Off topic--farmstead security ideas

I wanted to ask for advice on what is the best way to have some sort of security for my farmstead. There have been recently burglaries in my area. I work during the day so my home and farmstead are wide open. I do live right next to the road, and have asked my neighbor to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. But I should have something more in place.

What are some of the options for farmstead security when you are out in the boondocks like I am? Do I need to invest in security cameras? Or should I just put up a sign that says "these premises are under surveillance". Someone told me that if you do that then it especially makes your place a target--because it is a challenge to the bad guys.

Any advice appreciated!

It cost a lot of money, but my house/shop have a wireless security system. It will do no good with professional thieves, they can disable it. For the run of the mill petty thieves, a very loud siren goes off. It is "supposed" to scare them off. Then the secuity people call me -- if I am not home the sheriff is called. By the time he gets there I will be cleaned out if they don't leave. I don't know if it works because I have not needed it -- yet.

I have a big dog that protects my place while I am away. He"s never bit anyone, but he has a big bark.

Make it as difficult for the bad guys as possible.

If they want in, they will get in. Normally, though, burglars want to get inside and out of sight quickly. Make it so that initial kick to the door doesn't break it down, and most will move on. The more they have to pry and bang to gain access, the more chance they have to get discovered. It's not worth it unless they're drug-crazed, or you have something they REALLY want.

Ever watch that show, "It takes a thief?" It's a joke because they usually have to resort to forcefully smashing in windows or doors to get in for the initial burglary. For the "after" break in, the crook rattles the door handles, taps on a few windows and says, "Oh dear, I can't get in. What a wonderful job of security these people are doing now." Hey moron, didn't you back a van through their garage door to get in the first time????

I have a Pit-Bull Lab cross, sweet as can be, loves my children to pieces (not literally), is ok with strangers if my wife, myself or my tenants are home, but if we are not home or it is dark out she will not let them past the gates. Best security device I have ever owned.

a few strategically placed "deer cameras" would be an option too. nothing like a photo catching them in the act. (hopefully you can see a face or license plate) Just remember to check the film, etc. so the camera is always ready.

remember: out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately there is never enough shed space, but those items you can protect indoors, lock the doors, and make sure it's tamper-evident so during your daily/weekly inspections, you can see immediately that something is awry.
also, good fences make good neighbors. Any type of privacy fence or tree/bush line or even forage wagons can provide enough visual blockage too keep them from being teased to stop. BUT nothing will stop a motivated theif--they'll even remove fenders, injector pumps, if they feel motivated enough. I used to think that leaving dead tractors intact rather than disassembled in easy to grab parts would keep the thefts down, but no longer! either way you can be punked.


karl f

CNKS my question is if they pick up your phone will and say that they are you what happens do they still send someone out to check or is there some kind of security word or something

I've been in the security business for 36 years, video systems, long range wireless, intrusion detection, backup communications, you name it, I have done it. Sad that this type of post is surfacing more and more often.

First law of security is to secrue the perimiter, nice to catch them while their still standing in the dirt. Second to that is to have interior traps, motions, interior doors, photo eyes, glass breaks, etc. The most stable motions are the dual technology, microwave, passive infrared, where both technologies have to trip together in order to initate an alarm in other words a rapid change in IR levels combined with a physical moving target through the air column is required.

Locations of motions are "key". A typical system has 2 or 3, positioned away from moving air sources and pets are a consideration too although I have been using "pet immune" detectors that can diferentiate between a human and a pet up to 40 lbs., they have specific mounting heights and specific requirements as far as distances to a possible pet location (jumping on table, etc). Position them where an intruder is most likely to cross.

A hybrid system that uses hard wrie and wire devices is desireable. If your shop is within 200 feet or so, range should not be a problem.

Phone lines are another consideration for monitored systems. If you really want it secure and dont want to spend the money for a 500-1000 cell backup system, rerun the telco line from the street to the attic and wire your phones from there. Then run a trip wire from the alarm panel back down to the old demark (where the wire from the pole came from) and program that silent, so when the cut the lines, a silent signal goes to the station. They think their home free and usually get caught if it's set up right.

As far as cameras, this is definitly an area where you get what you pay for. You want high resolution, low light cameras, 540tvl, .7,.3 lux or lower. Some black and white units claim .03 lux and they do well in moonlight or a little aux lighting. If there outside you need enviromental enclosures. Forget about getting tag numbers unless you have a camera tightened down on a target or trap area where that's the only place they can park. For anything to stand up in court, there can be no doubt that the image the judge is looking at is definitly the person sitting in front of him or the judge will throw it out.

DVR's Digital Video Recorders are the only decent way to go these days. I use industrial units from a few different manufacturers depending on the application, Pelco (casino grade) Avermedia (nice software, fast and user friendly) and a few others depending on what my budget is.

To give you an ides, I just finished a 3 camera (high end cams) and a 4 channel dvr and it ran him 3700, I made about 600 on the deal I'm not looking for big profit, just trying to help the people out. Another system only has 4 cameras (all very high end) and a 16 channer Avermedia DVR and it ran 8400 but it has a controllable camera that you can program to run patterns and it switches over to b&w at night for better imaging. I could go on forever, if youd like to call me for any more advice email me at [email protected].

Hey everyone--thanks for the advice!

They ask for a security code. Also I believe if the thieves cut my phone line the security people get notified.