Catching Burglars

[chris snell]

A friend's business has been broken into three times this week. The police take 20-30 minutes to arrive and are pretty much unable to do anything about it. He's been sleeping there for the last few nights, trying to catch these guys but they haven't come back yet.

He needs some ideas for how to catch these guys. He's considering an upgraded video surveillance system but I'm not sure if that will be enough.

Surely somebody here has a crafty idea for how to catch a thief.

Before anybody suggests it, rattlesnakes or guard dogs are not good options for this guy.

 

[crown14]

tray of water ~inch deep just inside the door.





dont forget the drop cord.

 

[61rover]

Motion sensors (inside) directed at all doors and windows. Connect to VERY LOUD PA horns and alarm. No one will stay when those go off.

I think there should be open season on them, just like all vermin, but that's just me.

 

[chris snell]

There is already a motion- and sound-detecting security sound system. It has a very loud siren but the business is in a commercial area and there's nobody around to pay attention.

 

[varova87]

http://www.thecannonstore.com/details.asp?prodID=W10GB

ohh, why not.

 

[BaldEagle]

a thief broke into a bank that my dad worked at and he locked himself in the safe on accident. that doesnt really help you but it reminded me of it.

can you taze (or shoot) said burglar? a few rounds my way keeps me in my place

 

[varova87]

a few rounds my way keeps me in my place

i hope you dont know this from experience!

 

[az_max]

your best bet is to get clear pics of their faces and possibly their vehicle for police. 16ch dvr hidden in the ceiling or a room other than the office hooked to zero lux cameras. Maybe a few IR illuminators to help the camera see longer. Maybe cell phone/gps tracking devices in expensive boxes.

Booby traps will get you sued faster than maiming someone.

 

[61rover]

Not to hijack, but in order to get certified as a Taser instructor, you used to have to agree to take a shot. Don't know if that's still the case. Oh man those things suck.

 

[az_max]

I asked the PD commander about getting the shotgun fired taser cartridge, he said he'd get them if he could taze me first. I told him I'd consider it

they do taze new police recruits. Along with pepper spray. They want you to know how it feels and how to fight through it.

Back on topic, can you hire off-duty officers for a few nights?

 

[D Chapman]

Invest in an intellect/DVR system. You can get a small 8-camera compatible system for pretty cheap, ~a couple hundred bucks. You can program the cameras to only come on when motion is detected in a selected area. I.E. when a door opens or someone walks through a doorway.

You can also put these systems on-line. By doing that, you can then watch the cameras from home or any place you have an Internet connection.

The guy is not doing him self any favors by having the alarm company call the police. Police response to dozens of commercial alarms a day, 99% of the time it's a false alarm. So, it's no surprise that it takes them so long to respond. He may have the alarm programed to page or call him on his cell phone in addition to calling the police.

As far as alarms sounding, the burglars could care less. The only way the sounds is going to deture the burglars is to have the noise so fucking loud it breaks their concentration and makes them paranoid. Imagine a train horn blowing in your ear while you try to remember WTF you're doing.....

How are the folks gaining entry? What are they taking?

 

[az_max]

30 gal air tank and train horns they may not be scared off, but people for a mile radius will know you're being robbed.

 

[scottjal]

The video surveillance stuff is all over the place out there, I think there are several systems in my local Costco. Hide the recorder very well though as thieves know about these things and take the evidence. I like the pager and internet surveillance ideas but what are you going to do? Call the police personally so that they respond quicker?

 

[ChrismonDA]

I asked the PD commander about getting the shotgun fired taser cartridge, he said he'd get them if he could taze me first. I told him I'd consider it

they do taze new police recruits. Along with pepper spray. They want you to know how it feels and how to fight through it.

Back on topic, can you hire off-duty officers for a few nights?

Have you ever been tazed? Holy shit that hurts but only for a minute its a hell of alot better than pepper spray. But those shotgun fired tasers look pretty cool.

 

[Drillbit]

they make trip chord fired pepper spray "bug bomb" looking things. I would say that would be fairly effective. Pepper spray is some miserable stuff.

 

[LR3 Owner]

5 Gallon Bucket of Icewater above the door... It wont catch the burgler but It will scare the shit out him...

 

[nosivad_bor]

hire an armed guard

 

[gugubica]

Back on topic, can you hire off-duty officers for a few nights?

Depending on department regs, you most likely can hire an officer for security. It typically is not cheap though.

 

[TNROVERS]

Depending on department regs, you most likely can hire an officer for security. It typically is not cheap though.

Could you write it off on your taxes or get in insurance company to cover some of the cost? I think an off-duty officer or armed security guard would be the way to go for a few nights.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

alan babayan on this board does this for a living...send him a e-mail he will set you up with everything you need