Home Security Systems

[Oscar Zulu]

Sunday night a thief got into my truck in my driveway. They made of with a couple of flashlights and some European 8 x 21 binoculars and a pair of prescription glasses (I hope someone gets a headache).
I have a monitored alarm system for the house, and would like to supplement it with video surveillance, or other goodies for extra security in and out of my home. I would rather have a professionally installed system than a DIY project.
I would like some recommendations from my forum friends about how to get an effective system picked out , without getting hosed in the process.
Thank You,
Oscar Zulu

 

[NYlakesider]

Every area is different!

Check in with your local PD and ask them about different alarm companies. They deal with this stuff daily and experienced street cops should have a good handle on what works does not work. They know what systems generate more false alarms and other good stuff.. Cost is up to you but that should be able to point you in the right direction!

 

[USAF385]

Here's my favorite security system...

If something steps foot on the front or back deck, the alarms sound...

 

[BigBoy99]

Sunday night a thief got into my truck in my driveway. They made of with a couple of flashlights and some European 8 x 21 binoculars and a pair of prescription glasses (I hope someone gets a headache).

Why wasn't the truck locked? Put the truck into a garage and add sensors to garage and attache them to the house system.

Who is going to be constantly monitoring the video system to alert someone to the fact there are undesirables in the driveway? Motion detector lights which light up the driveway like day light would be a much better solution. Perhaps a dog to make noise letting someone know that there is bad guys there.

 

[arjay]

Just buy a rider for the trucks contents.Its cheaper and in the end more effective

 

[Kanewpadle]

Cameras do nothing to prevent or deter crime. Only document it.

Lighting and a driveway monitor would work better.

 

[Oscar Zulu]

Thanks for the replies! I will go with motion activated lights, motion activated video. (Be nice to id the miscreants involved). My dog is deaf, (to much time in a duck blind)... my truck is to tall for the garage (Ford Raptor)... and it wasn't locked cause....I am an idiot some times. I remember not hitting the key lock button twice as to not wake my neighbors with the horn.. Guess I didn't even hit it once. I think it is a neighborhood creeper, who knows how many times he has tried the door to find it locked. Thanks again!

 

[Steve in Vermont]

On the subject of locking a vehicle, we don't use a fob for this. There are documented reports of people with some type of scanner reading the code when someone uses their fob to lock their vehicle. The scammers can then unlock the vehicle using that code. It's a good idea to manually lock your vehicle and use the fob only when entering to drive away.

 

[P&R Fan]

I have been a Private Investigator for 19 years but I have owned a contract Security company for almost 29 years. I often talk to businesses that think a camera is all the security they need. I tell them a camera is fine, if somebody is monitoring it 24/7. Often a camera will pick up a thief doing their dirty deeds. Unfortunately they rarely give a picture good enough to identify anybody. How many times have you seen video surveillance from a bank or a convenience store, and it is such poor quality you can't identify the perp? Happens all the time.
I tell these businesses a fake camera is just as good. Make sure there is a light on it. Costs almost nothing, and it will scare off most bad guys. Give it a try.
Jim

 

[H Richard]

I don't know much about it, but I understand Direct TV has begun installing surveillance systems. My Son-In-Law works with it and he had his installed as a beta test. When he was visiting he will get a notification on his smart phone of any breach in security. He can look at any of the video via his smart phone also. It is also wireless and cannot be defeated by cutting a wire.

 

[JJEH]

It happened to us as well.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/388362-im-really-upset-right-now.html

Get a good camera system and don't forget to turn it on.

 

[rwsmith]

That is a smart move...

Just buy a rider for the trucks contents.Its cheaper and in the end more effective

That's a smart move but I would still want to do my best to keep people from stealing from me in the first place.

 

[Hodgin]

We have a home security system but it doesn't include video surveillance, although my son-in-law, who sold us the system, gave us a couple of "video surveillance in use" stickers to put on the doors to go long with the alarm stickers.

I thought about a home depot video surveillance system but decided against it primarily because someone has to be monitoring for it to be useful when we're at home. Otherwise, it would get a picture but I've read where good video is expensive.

My truck lives outside under a car port. It will not fit in our garage. The truck has a factory Secure Lock passive security system but I've never set up the code. I bought the truck used about 4 months ago and haven't bothered to set it up. It works off a keypad code. You might consider an alarm system for your truck if the surveillance option doesn't work out.