Robbed

[Dave X10]

Cameras!

They will be back. They have already cased your home and your neighborhood (your neighbor may be next). They know when you are at home (and not). Making it tough to get in may/should help. Large easily spotted surveillance cameras (big IR ones on poles) will help deter the thief's. I would record (email) an image of every car that entered the driveway (even my own) if it was me. I email an image of everyone that rings my doorbell now.

If the thief's see the cameras go up... you may deter them.

 

[Waynedb]

I also live out in the boonies, I have had my place broken into a more than once. After my first break in I installed an alarm system, after my house was broken into again, I installed some large dogs.

 

[mdonovan]

I've been doing some research on surveillance systems, and I find it a bit confusing. Can anyone point me in the direction of a system that will:

Support up to 8 cameras (I will start with 4)
Built in hard drive
Has some sort of API that I could call in a vb.net app to display video (recorded or real time), be notified when a recording is made, have full access to recorded video

Cameras color, don't really need audio, IR LEDs, night vision to 50+feet

I was looking at these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16881381066

but I don't see any kind of access for a vb.net app. Maybe that's asking too much, but I'd love to find one that supports an API.

Since my time frame for implementing video surveillance has suddenly been sped up, I don't have the luxury of doing my long term research, so I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

Matt

 

[Dave X10]

I was looking at these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16881381066
but I don't see any kind of access for a vb.net app. Maybe that's asking too much, but I'd love to find one that supports an API.

I've used a video server (a device that used my broadband connection to send video images) but a lighting ground strike killed it ...and a bunch of other stuff. I've replaced everything but the device server[video]. I now use some X10 software and video adapter. But I've heard much better reports about various video input cards with software. Of course you will need to run a PC 24/7 to get the video images out. I think email sent video or pictures has an advantage over recording... as you can't steal sent email.

Don't forget for cameras to be effective as a deterrent.. they must be seen. But to be effective to ID a crook.. they generally need to be somewhat hidden (to capture a good image).

I also use a Voice Warning setup. There are others that can be purchased... but mine was cheaply done using my Home Automation PC (and old P3 XP). I have a YouTube Video that shows the camera/voice/display in action. I think the outside Voice Warning would be effective. I use floodlight (nighttime) motion detection to trigger the response now. But will very shortly be upgrading to daytime.. as well.

One of the nice things about the video cards is they often use software (pixel location) motion detection.

 

[signal15]

I am getting these: www.djarmor.com for all the exterior doors, and I've seen a film that goes over the windows that prevents (or postpones) them breaking a window.

If you find the window film for a reasonable price, let me know. When I looked at it, it ended up costing around $1k per window, and that was last year.

For cameras, check out those Q-see setups on Costco.com. IP connectivity from the DVR, h.264 video, and pretty good pricing for what you get. No idea on the quality though, but you can always return it if it sucks.

On your insurance, I'd turn it in. That's what it's there for. Your rates creep up anyway, and switching insurance every 2-3 years keeps them low. My rental property was vandalized, broken into, and damaged by storms. I've probably had $20k worth of claims on it, and the insurance never went up. You'll save yourself $1500 by turning it in. And even if it does go up by a couple hundred bucks, it would still take 7.5 years for you to pay that back to them in premiums, by which time, you'll have long switched to a cheaper company.

Make sure when you switch, you switch MORE than 3 months before your policy is up. The new company looks at this and gives you better rates if you're not under the gun to switch.

 

[Kevin L]

On your insurance, I'd turn it in. That's what it's there for. Your rates creep up anyway, and switching insurance every 2-3 years keeps them low. My rental property was vandalized, broken into, and damaged by storms. I've probably had $20k worth of claims on it, and the insurance never went up. You'll save yourself $1500 by turning it in. And even if it does go up by a couple hundred bucks, it would still take 7.5 years for you to pay that back to them in premiums, by which time, you'll have long switched to a cheaper company.

Make sure when you switch, you switch MORE than 3 months before your policy is up. The new company looks at this and gives you better rates if you're not under the gun to switch.

I'm an insurance agent (have been for 30+ years), and I'd like to give my recs.

Turn the claim in. A $1,000 deductible is usually a wise choice as it's a significant discount over $500 ded. Since your loss is over $2,500, that's more than twice your deductible. Unless you've had more recent claims, your insurance should not be cancelled, and the rates won't go up.

Like most things, cheaper isn't always better. Though it's smart to shop every once and a while, premiums are only one factor in the evaluation of a policy. There are huge differences in coverage from policy to policy.

