FAWK T&T.  I've used them in the past, but the last time they scratched up the rear of my car.  I only wanted them to acknowledge the issue and make sure they didn't do it again in the future.

Manager comes out and doesn't acknowledge the scratches and says his workers never got near the rear of my car.  This is all without talking to his guy.

I say whatever and when I get home I find their drop cloth in my truck.  I won't do business with that shady mofo again.  I'll take my personal cars and work trucks elsewhere.

Motion lighting is a must! Any type of deterrant is good -audible alarm or lighting. Monitored alarm systems are good if you can afford the monthly payment but a local system works just fine. I have motion lights that cover my perimeter. A lot of my neighbor's garage's got hit because it's separate from the house. I have alarms on the doors and an eye beam protecting inside of the overhead.

Motion lighting is a must!

I agree.  When activated it let's you know when someone is there but it also helps with getting a better picture quality on your cameras. 

Depending on various you can rig a motion sensor to video cameras that can call or text you, and as mentioned you can then check your cell phone or other immediately.

Some deterring things I have done are put up Dog signs, put up a big dog bowl, put out big ass shoes by doors like size 14 and above.

Others I know have put NRA stickers, but those types of stickers make me cringe as they may increase the target value and likelihood the burglar may turn into an armed robber.
I've also considered those sensors that are similar to door sensors in that they create an audible alert if crossed, like those in stores, but to use in my drive way or other area.

Getting better window locks and even siliconing jealousies are other options.

Not just light the area up but get perimeter chimes/alarms too so have audible indication (which also allows for location / direction as well).  perps don't want to be seen or heard - so blow their cover any way you can even if you not there!

I'm a resident manager for an apt building, so I'm responsible for the security of the entire building (90 units, 20 floors, 200+ residents).  We don't have onsite security guards, I'm pretty much it.

Since taking over the job last, I've done a few things to beef up the security.

-I constantly maintain all of the doors into and out of the building.  Checking both the locks, and the mechanisms in the doors to make sure they securely close all the way.  At least once a week I'll check all of the doors.

-Updated the security cameras.  We had an archaic camera set up when I started.  Only one camera out of 4 worked, and it was fed to a single moniter only located in my office.  No recording equipment either.  Now we have 6 cameras on a 90 day dvr set up.  The cameras can be viewed anywhere via mobile device.

-I heavily trimmed back the bushes and plants in front of the building, it would have been very easy for a would be attacker to hide behind one of our birds of paradise plants and wait for someone exiting the building at night.

-I established a better communication and general awareness with the residents themselves.  I made a big point in them conveying any suspicious activity directly to me as soon as they see it.

-I patrol the area briefly nightly, rechecking any gates, and fire exits where I have in the past found signs of activity.  So far I've just busted a couple of the residents smoking pakalolo in the fire escapes.  I've also had to boot a few homeless guys from cruising around the front of our building. The worst signs of activity I've found so far, was in our downstairs dumpster area.  One morning while checking it out, I found a folding chair and baseball bat very obviously, that was not there the night before.  Got me on high alert that someone may have been waiting there with malicious intent.

So far, the worst we have had is a few car break ins.  Usually from someone leaving their car unlocked, with no signs of break in.  Once we had a window smashed in, but nothing was taken.  Makes me think it was an in house job rather than a outside party.

 

"If you can read this

You're in Range"

Deterrants
signs - Beware of Dog, Alarm signs
dog props - bowls, big bones,
motion sensor lights
Big shoes by doors and gates
lights on timers

Security
alarm system
dead bolts
solid core front door and bedroom door

 

 

Call my brother Howard at Kaamaina Tinting 636-8810

He offers 2A discounts....and does homes also

My garage has been hit many times stealing misc crap stuff.  Hence I no longer keep anything in the garage.  Inside the home I have a 50 lb dog and a 100 lb free roaming. 

I have a motion light that sends an X-10 signal to a chime. Anytime someone approaches the house, the chime goes off. No surprises. Cameras have also helped.
 

