Paranoid, or smart?

[petefrom bearswamp]

We live at the end of a 700+ ft long driveway out of sight of the road and in the woods.
Have been pretty proactive as regards security.
Installed a driveway alarm system in 1995 and upgraded it in abut 2009
Also have had a security system in the house and shop building since 2000.
This system had a subscription call center to alert the authorities, but the only time the system was activated thru the call center after 35 or 40 minutes the law hadn't shown up so we cancelled this
 aspect.
Since then I have added a google nest and home system, a doorbell and 3 cameras.
I can access the cameras from anywhere I have cell signal.
There are firearms in strategic places in the house.
Both the wife and I hope that we never have to rely on any of the above, but in today's conditions  .....?
What sort of security do you folks use?
 

[YellowHammer]

Multiple, many surveillance cameras linked to cloud and our phones.  Driveway alarm, license plate cameras, proximity alarm and stuff.  Backup internet systems so if one goes out our gets cut, I link to the other.

The best security system we have is a high dollar, professional condo or apartment style metal security gate that stays closed during the week.  It has a rolling code, l so my truck is programed and it operates like a garage door.  If someone needs to get in, they have the code and can punch it on the professional keypad.  If they don't have the code, they don't get in.  This keeps transient people from just "cruising" down our driveway, which used to happen all the time.  Out of sight, out of mind.  

[moodnacreek]

Nothing. It has been a long time since we left the keys in the car. I bet some of you old timers could find the keys as well as drive stick. I encourage long time customers to come in and help themselves. For 1 thing, there is way too much work here for me and it should keep the strangers confused, I hope. People are shocked nothing is locked. Something like a new chainsaw I might hide. Most any thing here is for sawmill/wood yard work and the lazies should have no interest. I am however worried about the fuel tanks now that they contain liquid gold.

[aigheadish]

I'm pretty sure my things of value are likely significantly less than you guys, but I've actually decreased the minimal security I started with. 

In my previous house, on a nice block or two, of the meth'd out capital of Ohio (maybe the country for a bit), Dayton, I had door locks and a bogus ADT sign out front. That neighborhood could get sketchy but I also had a barky dog. The only thing I'd ever had stolen was a snow shovel that was on my front porch and (hilariously) they replaced it with a crappier snow shovel.

Since moving out to the urban country (most yards are at least 2 acres up to around 12 acres) our house came with a big metal gate over the driveway and a security system. We never activated the security system and I gave the gate to my neighbor. We are back about 300' off the road and it's usually tough to realize a house is even there. Beyond that it's door locks. I keep the house and barn both locked up. The gate neighbor has cameras that cover some of my driveway and I've considered (and I've actually bought 2) cameras but I've never put them up. It still crosses my mind occasionally but I've not done it. Debatably, this area is more inclined to see crime than my last neighborhood but has been ok. We did have a bout with heroin dealers that would do their dealings down the way but that's seemed to have stopped.  

[bigblockyeti]

I moved into a nice neighborhood in a state that doesn't endorse violent crime.

[sawguy21]

Having lived in the city, I automatically lock my truck even though the risk in our small town seems low. My house mate who has been here for 50 years doesn't bother with his, he even leaves the window down and the house unlocked unless we are both away. That is not to say the community is crime free but we have not had problems...yet.

[SawyerTed]

We each have to decide on the security measures that make us feel relatively secure.  I think you are being smart. 

I have alarms, cameras, deadbolts and reinforced strike plates.  We lock everything and set our alarms diligently.

We had a $30,000 burglary in 2010.  We keep our security measures on a need to know basis since.  

Our big dog does as much for security as anything else.  She keeps the door to door stuff and late night shenanigans in check. We have a lot less, "we are lost, can you give us directions", " I'm offering free carpet cleaning to demonstrate the SuperX carpet cleaner " since Dixie, our big dog, took up residency here. 

[Crusarius]

I used to have a magnetic driveway sensor on my driveway. The problem is it only has about a 400' range according to the book but in all essence, I am lucky to be at 200'. unfortunately, it quit working quite a while ago and I cannot find a suitable alarm.

The only reason I had the alarm was to warn me someone was coming before they surprised me or my wife. I have not been able to find a suitable replacement. Most of the sensors are motion sensors. I live in the woods, the deer use the driveway more than we do. If I had motion only, I think I would lose my mind with it always going off.

anybody had any suggestions for a replacement?

[Patrick NC]

Like @SawyerTed said,  dogs are a good deterrent for most people.  Our entire yard is fenced and the dogs have free range of it. We have no kids at home and I'm never more than 3 steps from a pistol and 10 steps from the AR. We had a little problem with the local trash stealing gas a few years ago. I gained a reputation that day for going from 0-psycho in about 1 second.  That helps a lot too. If the thieves know that you have no problem confronting them on their own turf they will most likely look for easier targets.

