we were broken into again...
robbed last spring- garage cleaned out over spring break... lost almost $15K worth of tools and equipment...
so we rebuilt the garage, made a guest quarters and alarmed the whole damn thing...
6 months from completion they tried again...
they broke the glass out, tried to take the TV and then ran off after the alarm sounded as i pulled in the driveway...
i was back downstairs circling the perimeter of the yard with my shotgun 60 seconds after i hit the driveway...
they scooted over the back fence before i got out there...
my wife was home the whole time and on the phone with the alarm co. and polizia...
they only got away with the remote to the AC unit- HA! Fuckers.
the police were great. very responsive and considerate. nothing makes you drop a shotgun faster than being told 'put the weapon down!" buy two officers with guns drawn.
overall, i consider it a moral victory, despite having to pay for $1000 in glass repair. the alarm worked, my family was safe and my stuff is still my stuff.
here is my issue, my block 20th betwixt peoria and cinci has 9 houses on it. 7 of the 9 have had garages/quarters/main houses robbed in 6 weeks. i smile you not. of the two remaining, one has had a car broken into.
What in teh holy hell?
(Sure as love does not help when the assholes behind you go on vaca and leave their papers piled up on the porch, morons)
You need to move the hell away from there. Think...South Tulsa...South Tulsa...
Quote from: guido911 on June 18, 2009, 07:00:44 PM
You need to move the hell away from there. Think...South Tulsa...South Tulsa...
The only place you're safe from being robbed is in the ghetto. ;D
Maybe you should look at TPD's crime map sometime.
Without a vehicle to haul away the loot, maybe they are within walking distance.
Was this in daylight hours?
11 pm
home burglary next door was 11am
Quote from: guido911 on June 18, 2009, 07:00:44 PM
You need to move the hell away from there. Think...South Tulsa...South Tulsa...
cept my buddy in camelot park has had 6 burglaries within two blocks in the past 4 weeks...
Quote from: brunoflipper on June 18, 2009, 07:12:00 PM
cept my buddy in camelot park has had 6 burglaries within two blocks in the past 4 weeks...
Well that's freakin great news. Luckily that still about 2 miles away from my house.
Quote from: guido911 on June 18, 2009, 07:00:44 PM
You need to move the hell away from there. Think...South Tulsa...South Tulsa...
Oh hell no. I finally quit reporting stuff stolen. If I hadn't, I would have had to quit my day job.
South Tulsa starts at 81st or 91st now.. Maybe even 101st :D
Quote from: Trogdor on June 18, 2009, 10:30:12 PM
South Tulsa starts at 81st or 91st now.. Maybe even 101st :D
The recession and credit crunch have slowed things down but my guess is still that 151st between Bixby and Glenpool (Highway 67) will eventually be the new 71st street.
Quote from: YoungTulsan on June 18, 2009, 11:26:42 PM
The recession and credit crunch have slowed things down but my guess is still that 151st between Bixby and Glenpool (Highway 67) will eventually be the new 71st street.
It's probably too hilly. Not cheap enough to develop the land like the most developed (retail wise) parts of 71st.
Not to mention only accessible by one highway (75) and one road (memorial)
71st took off because it was only a little over 4 miles away of the shopping center that was wearing down and had no available area to expand. It was also accessible from many areas including the then-retail-deprived Broken Arrow.
Neighborhood watch?
$400 camera system from Sam's (worked great in our neighborhood for catching teenage vandals)?
Lights at night?
Dog?
Rose bushes (climbing Joseph's coat is an awesome security rose), yukka, or trifoliate orange bushes (Poncirus trifoliata) in front of windows?
That might be a bit condescending Gassy. The guy just spent beauxcoup money on a security system, actually was footsteps behind them with a shotgun in a neighborhood that was the first to set up a neighborhood association and crimewatch groups. Bushes and motion lights are not going to stop these guys. And its not neighborhood specific. Like Jesse James said when asked why he robbed banks, "Cause thats where the money is." You live well or with your hands, they know that and they wait for you to make a mistake. They need drugs, they need them so badly they will risk life to get them and your shotgun ain't nothin compared to what the local drug gangbangers will do to them if they don't pay up.
