Because I have nothing better to do... (NBR)

tamarar5 · August 2014

Help me devise ways of vandal proofing my garage and vehicles.

Back story: My garage is detached and faces the alley. We have been plagued by punk a$$ vandals breaking in to our cars and garage. Other than my husband's air compressor a couple of weeks ago, they never take anything of real value. They steal our sunglasses, phone chargers, a cordless drill... one time it was a brand new, unopened box of picture hangers. Mostly it's completely random stupid crap. The police won't even take a report most of the time, despite numerous complaints. Even worse, it seems as though we are the only people on the block being targeted.

So. Shoot me your ideas! They don't have to be realistic or helpful, but those would also be greatly appreciated. (I've checked into like ADT and things, but since its detached, we'd have to install two systems and that's just too much money.) I've given serious consideration to electrifying my husband's truck or sticking the grill lighter on the doorknob of the garage al la Home Alone style!

cashews29 · August 2014

You can buy a security system and just not connect it to ADT. It will still have a loud ass alarm that goes off when someone breaks it, it just won't call ADT or the police.

Buy a mean dog.

tamarar5 · August 2014

@cashews29 I'm thinking about one of those driveway doorbells that you can set the tone to? My grandfather has one that allowed you to record your own sounds. I thought I'd do bullets flying or something.

We *have* a dog, and her bark is pretty mean sounding, but she's just too small to be effective. And your yard is fenced, it just doesn't include the garage entrance.

Allison7 · August 2014

Buy some security cameras and motion sensitive lights and see if you can catch them. Or you could put 6" nails through a piece of plywood and put it where they enter the garage.

tamarar5 · August 2014

Allison7 said:

Buy some security cameras and motion sensitive lights and see if you can catch them. Or you could put 6" nails through a piece of plywood and put it where they enter the garage.

I just wish I could figure out how the hell they are getting IN the garage!!! The electronic door is shut and we've been unplugging the opener. The person door is shut and padlocked as well as handle locked. The windows don't open... I'm at a complete loss!

Luckily, we found out when the compressor was stolen that because we have the fence, anything taken out of the fence or garage is considered a felony. So if we ever catch the little bastards, they can be charged for stealing a phone charger.

RunningJ · August 2014

I second the motion sensor lights. We have a back alley entrance and used to have issues with people poking around our shed/garage. We have a motion sensor light and haven't had any issues since then.

tamarar5 · August 2014

cath5587 said:

Motion sensor lights might scare them off.

Got them, AND our garage is right under the city streetlamp. See why this is such a WTF event? lol

violajack · August 2014

You can get dummy cameras that look like security cameras but don't actually have cameras in them for cheap.

tamarar5 · August 2014

cath5587 said:

Some Garage doors can be opened manually. Are you physically locking it with the little handles on the side?

No, but I don't think the handle on our door actually works (or its already locked). I've never been able to move it and don't own a key for it. Maybe I'll ask DH to just cut it off from the inside though, just in case.

MC03 · August 2014

Buy an adt sign off eBay and put it up. Also put up a sign saying "you are being recorded." Even better if you actually do put up cameras but even if you don't the signs themselves can discourage thieves.

oursong611 · August 2014

Sit in your garage in a lawn chair holding a shot gun (it doesn't even have to be loaded) and surprise them when they show up. Or, you could get an airsoft gun and just fire at will when they break into the garage. It won't do any permanent damage, but those things do sting! Maybe next time they'll think twice about robbing you!

shevaCC · August 2014

I was just coming in here to suggest motion sensor lights but if you already have those, then I'm not sure what else.

Do check that your garage door actually locks shut. Most have provisions for when the power is out to actually open more easily so you wouldn't get locked inside. If not unplugged, they might have an opener that has captured your garage door codes and can open it themselves.

herecomesthesun · August 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMz1tXBVT1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSO_HTBHLFI

Zip tie the auto release. If you really need to get out, you can pull on it with all your weight from the inside only and release it.

lookame3639 · August 2014

I've had kids break into my car and steal all my coins...and a cd. WTF!? if their breaking in with motion lights i doubt some signs will deter them but signs plus dummy cameras they can see may...

personally I like the sitting in the garage with a so gun idea...

Raclla · August 2014

Get a game camera off eBay.

Hunters use them to get pics of wildlife at night.

It takes a pic every time it senses motion.

Get lots of pics and blast them everywhere. FB twitter google + etc.
Post wanted signs with their pic around the neighborhood.

Want a personalized experience?

Because I have nothing better to do... (NBR)

Re: Because I have nothing better to do... (NBR)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards