Stopping break ins?

Question

What are some ways to prevent break-ins, theft, and vandalism to vacant homes?

Alarm systems?  Not keen on doing that (monitored) 
for a short term.  Lighting?

Someone stole copper out of one of mine this week.  I thought there was less of that now with copper prices being down from the last couple of years.  Fortunately, they left the AC alone.  I filed a police (sherriff) report, but what else can I do to stop it from being repeated?

Account Closed · Answer

The least expensive way would be to make it look like someone is living there.

Cover the windows with cheap curtains and have lights on timers. Leave a radio or cheap tv playing so it can be heard and maybe leave a car in the driveway.

You could also use portable alarm systems that could be moved from jobsite to jobsite as well.

These would be some inexpensive ways.

Chris

Scott M. · Answer

Cheap things to do are:
          
          Put a "sticker" in the windows that the home is monitored (make them yourself - copy whatever is common in your area).
          
          Motion lights on the side and back of the home.
          
          Fake security cameras either inside a window that they can see or hanging outside of an upper window.  Most have lights that run on batteries (a small red light showing it is on and "recording") and they even have motion ones that move in a sweep pattern.  Range from $40 - $100.
          
          more expensive ideas would be put bars up or board up the home....or partially board it up - boarding up the back ground floor and maybe the back side windows.
          
          Companies like VPS can put metal on your doors / windows
          
          You already mentioned a security system
          
          My last thought is if someone really wants to get in your home - they will :)
          
          Oh - well I guess my last thoughts are....screw the windows shut - put a 2x4 or bar that prevents the windows from being pried open - they can still break it but they can't open it.
          
          Lowe's sells the "kick bars" - I saw them on "Mythbusters" and they couldn't get into a door that had the "kick bar" on it....that is good to use for a side door
          
          They also sell small battery operated key pads that have lights on them and they make sound - you can put those on the front of the house - people see the lights and night and think it is being protected.  Just push some keys every time you enter / leave the house makes it look like your turning on/off a system.
          
          They even have little magnetic devices you can put in the doors and windows that will make one hell of a noise if the seal is broken - enough to scare someone away - those are battery operated as well.

Lights and a radio on timers to make them turn on / off different times of the day.  Curtins or blinds in all the windows etc.....
          
          That should get you started :)

Timothy W. · Answer

"What are some ways to prevent break-ins, theft, and vandalism to vacant homes?"

Paint copper pipes white or black.  That way they look like pvc or iron.  If someone's smart enough to figure out that they're actually copper, they're smart enough to know that painted copper loses about 80% salvage value.

That's all people break in for around me.  Doesn't prevent the hundred bucks damage to the door.  That gets annoying.  The best way to prevent the break in is get moving on re-tenanting the property.

Tim

Tom C · Answer

Buy a $500 beater car or truck and leave it in the driveway and turn on a small tv. I will often park my work truck in the driveway when I am rehabbing and use my car to drive back and forth. and cover the windows.

J Scott · Answer

This is what I use in all my houses:

http://www.lasershield.net

It's portable, and doesn't require a phone line (there is a wireless unit you can get instead)...

Ty Hines · Answer

Scott you gave some great ideas some I never thought about. I myself use four tactics mainly, two were mentioned already and that was boarding up the back windows & doors and using a lot of lighting. I do not put curtains or blinds up to the front windows for the simple fact that if someone is inside they can be seen. I also get neighbors involved by offering to buy them lunch once a week if they keep a eye on the house. Even people who live in middle to low income areas care about their neighborhoods.

Jon Klaus · Answer

Great ideas Scott and Chris.  I'll try some of these things.  Thanks.

Stopping break ins?

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