Question about Securing a House Before, During & After Rehab

[David Begley]

I'd like to get as much input as possible, but am especially interested in those folks rehabbing in the east and west ends of metro Atlanta.  I currently have a couple of properties in transition neighborhoods - one block may have several $300K to $400K houses and one or two blocks over you'll find abandoned houses, crack houses, etc that are still in transition.  One of the houses has bullet holes inside, copper stolen, littered with hypodermic needles, etc..  

Any suggestions on security besides the obvious alarm system, security cages for A/C & HVAC, etc.  Are there services available that specialize in rehab protection or security?  What do others do - besides buy in better neighborhoods!