[YellowHammer]

At night, or even during the day, if someone is on our property or at our gate, then I want to know about it. Period.  If they get onto our property, then I want to know about it before they knock on the door.  

We have a 1,000 foot radio frequency beam break alarm on the road before our gate.  If someone drives down our road, they break the beam, an alarm beep goes off in the house, and my cell phone camera turns on and I instantly can see who is on our road, well before they get to the gate.  We can watch them turn around, and we can watch the drunks try to do a 3 point turn and tear down out barb wire fence.  Several times....  Zero effort and only a little money.  Cameras and technology is so easy to use these days, and are invaluable for knowing what is going on where there isn't supposed to be anything going on.  No different than putting deer cameras that ping and send real time video to a cell phone, the same things is equally easy to do on a driveway or gate with modern security cameras.

I can tell when the UPS guy is coming up the driveway, when the mail comes, when the garbage guys pick up, and when an unannounced customer shows up when I'm up at the house eating lunch.  "Bing Bing! Buzz and I pull out my iPhone, look at the screen and say "Fedex is here."  As a matter of fact, today when I came back from fishing, my wife calls me up from my daughter's house 45 minutes away and asks how I did, and that she saw me on the camera come through the gate.  What could be simpler or more useful?  
   

[Ron Wenrich]

I don't lock anything.  No cameras, no security and the dog has died and hasn't been replaced.  I live back a 1/2 mile lane.  FedEx can't find me.  The neighbor has half the property surrounded by a chain link fence.  They also have better stuff to steal.  We don't live in a high crime area.

I got robbed 1 time 40 yrs ago.  The dog was in the house and the doors were locked.  Amazing how a dog cookie can make new friends.  The guy was caught.  Cops said he was doing life in jail on the installment plan.  He was to make restitution.  I'm still waiting on that. 

When we travel, we do have someone who house sits.  Its a good vacation for him to get away from family.  He also keeps an eye on things and fixes problems.  Never any problems.  

[petefrom bearswamp]

Crusarius, My driveway alarm is a magnetic sensor, Dakota alert.
the sensor came with only 50 ft of wire, so I spliced another 50 ft to get the transmitter closer to the house.
The splice is in a piece of 3/4 grey pvc 12" long filled with siicone.
I have receivers in both the house and my shop.
It is not perfect but OK
My electric line is UG in the center of the driveway and a surge such as from lightning will trigger the alarm.
Robert, I wish I could afford the systems you have.
Back in '88 in a former house we never locked the doors.
Went on a mini vacation to Canada and while we were gone we were burglarized.
The thieves took 2 .22 handguns, some ammo and an estimated 50 bucks cash we kept in a can in a drawer for suppers  out. (remember when 50 bucks bought a very nice supper?)
The jerks went in thru the kitchen window while the door was unlocked.
Had Allstate homeowners ins then and they paid for both guns and even reimbursed us for the estimated cash amount.
One handgun was recovered a few years later, but as I had purchased one new one I didnt follow up on getting it back.
we did lock after that.

[kantuckid]

If we had a call center, maybe I'd use something that connected but chances are very good that won't happen for a very long time in our area. 
When we're gone on longer trip, a friend stops by to check on things. The home, shop and barns are all unseen by public view and often unlocked. It may be of some help that our neighbor below us at the pavement is a state cop and parks his cruiser across the road from his home and both our driveway entrances. 
Since 1980 when we moved in, the only item stolen was a fishing rod sitting out, that we know the meter reader likely was the culprit. 
Knock on wood, the area lacks much crime other than the drugs and domestic stuff, traffic stops are around 99.9% of court news and jury duty mostly never meets here. We have our thief's, like anywhere, but so far, so good.
I've tossed around getting a game camera, but none so far. 
Firearms are handy in locked safes next to the beds both up and downstairs and the owners a former competitive shooter, so look out if you come. :D
After burying 4 dogs on this place and once our kids were grown, we just don't want another dog. 
Trash gets picked up a log ways from the house. UPS man and FedEx are about it up here, other than us.   

[aigheadish]

Cop living next door, leaving the cruiser nearby is one of the best security systems out there! Sweet!

Thanks for sharing the name of that alarm Pete, I'm checking it out. Is it possible to make the alarm sound an amplified (oh, 100 decibels should do it) shotgun racking noise that I can point, with a speaker, down the driveway?

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

We are in the process of relocating to a property about 3 hours away from our current home. Its fairly deep in the woods with only a handful of neighbors. So far we have not had any crime to speak of (peck wood) but there has been a ton of folks that slip in to hunt without permission. Not a big deal but they threw trash all down the road. That irritates me to no end. I put up 4 Arlo brand cameras that link to the cloud and our phones. Problem solved. Just seeing the cameras would cause folks who were not given permission to leave and not come back. Trash problem over for now. The sheriff is a friend of a friend of mine so we were introduced. He had to check a map cause he had not been up there in so long he wasnt sure I was in his county :D. I took that as a good sign as well. Cant be too safe. I say smart, Brian

[barbender]

"Life sentence on the installment plan", I know of a few of those guys too🤦‍♂️

[B.C.C. Lapp]

I don't lock anything.  No cameras, no security and the dog has died and hasn't been replaced.  I live back a 1/2 mile lane.  FedEx can't find me.  The neighbor has half the property surrounded by a chain link fence.  They also have better stuff to steal.  We don't live in a high crime area.