Your tools are no doubt at Golden Pawn on nearby Peoria or EZ Pawn over at 15th Denver. "So, you've owned these tools for over a year? You know how to use a lathe do you?" They locate near neigbhorhoods where there are both sellers (thieves) and donors. You're the donor. The lowest guy on the totem pole.
Quote from: Gaspar on June 19, 2009, 08:17:38 AM
Neighborhood watch?
$400 camera system from Sam's (worked great in our neighborhood for catching teenage vandals)?
Lights at night?
Dog?
Rose bushes (climbing Joseph's coat is an awesome security rose), yukka, or trifoliate orange bushes (Poncirus trifoliata) in front of windows?
we have a neighborhood watch...
i have lights on and motion lights... when they come on my backyard looks like stalag 17...
two dogs... big 80 and 90 pounds... inside sleeping... they get up if you even park on our block and go apeshyte if you come anywhere near the house... plus, one is a bit of a biter... but if you come over the back fence silently?...
i thought about the camera but what good would it do? the cops did'nt want the tool they broke in with or any of the prints all over the TV... (i understand the lab costs keep them from being able to do prints)... but would they really do anything different if i had a video of the thief?
a rose bush in the back corner is not a bad idea...
i really just want to put concertina wire along my back fence...
(http://static.flickr.com/1/1153776_fb29fc1c5d.jpg)
Quote from: Trogdor on June 18, 2009, 10:30:12 PM
South Tulsa starts at 81st or 91st now.. Maybe even 101st :D
It is in my world, believe it or not. ;)
Quote from: waterboy on June 19, 2009, 08:44:43 AM
That might be a bit condescending Gassy. The guy just spent beauxcoup money on a security system, actually was footsteps behind them with a shotgun in a neighborhood that was the first to set up a neighborhood association and crimewatch groups. Bushes and motion lights are not going to stop these guys. And its not neighborhood specific. Like Jesse James said when asked why he robbed banks, "Cause thats where the money is." You live well or with your hands, they know that and they wait for you to make a mistake. They need drugs, they need them so badly they will risk life to get them and your shotgun ain't nothin compared to what the local drug gangbangers will do to them if they don't pay up.
Your tools are no doubt at Golden Pawn on nearby Peoria or EZ Pawn over at 15th Denver. "So, you've owned these tools for over a year? You know how to use a lathe do you?" They locate near neigbhorhoods where there are both sellers (thieves) and donors. You're the donor. The lowest guy on the totem pole.
hell, last time they stole my kiln... a F-ing KILN!... it was a smaller glass KILN... but WTH?... how much is the pawnshop gonna give you for that?
i checked pawn shops and craigslist for a month- no joke called them all 2-3 times... asking if they had one "for sale"... they knew what i was up to and were all dicks...
they should shut down pawnshops completely...
i want to put rfid tags on all my stuff... that way i can just go to the pawn shop and scan the building without their knowledge... but cant get a portable reader with a range over 60 cms...
their MO is obvious, "if it plugs-in or runs on gas and i can carry it, i'm takin it"... they left all my hand tools last time, which i appreciated...
The big problem is the penality for stealing or B&E is like a slap on the wrist. The risk of getting caught is worth the loot they haul. I think when they do jobs they have a car but park it a block away. We had a self-storage place busted into, they came in there and just bent all the door latchs of around 50 units, opening the doors with the locks still on the door. That is unhappy news that you can't have nothing these days without it being taken. >:(
Quote from: patric on June 18, 2009, 07:09:16 PM
Without a vehicle to haul away the loot, maybe they are within walking distance.
Was this in daylight hours?
Odds are they had a vehicle parked a block away. I'm surprised that they took items with such little value too.
I wasn't being condescending. It sounds like you've made some significant security minded changes. You simply have "location" and access to deal with.
I am a big fan of landscape based security, and have some favorites. The Climbing Joseph's coat Rose is nearly care free, can be trained along a fence-line and shreds human flesh. It is the thorneyist rose I have ever seen. . .and beautiful.