Motion sensing sprinklers can be a good deterrant to pesky cats, dogs, and possibly the impromptu burglar.

Motion sensing sprinklers can be a good deterrant to pesky cats, dogs, and possibly the impromptu burglar.

Hahaha, that's jacked up.

Funny but jacked up.

Hahaha, that's jacked up.

Funny but jacked up.

An oldie but a goodie:

M18

Nuff said...

Alarms?
Useless on a smash and dash

Dog props?
Useless,  there are other observable tell tales that there is a dog around... if they are not there, no dog.

Sturdy doors and locks,
Some use, but a 200 pound man performing a running front thrust kick can generate more power than most residential construction can handle

Cameras
Useless, provides after the fact evidence... however from experience, PD doesnt care if you got the mut's picture... they dont care about residential theft or property damage. Odds of capturing a burgalar after the fact even with security cam footage? slim to none.

A dog
Some use... if it large enough and agressive enough to hold its own in a fight. If it yaps and can be punted like a football... useless.

Signs
Detrimental, basically to a burgalar any anti theft or security sign reads "break into this home, there is expensive stuff here" 

Anyway... if some one wants in they will get in no mater what you do...
If you are at home you best be willing to go all the way to protect your space, or be willing to abandon your home and wait for the police.
If you are not home, unless you have a real dog who will rock an intuder's world... you are screwed.

Best way to deter a prowler?  A well trained german shepard, malinois, pit, or rottie, or a pissed off home owner with a 12 gauge shotgun.

As for the attitude force is last resort... well sure, but you come into my home uninvited and im home?  You die, pretty simple... if you come in unarmed trust me -before the PD Comes to clean up the mess, you will be if you catch my drift.    If im not home... you'll have to deal with Lucy.
Who is lucy? Shes a 70 pound pit mix,  she is a brawler if threatened. If you hurt her and get away? I WILL track you down myself... you better hope the cops find you before I do. My dog is family.

Edit: forgot to mention... good neghbors, they can be quite useful. The kind of folks that know to ask a stranger in the neighborhood what hes doing round these parts.

I can see your point on a few things mr snuff, but I think there are some holes in what you are suggesting.  How I read your post, you are basically stating that if someone really wants in your house they are going to get in.  Ok, but the purpose of this thread when I started it was to get and share ideas of different ways or methods to DETER the criminal element from considering breaking into your home.  There is not going to be a guarantee that doing any of these things will indefinately prevent a break in, but I would like to think that these preventive measures will decrease the odds of someone targeting your home.  So here's my take:

alarms - well if it's useless, you might as well not have a car alarm either...  I would assume that a criminal would rather break into a home without a alarm and get a clean in and out without the noise of a house alarm going off and bringing attention to that specific area.  House alarms are loud.

Dog props - I think this is done for the initial look.  If someone is scoping out a neighborhood, they may want to pass by a home with a beware of dog sign.  Does it mean that it will prevent a theft?  Maybe not, but it could deter some to look elsewhere.

Sturdy doors and locks - IMO this is dependant upon the installation of said door or lock.  In my case a security door.  From what I have been told from personnel in the HFD, even with the equipment that they have to break down/pry open doors, they told me it is very difficult to do so.  If those guys have a hard time getting in, I am comfortable saying that your average criminal trying to break in that door will fail... Unless they have alot of time to do so.

Cameras - Another deterent.  Do you happen to be or know someone in HPD?  As you post as if you know HPD's operating procedures in a investigation of a theft.  I would like to know the statistics of what you suggest, if that even exists.  From what I've seen recently, if it's on camera the news media outlets seems to have no problem playing it on the evening news.  Last night I watched the news and they showed a security camera footage of a group of guys stealing  a moped, although I don't think that was a home but maybe a residential apartment area.

A dog - Same as before, having a dog may not prevent someone from successfully breaking into your home, but may deter someone from considering your home as a target if they hear the dog.

Signs - Sure it may bring attention to potential burglars’ advertising that you have valuables inside.  But would you want to be the one home without a sign in a community that all has signs and alarms?