodarwin- quote sent.

I'm going to be looking very closely at SimpliSafe in about 6 months or so- would almost certainly have gone with that if I'd known about it when we moved in, but didn't and SWMBO insisted on having a monitored alarm system so she just had the ADT system transferred from her old place. Frankly I think the yard signs do the most out of anything, and I'll be happy to not have the $50/month charge for it. With an 85lb boxer/pit mix running around the house that barks up a storm at any unknown noise, I imagine most would-be thieves are going to find someplace else to go- and if they're up for braving facing him it seems unlikely that any security system is going to do much to stop them from breaking in...

I live in southern California and they love breaking in houses and cars in this place. I haven't been hit but I have my Doberman and she hangs out in the yard when I'm working with the garage open. She doesn't bark at doorbells or knocks. But, when a stranger is let in the house by one of us she pays all of her attention to them.

Once I had a friend stay at my house and spend the night while he was on a road trip. When I let him in the house the dog was in the backyard pooping or what not and he went straight to bed. The next morning, I hear him walking down the stairs and then I hear her barking and growling followed by him hauling ass upstairs back into our guest room. By the time I got into the hallway she was standing at his door waiting for him to come out. I forgot to introduce them.

She's extremely sweet dog though.

cwh wrote: Just for giggles, call ADT for a quote. Just don't sign anything.

I don't think it's bad at all for $25 a month. Been a happy customer for 15 years now. Had only one attempted break in and police showed up in 5 minutes. That was 10 years ago.

in before the obligatory "buy a gun" comment

People always bring up guns and dogs in these discussions, but if you're not home and you've brought your dog with you, they aren't going to help at all.

Personally I think a monitored system makes the most sense. If it's not monitored and you're not home it doesn't do any good. Also, if you are home and there is a fire (particularly if you're in bed sleeping) you may or may not wake up to be able to do anything about it, so having the system call out for the fire department could be a life saver.

Video cameras have become a big deal in recent years as their prices have gone down, but they aren't going do much to deter burglars - mainly, you'll just have video of them leaving with your stuff.

Of course, there are all the things you should do even if you don't have any security system at all: decent locks with reinforced door jambs, pull the shades, have lights on, etc. Most burglars are looking for quick and easy; if you make it difficult they will move on to the next place.

Good insurance. Then ever 6 months, take a video of EVERYTHING in your house. Open up boxes. Take a video of the labels of your suits/dresses, and shoes. Get your kitchen knives and your toolset, including the brand and model if possible. Get everything. Spend 2 hours or more doing it. Save it to your computer, to Youtube (on a super private setting), to your phone, and to the cloud (super private settings).

Makes it really easy to crush any fraud claims with the insurance company--and everyone has something that is slightly unbelievable--for instance, a past boss had probably 50 Polo Ralph Lauren shirts. To replace them would be about $2,000. Slightly unbelievable that he had that much, but he did. If there was ever a fire, he'd be out of that money.

Insurance is a piece of the equation for sure, but its not a good deterrent.

I have good insurance. I don't have everything that well documented, but I will in the future. Even so, I have a $1000 deductible and spending that to recover $3000 worth of stuff kinda sucks. I'd rather my house was just never broken into to begin with.

That does suck that your house was broken into. Bright side: given the rarity of these sort of events you should be pretty well inoculated to another break in.

I assume you made a police report, by law pawn shops have to report everything they take in to the police and hold it for some amount of time before it can be put out for sale on the showroom floor. A fairly competent police force should be aware of any operators in your area and just a little info can lead them to an arrest.

** and yeah, buying a gun for home break-ins is a bad idea. Just one more thing to have stolen.

ProDarwin wrote: Insurance is a piece of the equation for sure, but its not a good deterrent. I have good insurance. I don't have everything that well documented, but I will in the future. Even so, I have a $1000 deductible and spending that to recover $3000 worth of stuff kinda sucks. I'd rather my house was just never broken into to begin with.

That is all well and good, but if you're mitigating all the risk you are likely doing too much and it won't be cost effective. I can make my house the safest house in the world, and the cost of doing that will be more than the value of all of my things.

At the end of the day, a motion sensing light, good deadbolt, lights on a timer, maybe even a stereo on a timer while you're on vacation, and a barking dog are probably good enough.

Of course, it does matter on your area as well. Keep in mind that MOST thieves and burglers are looking for the easy kill.

mtn wrote: At the end of the day, a motion sensing light, good deadbolt, lights on a timer Of course, it does matter on your area as well. Keep in mind that MOST thieves and burglers are looking for the easy kill.

These are all part of the plan. The house was most likely selected because its an easy target... no cars in the driveway and no evidence of anyone being home. I know MOST of what I have to address, but there are 3 specific things I wanted input on mentioned in the original post. The rest of my home security to-do list is simpler things, but a much longer list.

Please see original post... motion sensing light is on the list of things to install/upgrade. If you can recommend a good one, please do. Also, what code do I need to worry about (if any) when wiring them through the attic?

Nobody has asked yet, but why do you think they choose your place? Is there anything about your house that would make it appealing to someone looking to break in? Or more appealing than other houses nearby?

Overgrown landscaping that obscures entryways? Lots of glass vs solid steel doors? Places for them to hide in a hurry if necessary? Not as well lit as the neighbors (I know you mentioned lights already)? Maybe you can make your home less appealing to them in the first place.

I intend to make it less appealing, through much of the work mentioned above.

The break-in was mid-day. It was likely chosen because the driveway was empty unlike the adjacent homes. There are some trees that partially obscure the front porch, they will be taken care of. Doors are steel, no glass was broken. Steel front door was kicked in.

Its a fairly open setting, I'm guessing the #1 reason is that it just didn't look like anyone was home... which its hard to do much about during the day easily except for possibly the stereo on a timer.

stuart in mn wrote: People always bring up guns and dogs in these discussions, but if you're not home and you've brought your dog with you, they aren't going to help at all. Most burglars are looking for quick and easy; if you make it difficult they will move on to the next place.

You don't get the point of the dog as a deterrence, it's not that the dog is out the house when it happens (refer to your last sentence). If your house is being cased out and they see that a dog lives there that's the deterrence. It will make your house less of a target. The idea is for your house to not be a candidate of home invasion. If they're brave enough to try it with Fido being a known occupant of the house then they're brave mofo's. I know my house is less of a target with my Doberman living there.

yupididit wrote:

stuart in mn wrote: People always bring up guns and dogs in these discussions, but if you're not home and you've brought your dog with you, they aren't going to help at all. Most burglars are looking for quick and easy; if you make it difficult they will move on to the next place.

You don't get the point of the dog as a deterrence, it's not that the dog is out the house when it happens (refer to your last sentence). If your house is being cased out and they see that a dog lives there that's the deterrence. It will make your house less of a target. The idea is for your house to not be a candidate of home invasion. If they're brave enough to try it with Fido being a known occupant of the house then they're brave mofo's. I know my house is less of a target with my Doberman living there.

I lived on a block in a tougher neighborhood during the down turn. Nearly every house on the block was broken into during the day. The exception were houses with dogs and old people.

I think the best solution is to get an old person and never let them leave during the day. Plus they can cook and clean, way better than a dog.

We had a pit/ mastiff. I never bothered locking the door.

ProDarwin wrote: It was likely chosen because the driveway was empty

Seems like an obvious solution. You need more vehicles