(http://www.growquest.com/rose%20section/climbi28.jpg)
(http://www.sactorose.org/roses/55climbers/55josephscoatbv.jpg)
Many hate it because once establish it requires the owner to wear heavy leather work gloves to train and trim it, and even the trimmings cause a problem by shredding yard bags and, in my case, making compost dangerous. No one walks through, or climbs over this one.
It can be ordered on line or purchased at Home Depot in the spring for about $4 a bush in the bare-root form.
A "Machete" used during routine yard work has always worked for me.....
Allow the little fellows to see the sparkle of a vintage Sandanista blade and you would be amazed at the distance they will go to to avoid your house.
If you don't have the time.... I have a friend... Pablo.. that could do a few chores during the times they would be scouting their daily score.
Quote from: brunoflipper on June 19, 2009, 08:53:21 AM
i thought about the camera but what good would it do? the cops did'nt want the tool they broke in with or any of the prints all over the TV... (i understand the lab costs keep them from being able to do prints)... but would they really do anything different if i had a video of the thief?
These days it seems more effective to post surveillance video to YouTube and give the URL to police, as well as every news agency in town. You might be surprised to find out how willing TV stations are to run User Generated Content, especially about crime stories.
Dont expect police to dust for prints; the labs were swamped even before they had to start collecting DNA from jaywalkers... ;)
I have found that I haven't had any problems since I chased the last ones through the neighborhood in nothing but shorts. If I hadn't stopped to put on the shorts I would have got them instead of trailing just behind them. We just have a problem with vehicle breakins though. Haven't had anyone break in since someone was driving through the neighborhood hitting a button for a garage door opener (I've decided this is how they got into the garage and stole all the tools) almost 15 years ago. Also, have a cheap stereo in my car now as well.
My home was broke into twice and we suspect that it was a teenager in our neighborhood. He or they went straight to our chilrens room and took a psp, xbox 360, games and a new 20 inch flat screen. We also have a good idea which teen did it.
Wagoner county sheriff took the report and serial number's and basicly told us to replace the items. No fingerprints no nothing.
I'm thinking if you or your neighbor does not see and or apprehend them, it's "Score" for the crooks. And Heaven forbid if you mame or hurt them in anyway, i.e. your shotgun Bruno.
And cameras are only good if you know the perps or if you are lucky enough to catch one of the local TV stations on a slow day and they decide to show your video. And then you have to hope that someone will take the time to pick up a phone to identify them for you.
Man bring back the 50s thru 70s when people would actually get involved and help other people. Lord help this World when our generation is gone.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 19, 2009, 10:25:43 AM
My home was broke into twice and we suspect that it was a teenager in our neighborhood. He or they went straight to our chilrens room and took a psp, xbox 360, games and a new 20 inch flat screen. We also have a good idea which teen did it.
Wagoner county sheriff took the report and serial number's and basicly told us to replace the items. No fingerprints no nothing.
I'm thinking if you or your neighbor does not see and or apprehend them, it's "Score" for the crooks. And Heaven forbid if you mame or hurt them in anyway, i.e. your shotgun Bruno.
And cameras are only good if you know the perps or if you are lucky enough to catch one of the local TV stations on a slow day and they decide to show your video. And then you have to hope that someone will take the time to pick up a phone to identify them for you.
Man bring back the 50s thru 70s when people would actually get involved and help other people. Lord help this World when our generation is gone.
Fingerprinting is for cop shows. The unless you have a ton of money the police don't really look into one off robberies. What they will do, is if they happen to arrest somebody with a bunch of stuff that looks like it is stolen they would catalog it and match your serial number up.
Quote from: DolfanBob on June 19, 2009, 10:25:43 AM
My home was broke into twice and we suspect that it was a teenager in our neighborhood. He or they went straight to our chilrens room and took a psp, xbox 360, games and a new 20 inch flat screen. We also have a good idea which teen did it.
Wagoner county sheriff took the report and serial number's and basicly told us to replace the items. No fingerprints no nothing.
I'm thinking if you or your neighbor does not see and or apprehend them, it's "Score" for the crooks. And Heaven forbid if you mame or hurt them in anyway, i.e. your shotgun Bruno.
And cameras are only good if you know the perps or if you are lucky enough to catch one of the local TV stations on a slow day and they decide to show your video. And then you have to hope that someone will take the time to pick up a phone to identify them for you.
