First encounter with vandalism

[Rob Strickland]

So last night I had my first encounter with vandalism on a 3 unit property that my father and I just bought and are rehabbing ourselves.  I got a call from a neighbor around 8pm informing me that several teenagers were on the porch kicking out the handrail.  I live just down the street so I got over there quickly, but the kids had already left and the porch handrail was sprawled all over the driveway.  I called the police who arrived around 20 min later and filled out a report, but they expressed concern that the vandals may return and try to enter the units which contain tools and new finishes.  I will have one of the 3 units occupied in the next 2 weeks, but we still have quite a bit of work to do on the other 2 and it may be another 2 months until I have it fully occupied.  Does anyone have any tips on what could help serve as a deterrent for vandals coming on the property while we are finishing up renovations on the units?  

[Amanda Hensley]

There are portable, remote security systems you can purchase and set up in the unit.