A few days after installing exterior cameras, I received an alert and saw three teenagers in my backyard. One of them asked, “Are we allowed back here?” and an older one replied, “Nope.” The third then suggested, “We should take this,” referring to my brand new wood pellet grill.
I was watching and listening through my phone while heading to the back door. As soon as they heard the door unlocking, one of them exclaimed, “Oh shit!” and they all fled quickly. At the time, I felt relieved because nothing was stolen and I was made aware of an issue I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. However, now I’m considering what could have happened if they had been armed or if I hadn’t been home when I got the alert.
What do people think about how to respond to such situations when you are at home versus when you’re away?
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If you weren’t present at the time, I’m not sure what options you might have. The only thing I can think of is calling the police, though having attack drones would be pretty cool. Alternatively, a well-trained dog with outdoor access or a doggy door could act as a strong deterrent. As for your other question, if you’re in the US, having a gun might be the answer. If they are armed, which is likely, it could quickly escalate into a home invasion if you’re not also armed. Just my two cents it’s a wild world out there. Stay safe and protect your grill!
I guess the one thing I thought of if not home at the time was that I could say something over the camera, maybe “get out of here or I call the police”. And then see how they react.
25lbs of French Bulldog followed by 125lbs of Cane Corso.
First, report the trespass to the police and have them file a report. Provide them with images of the kids and a recording of their comment, “we should take this.”
Second, make sure to secure and obscure your outdoor property. I can’t offer specific advice based on your needs and resources, but remember that no security measure is completely foolproof. Think of your efforts as delaying tactics rather than foolproof solutions. The principle of security through obscurity can be effective; if things aren’t easily visible, they are less likely to attract unwanted attention, giving you more time to respond and increasing the chance of apprehension.
Finally, either learn how to use your existing equipment for remote communication or install a system that lets you speak with people outside without opening the door and putting yourself at risk.
If your cameras are equipped with sirens, statistics suggest that 70% of potential burglars flee when they hear one. You can activate it manually if your camera allows.
Try using this option before opening any doors or looking through windows. As others have suggested, contacting the police might be the next best step.
Call the police. Address them through a speaker. Chain up your grill/smoker/whatevers. Buy a gun.
Stay inside and keep the door locked. Ensure your cameras are recording. If they steal your pellet grill, file a police report and provide the footage. Then, file an insurance claim.
Avoid going outside if there’s a threat outside. One of the main reasons you have a house is to keep dangerous situations outside and yourself safe inside. Going out to confront the threat undermines the purpose of having a secure home.
If the threat begins to enter your home and does so violently, follow local laws. In many jurisdictions, you may assume that someone entering your home violently intends harm to the occupants. In such cases, you might have the right to take action if necessary consult legal counsel for specific advice based on your location.
You didn’t mention whether you had a fence or not. They won’t keep people out who really want to be there, but they are somewhat of a deterrent. Also, motion sensor lights are a good idea.
Each deterrent enhances your overall security. Burglars prefer not to be noticed and aim to leave quickly to avoid getting caught. Motion-activated floodlights can scare many away and are effective whether you’re home or still asleep. Cameras can also act as a deterrent by making the thief visible, not hidden. Additionally, having a dog is a strong deterrent. Consider planting thorny rose bushes at all entry points to make it more difficult for intruders to climb over fences and access your property.