Man bring back the 50s thru 70s when people would actually get involved and help other people. Lord help this World when our generation is gone.
Yep, I could not agree more and if they get caught they get cut loose right away before the cop finishs the paperwork. The risks are low and the rewards are high. Cameras are no good they just show you what happened and how, most times you can't even see the face or tell who it is. Many of these crimes are done by people who know the system and are repeaters. I favor prison labor camps for such crimes and they can't get out till they pay back the victim.
I have not been broken into yet, but was wondering if there is some sub 500$ camera system anyone would recommend? I don't need to read license plates or anything, but something to identify people/cars, somthing I could give to the police(or youtube failing that) if something happened. I was investigating IP cameras but the quality didn't look very good on most of them. I do have a server outside of the house I could stream and save video to though.
Quote from: Rico on June 19, 2009, 09:41:41 AM
A "Machete" used during routine yard work has always worked for me.....
Allow the little fellows to see the sparkle of a vintage Sandanista blade and you would be amazed at the distance they will go to to avoid your house.
If you don't have the time.... I have a friend... Pablo.. that could do a few chores during the times they would be scouting their daily score.
:D my dad used to keep a Machete by our back entrance and front entrance to our house when I was growing up. You know how some people keep bats, or 9 irons, my dad kept his Machete there. What can you say he's Jamaican and that was how he was brought up. I felt pretty darn safe.
Quote from: brunoflipper on June 19, 2009, 08:59:40 AM
hell, last time they stole my kiln... a F-ing KILN!... it was a smaller glass KILN... but WTH?... how much is the pawnshop gonna give you for that?
i checked pawn shops and craigslist for a month- no joke called them all 2-3 times... asking if they had one "for sale"... they knew what i was up to and were all dicks...
they should shut down pawnshops completely...
i want to put rfid tags on all my stuff... that way i can just go to the pawn shop and scan the building without their knowledge... but cant get a portable reader with a range over 60 cms...
their MO is obvious, "if it plugs-in or runs on gas and i can carry it, i'm takin it"... they left all my hand tools last time, which i appreciated...
They don't even care if it plugs in! I've had garden tools, porch table set and plants taken. They even took my wheelbarrow! Sometimes they just feel like fixing up the old homestead I guess.
and now, at 11 am today a home invasion with guns at 21st and norfolk...
Sometimes I think it a shame that spring guns are disfavored by law....
Quote from: brianh on June 19, 2009, 03:16:21 PM
I have not been broken into yet, but was wondering if there is some sub 500$ camera system anyone would recommend? I don't need to read license plates or anything, but something to identify people/cars, somthing I could give to the police(or youtube failing that) if something happened. I was investigating IP cameras but the quality didn't look very good on most of them. I do have a server outside of the house I could stream and save video to though.
http://www.epinions.com/prices/Toshiba_IKWB15A_Webcam
Quote from: brunoflipper on June 19, 2009, 03:59:23 PM
and now, at 11 am today a home invasion with guns at 21st and norfolk...
Those A-holes gotta be on drugs, from what you are saying they are incredibly bold. You're doing everything you possibly can to discourage it and they are still going after your smile.
Quote from: brianh on June 19, 2009, 03:16:21 PM
I have not been broken into yet, but was wondering if there is some sub 500$ camera system anyone would recommend? I don't need to read license plates or anything, but something to identify people/cars, somthing I could give to the police(or youtube failing that) if something happened. I was investigating IP cameras but the quality didn't look very good on most of them. I do have a server outside of the house I could stream and save video to though.
I haven't priced systems in a while, so I don't have a clue what is out there now, but with the falling price of computers, that would be a good storage system to look into. One thing to think about, if you get a B&W camera, and use an infared flood light, the camera will pick up the lightwave, making the effected area bright as day on the recording, even if those caught on it assumed it was completely dark.
I don't put much faith in cameras for help against break-in's- here's a thought, install a fake camera, they sell them at that bargan tool place on 21st & Sheridan next to Big Lots, it looks just like a real camera in a dark plastic ball with a flashing red light and you can stick it anyplace, the cost is $9.00 something. (It's about 3"-4" round) It's cheap, can't hurt nothing, looks real, and it takes a small battery to run the fake flashing red light. It may be worth a try.. Lowes sells total camera systems for about $70.00 the B&W camera & screen I don't know how well they work or if the also record onto a VCR. I seen them on display in the store.