Much like Ron I leave my keys in my trucks, tools in the boxes unlocked. Never lock the house.   My drive way is two tenths of a mile long and not many people even know the farm is back here. 
I don't live in a high crime, or much of any crime area either.    Only two other places on my road and one of them is a camp.   
Lastly I do have one measure in place that has kept and hopefully would keep us safe from ne're do wells that do know my place is here.   A reputation earned when I was much younger and dumber that seems to live on.   Do 12 or 15 crazy things that people wont forget before your 30. After that it seems you can pretty well coast on that and people give you space. :D :D

[woodroe]

I've got a cable up now with flagging hanging off it . We are back off the road far enough to be secluded.  Take the cable  down for deliveries or quests which aren't very often.
I've had people drive up selling meat out of a freezer in the back of a truck, apples out of a car trunk, politicians too many to count all who don't obey no trespassing signs. ATV came up from out back one night , drove right by the house and down the driveway. If I had had the cable up then I could have caught up with him. Law here is no motorized vehicles on private property w/o permission.
Pulled in one late afternoon years ago after work and there was a deputy from the next county over in the house, unmarked car, supposedly looking for someone . Wife had let him in being afraid of authority and all. He high tailed it to his car and took off before i had a chance to see what he was there for.
Fed up with the solicitors and others invading our privacy.

[kantuckid]

I don't lock anything.  No cameras, no security and the dog has died and hasn't been replaced.  I live back a 1/2 mile lane.  FedEx can't find me.  The neighbor has half the property surrounded by a chain link fence.  They also have better stuff to steal.  We don't live in a high crime area.

Much like Ron I leave my keys in my trucks, tools in the boxes unlocked. Never lock the house.   My drive way is two tenths of a mile long and not many people even know the farm is back here.  
I don't live in a high crime, or much of any crime area either.    Only two other places on my road and one of them is a camp.    
Lastly I do have one measure in place that has kept and hopefully would keep us safe from ne're do wells that do know my place is here.   A reputation earned when I was much younger and dumber that seems to live on.   Do 12 or 15 crazy things that people wont forget before your 30. After that it seems you can pretty well coast on that and people give you space. :D :D

I'm fascinated by your reputation/history as you lay out here in an untold manner. Were you a serial killer in a past life or what?
Reminds me of the TN sheriff made into movies, Buford Pusser who was tougher on crime than most sheriffs.
 
Trying to find a way to understand bad people avoiding your property as during the time I worked with criminals for a living (adults and juvy) many had no sense about much of anything they did.
More than a few, once locked up, dried out or off a substance were fairly decent folks. Out running loose it's a whole different story.
 
Last count, I had 5 "uninvited" deer stands on our place. That was 2+ years ago and I re-posted the boundaries and every tree with a stand back then. I'm building right below that ridge area where the stands are located and prefer to not get shot nor have unknowns who might shoot towards our home down below.
 KY deer gun season is 11, 12-27 and the deer we don't hunt have already become real scarce and no longer seen munching in our yard like pets. I don't even see them deep in the woods, squirrels are all that's left. Wife told me to wear a vest while playing carpenter up there. If I hear a gun shot I play something else. 

[petefrom bearswamp]

The driveway alarm sounds in the house and shop building, not outside, but I think it could be modified to do so
as for sounds there are several to choose from, but no racking of a pump shotgun

[SawyerTed]

It does help to cultivate a reputation of sorts.

Around 1990 when I was teaching school and starting a family, I cultivated a bit of a reputation- for my wife.  

I was talking with a group of students during break one afternoon.  One of my students asked, "Mr Summey, what would you do if I came up in your yard one night?"

My answer was, "I'd come outside and say Timmy, what are you doing in my yard?  But it isn't me you have to worry about." 

Timmy asked, "What do you have, some kind of mean ol' pit bull or something?"

I said, "No, I don't have a big dog but you will have to worry about my wife.  She has babies in the house, she'll just shoot you and nobody will blame her."  :D

That helped keep the high School shenanigans in check.   

[kantuckid]

The driveway alarm sounds in the house and shop building, not outside, but I think it could be modified to do so
as for sounds there are several to choose from, but no racking of a pump shotgun

Back in the days of my pirated land line phone in my woodshop, I had a loud alarm bell for my phones ringer to hear while using hearing protection. When we went to our phone company sourced internet the guy told me the line would no longer work given the fiber optic cable connection.
 
My concern is the booger man that comes when we are gone, not hearing an alarm. My wife has hearing equivalent toa German Sheperd FWIW. :D