Quote from: sauerkraut on June 20, 2009, 09:57:21 AM
I don't put much faith in cameras for help against break-in's- here's a thought, install a fake camera, they sell them at that bargan tool place on 21st & SheridenSheridan next to Big Lots, it looks just like a real camera in a dark plastic ball with a flashing red light and you can stick it anyplace, the cost is $9.00 something. (It's about 3"-4" round) It's cheap, can't hurt nothing, looks real, and it takes a small battery to run the fake flashing red light. It may be worth a try.. Lowes sells total camera systems for about $70.00 the B&W camera & screen I don't know how well they work or if the also record onto a VCR. I seen them on display in the store.
Fixed that for you. I figured since you don't live here you have a hard time spelling our street names.
^Relentless :)
My Garage apartment was broken into last night when my tenant went to visit his parents. The apartment is inside the back gate so instead of using the door, they climbed up to a window and pulled the window unit out and destroyed the window. The window faces the alley and is about 13' off of the ground.
Quote from: carltonplace on June 22, 2009, 10:28:53 AM
My Garage apartment was broken into last night when my tenant went to visit his parents. The apartment is inside the back gate so instead of using the door, they climbed up to a window and pulled the window unit out and destroyed the window. The window faces the alley and is about 13' off of the ground.
So what yo're saying is that we're dealing with ninjas, monkeys, or monkey ninjas.
Quote from: sgrizzle on June 22, 2009, 12:17:41 PM
So what yo're saying is that we're dealing with ninjas, monkeys, or monkey ninjas.
Why not ninja monkies?
Quote from: carltonplace on June 22, 2009, 10:28:53 AM
My Garage apartment was broken into last night when my tenant went to visit his parents. The apartment is inside the back gate so instead of using the door, they climbed up to a window and pulled the window unit out and destroyed the window. The window faces the alley and is about 13' off of the ground.
That is agressive. The guy must of known what was inside to go thru all that trouble. 13' off the ground requires some effort. Time to put bars on the window.. :o
Quote from: sauerkraut on June 22, 2009, 05:48:55 PM
That is agressive. The guy must of known what was inside to go thru all that trouble. 13' off the ground requires some effort. Time to put bars on the window.. :o
Yup bars on the windows will definitely make the property value go though the roof. Laminated glass windows would probably be a better bet.
Quote from: Cherish on June 23, 2009, 12:51:53 AM
Yup bars on the windows will definitely make the property value go though the roof. Laminated glass windows would probably be a better bet.
You're a sharpie, glad you joined the team.
Quote from: Cherish on June 23, 2009, 12:51:53 AM
Yup bars on the windows will definitely make the property value go though the roof. Laminated glass windows would probably be a better bet.
A.K.A.....Creamation bars....
Quote from: sauerkraut on June 22, 2009, 05:48:55 PM
That is agressive. The guy must of known what was inside to go thru all that trouble. 13' off the ground requires some effort. Time to put bars on the window.. :o
Not only would bars not have helped in this situation since there was a window unit (read a/c,) who in there right mind wants to lower there property value AND not lower your chances of getting robbed?
Quote from: Cherish on June 23, 2009, 12:51:53 AM
Yup bars on the windows will definitely make the property value go though the roof. Laminated glass windows would probably be a better bet.
Thank you for that I needed to smile.
Quote from: sauerkraut on June 22, 2009, 05:48:55 PM
Time to put bars on the window...
See? He's trying to kill us.
Sauerkraut, think before you post. Stop trying to kill Tulsans.
[admit to not ready the entire thread]
Window AC units are a hazard:
1) Push AC unit into the house.
2) Enter
3) Take what you want
4) Grab the AC unit
5) Leave.
They have window bars that are made/shaped to go over a A/C window unit, they also have metal cages that protect the A/C unit & window. Many A/C units are stolen and sold for scrap medal. Bars on the window don't look nice, but it beats having your home cleaned out every time you go someplace. A burgler will go to a house with less resistance if he sees bars on a house- unless he knows that something of great value or something he really wants is inside your home.. There is no sure fire way to protect your stuff, if someone else wants what you have bad enough they will take it away from you one way or another... :-X
Quote from: sauerkraut on June 26, 2009, 09:03:40 AM
They have window bars that are made/shaped to go over a A/C window unit, they also have metal cages that protect the A/C unit & window. Many A/C units are stolen and sold for scrap medal. Bars on the window don't look nice, but it beats having your home cleaned out every time you go someplace. A burgler will go to a house with less resistance if he sees bars on a house- unless he knows that something of great value or something he really wants is inside your home.. There is no sure fire way to protect your stuff, if someone else wants what you have bad enough they will take it away from you one way or another... :-X
Sure there is uproot the house and move to the ghetto. No one will steal your stuff in the ghetto...the communities attached to ghettos or nearby the ghetto...those are the ones they attack. So move to the ghetto...cheap housing sh**ty property value feel safe as long as you don't flaunt your stuff, make sure to be friendly and small talk the local crack/meth heads.
(http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/g/ghetto_tooth_fairy-4337.jpg)
Or live in a decent community and put bars on the window, reduce your property value, have your neighbors hate you and look at you like crap. Or better yet put bars on your windows, get old azz cars (preferably an El Camino) and put them on cinderblocks in the front of your house and cut the lawn once a month. No one will touch that house. Don't forget about bars for the front door or a gate and leave barbie dolls outside with old skool plastic play houses, and a red radio flyer wagon with a big wheel tricycle.
(http://www.dba-oracle.com/images/red_neck_car.jpg)
She's not even in Tulsa yet and she's shamin' you Sauer...SHAMIN' YOU.
That bit about the ghetto is true, for what it's worth. :o
I was broken into Saturday night. They took my stereo face, a few remote controls for radio and XM. They also took my company laptop and a few small things from the trunk. The very next night they stole my neighbors Kubota tractor. All this a day after a so called magazine salesman tried to sell Women's health to my wife for $60 a year. Sounds like someone is casing the neighborhoods.
I'm around 38th St. east of Yale.
Quote from: izmophonik on July 01, 2009, 01:24:22 PM
I was broken into Saturday night. They took my stereo face, a few remote controls for radio and XM. They also took my company laptop and a few small things from the trunk. The very next night they stole my neighbors Kubota tractor. All this a day after a so called magazine salesman tried to sell Women's health to my wife for $60 a year. Sounds like someone is casing the neighborhoods.
I'm around 38th St. east of Yale.
Wow.. Tulsanow is getting targeted
My strategy is to not having anything worth stealing.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on July 01, 2009, 01:56:22 PM
My strategy is to not having anything worth stealing.
My neighbors and I are very close, and well armed. We do a pretty good job of watching each others property for things that are strange, garage doors left open, and the like. Several houses in my area are retired person or stay-at-home moms. A couple others are college kids or other people that are up late. So between them we have lots of activity.
Not that it will prevent any crime, but back to the old "find an easier target" thing.
I find leaving the porch light on at night is a pretty good deterrent.
I got my car broken into because they stopped to rob the people across the street with their open garage. Hit me while they were at it.
Quote from: Conan71 on July 01, 2009, 03:05:56 PM
I find leaving the porch light on at night is a pretty good deterrent.
That's what I do. And a mercury vapor lamp on the apex of my roof in the front and back yard
Quote from: Hoss on July 01, 2009, 03:20:03 PM
That's what I do. And a mercury vapor lamp on the apex of my roof in the front and back yard
Hopefully you have them in fixtures that keep the light confined to your property.
Quote from: nathanm on July 01, 2009, 03:29:33 PM
Hopefully you have them in fixtures that keep the light confined to your property.
Both my next door neighbors have them, so that's not an issue. As a matter of fact, I put one of them up after they asked me to.
Quote from: nathanm on July 01, 2009, 03:29:33 PM
Hopefully you have them in fixtures that keep the light confined to your property.
No, Nathan. I aim them directly at my neighbor's bedroom windows.
Quote from: Conan71 on July 01, 2009, 04:10:53 PM
No, Nathan. I aim them directly at my neighbor's bedroom windows.
I've seen a few in my neighborhood that do shine directly in neighbor's bedroom windows, hence my question. It's not that they are aimed there, just that the farm-style fixture has no directionality whatsoever.
I use simple motion detector spots placed at the peak of my front roof and in front of garage doors. They work well and don't seem to offend.
My neighbors leave there front porch lights on. In the past burglars have simply walked up, unscrewed the light bulb and did their business.
Quote from: waterboy on July 01, 2009, 06:17:25 PM
I use simple motion detector spots placed at the peak of my front roof and in front of garage doors. They work well and don't seem to offend.
Less than others. What I hate is when people who have those sorts of things have them positions such that if you walk by on the edge of the street they go off and blind you. As a pedestrian, I much prefer to have my night vision as intact as possible so I can see into the shadows.
Quote from: waterboy on July 01, 2009, 06:17:25 PM
I use simple motion detector spots placed at the peak of my front roof and in front of garage doors. They work well and don't seem to offend.
My neighbors leave there front porch lights on. In the past burglars have simply walked up, unscrewed the light bulb and did their business.
We installed a motion detector on the porch light. Makes a good effect.
A porch light that is recessed (i.e, "can light") is harder to tamper with, easier on the eyes and more strategic when illuminating entrances. Less is better when it comes to brightness in these instances, as you dont want to create a hot spot that makes it harder for the eye to adapt to the darker areas around it.
Quote from: custosnox on July 01, 2009, 07:42:33 PM
We installed a motion detector on the porch light. Makes a good effect.
Some people like ambiance at night, using a sedate light for background light and a brighter, more task-oriented light on-demand when navigating stairs or other outdoor activity. Dimmer switches arent just for dining rooms anymore.
Heath-Zenith makes some very cool 2-level motion detectors that keep a light at a low level then ramp up to full brightness when motion is detected.
(http://di1.shopping.com/images/di/36/36/47/79336b4757614d304d6a4d6963433550337251-100x100-0-0.jpg)
You can also buy just the sensor if you want to use your existing fixtures. About $15.
People also underestimate the value of low voltage lighting around shrubs and perimeters to deny hiding places.
Quote from: Hoss on July 01, 2009, 03:20:03 PM
That's what I do. And a mercury vapor lamp on the apex of my roof in the front and back yard
...which casts deep, dark shadows the bad guys can work/hide in (see photo below).
Your neighbors across the street wont be of any help in this instance. Assuming they havent already responded with thick curtains, they wouldnt be able to see past the glare of the light to make out any detail on your property.
Farm lights are an abomination
(http://www.skykeepers.org/images/bad-dd-mv.jpg)
and shouldnt be used in residential areas. They are out-of-scale and lack the optical control necessary to protect your neighbors from "light trespass".
That and they scream "crime area"!.
If your security model is dependent on observant neighbors or police, that's something to consider.
Regardless of how you do it, it's really to your benefit to keep your light out of your neighbor's eyes.
I like those Mercury Vapor Lights, I still favor bars on the windows sure it may scream "high crime" but you have to do what needs to be done. :-\
Quote from: cannon_fodder on July 01, 2009, 03:02:54 PM
My neighbors and I are very close, and well armed. We do a pretty good job of watching each others property for things that are strange, garage doors left open, and the like. Several houses in my area are retired person or stay-at-home moms. A couple others are college kids or other people that are up late. So between them we have lots of activity.
Not that it will prevent any crime, but back to the old "find an easier target" thing.
That's about the best you can do. A mean dog also can help but the dog has to be cared for when your away at work. Things start to happen when your away at work all day that's the time the bad guys get to work. Neighbors are the first line of defense.
Have burglaries by professional burglars been a problem here? They dress as service people and use a van with a business logo. They make daylight burglaries in full view. People think the neighbors are getting their house painted or some other service provided and no one questions the van in the neighbor's driveway.
Quote from: brunoflipper on June 19, 2009, 08:53:21 AM
we have a neighborhood watch...
i have lights on and motion lights... when they come on my backyard looks like stalag 17...
two dogs... big 80 and 90 pounds... inside sleeping... they get up if you even park on our block and go apeshyte if you come anywhere near the house... plus, one is a bit of a biter... but if you come over the back fence silently?...
i thought about the camera but what good would it do? the cops did'nt want the tool they broke in with or any of the prints all over the TV... (i understand the lab costs keep them from being able to do prints)... but would they really do anything different if i had a video of the thief?
a rose bush in the back corner is not a bad idea...
i really just want to put concertina wire along my back fence...
(http://static.flickr.com/1/1153776_fb29fc1c5d.jpg)
Then it would look like the Calif,/Mex. border. :o
And all you need is a piece of carpet to get over it.
I'm no fan of cameras. Half the time you can't make anything out anyhow on camera, stores and banks have cameras and they still get robbed. Camera don't prevent nothing. The cops don't even want to watch it, and all the cameras do is show you how they did it (if it's in view of a camera that is) Window bars really are the best way to prevent a break-in unless they know you have something inside that they really want and they will get in one way or another.
BTW did you hear that a while ago the Best Buy Store got busted into by pros, it was the one near I-44 and Yale, they cut a hole in the roof and even broke thru the block wall. The camera's tapes were missing. Cops think it was someone who once may have worked at the stores since they knew where the camera recorders were and they knew stores layout, a few other stores also got hit. This was 1-2 years ago.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/Tulsa-police-say-serial-burglars-arrested/GpB_Sffw0EeUD8evGq04pg.cspx
Looks like some busy thieves were busted. According to the story they were hitting 15 cars a day. I'm calling the detectives to see if my stuff was in their house.
I think it should be perfectly legel to shoot a theif in the kneecap if they are robbing you (vehicles and stuff like that that doesn't fall under the make my day law).
Quote from: custosnox on July 22, 2009, 03:14:53 PM
I think it should be perfectly legel to shoot a theif in the kneecap if they are robbing you (vehicles and stuff like that that doesn't fall under the make my day law).
Please look up the "Stand your ground" law. Sometimes Oklahoma is ahead of the curve in such matters.
if I'm not mistaken, and I may be (and being too lazy to look it up), but the make my day law doesn't let you go out and kneecap someone who is breaking into your car, unless they they are posing a threat to you, and then you have to show that it was a threat.
Shooting a thief in the practice of his/her occupation is probably a violation of OHSA safety in the workplace laws.
Quote from: custosnox on July 22, 2009, 06:36:55 PM
if I'm not mistaken, and I may be (and being too lazy to look it up), but the make my day law doesn't let you go out and kneecap someone who is breaking into your car, unless they they are posing a threat to you, and then you have to show that it was a threat.
You are not mistaken. However, under the Stand your Ground Law you have expanded rights. You have the right to confront someone and you can use force to defend your property. If your use of force results in an escalation of violence by the thief the law
can give an excuse to prosecutors to NOT file charges.
For example:
http://concealed.wordpress.com/2007/10/28/stand-your-ground-law-in-oklahoma-upheld/
You can use deadly force to defend yourself if you are in immanent fear of physical harm and have no duty to retreat from any place you have a legal right to be. So if you see someone breaking into your car and confront them and they charge at you . . . blast away. You MAY not be prosecuted.
OUJI Interpretation of the law:
QuoteA person has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his/her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he/she is not engaged in an unlawful activity and is attacked in any place where he/she has a right to be, if he/she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent (death/(great bodily harm) to himself/herself/ another)/(the commission of a forcible felony).
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=454361
Discussion of the law as related to the OKC Pharmacy shooting:
http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=10440626
*** Just my opinion. I am not an expert in this area of law and you should always avoid shooting people. Also, don't trust anything I say. ***
Right, that is pretty much how I inturpreted the stand your ground law, in addition to the use of deadly force laws. However, I would like to see it that if someone is commiting burglery, you can punish them by kneecapping them. But then, I hate theives.
Quote from: custosnox on July 23, 2009, 09:52:14 AM
However, I would like to see it that if someone is commiting burglery, you can punish them by kneecapping them.
It would be something like this:
(full scene: http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/149674/?searchterm= )
Now that's what I"m talking about. "Go ahead, steal my stuff"