Companies do not charge more if you shop less than three months before you renew. There are some auto insurance companies that give advance quote discounts, but they're normally given for a week to ten days in advance. It is a good idea to start early to give yourself time to do a thorough comparison.

HTH,

Kevin

 

[mdonovan]

I am getting these: www.djarmor.com for all the exterior doors, and I've seen a film that goes over the windows that prevents (or postpones) them breaking a window.

If you find the window film for a reasonable price, let me know. When I looked at it, it ended up costing around $1k per window, and that was last year.

For cameras, check out those Q-see setups on Costco.com. IP connectivity from the DVR, h.264 video, and pretty good pricing for what you get. No idea on the quality though, but you can always return it if it sucks.

On your insurance, I'd turn it in. That's what it's there for. Your rates creep up anyway, and switching insurance every 2-3 years keeps them low. My rental property was vandalized, broken into, and damaged by storms. I've probably had $20k worth of claims on it, and the insurance never went up. You'll save yourself $1500 by turning it in. And even if it does go up by a couple hundred bucks, it would still take 7.5 years for you to pay that back to them in premiums, by which time, you'll have long switched to a cheaper company.

Make sure when you switch, you switch MORE than 3 months before your policy is up. The new company looks at this and gives you better rates if you're not under the gun to switch.

A thousand dollars per window??? Wow. I found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CNI3A2 5 feet by 10 feet doesn't cover many windows. The 100 foot roll costs $1899. I have to measure my windows to see how much I would need. I have quite a few windows on the first floor, and 4 or 5 upstairs that would be accessible by climbing on the porch roof.

Matt

Edit: I just found this too: http://cgi.ebay.com/Security-Window-film-s...id=130308409504

It's 8 mil, which is as thick as the expensive 3M stuff, I just wonder if it works as good.

 

[Kevin L]

Even though you secure the window panes, what prevents someone kicking in the whole window, just like a door.

Here in FL, they try to sell the film as hurricane protection. However, it provides minimal protection at best. Sure, the glass stays intact, but the whole window get pushed in now. I have impact windows in my home. Besides the triple-pane with a sheet of penetration-resistant plastic sandwiched between the panes, the frames and anchoring are reinforced. The windows cost two to two-and-one-half times a regular windows.

 

[jmark71]

Sorry to hear about all of this... seems that with the economy the way it is, this is happening way too often. We got hit when we were in the middle of moving out of the old house, so thankfully the ***holes who did it don't know where the new stuff is

Still - I'm not taking any chances in the new house... one other place that has the security film at a reasonable price is www.diywindowsecurity.com. I'm planning on using their stuff to handle our walk-out basement windows as well as front and back doors - it looks like it'll do the trick pretty well.

 

[beelzerob]

Very sorry to hear about your experience, Matt, and normally my advise to people with crime problems is to move to a much nice place....like PA! but I see in this case that doesn't help much.

I live in very rural central PA, near State College. Compared to southwest Arizona, there is no crime here...but your post did make me realize we've grown very lax. Being rural in a fairly nice subdivision, with the house pretty far back from the road, I realize that makes it an easier target in many ways for the local hooligans (which I'm not aware of there being, but there probably are). So I reminded the wife to be careful when some stranger comes to the door, and I think I'm going to take some steps to giving her a bit more security while she's at home (which is all day, usually). Already got the dog...

Whatever you end up doing, I just hope it can restore your sense of security, because that's usually the hardest thing to do.

 

[mdonovan]

Even though you secure the window panes, what prevents someone kicking in the whole window, just like a door.

Here in FL, they try to sell the film as hurricane protection. However, it provides minimal protection at best. Sure, the glass stays intact, but the whole window get pushed in now. I have impact windows in my home. Besides the triple-pane with a sheet of penetration-resistant plastic sandwiched between the panes, the frames and anchoring are reinforced. The windows cost two to two-and-one-half times a regular windows.

I know nothing will stop a determined crook from getting in. My idea is to delay them long enough to ensure the Elk system detects them and the cameras get a good look at them. I also hope it will just piss them off and they will move on. I watched this demo on youtube, and while that can be staged to promote the mfg's message, I watched enough It Takes a Thief and many times they used the window film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdVK3BqPfk

Matt

 

[mdonovan]

Very sorry to hear about your experience, Matt, and normally my advise to people with crime problems is to move to a much nice place....like PA! but I see in this case that doesn't help much.

I live in very rural central PA, near State College. Compared to southwest Arizona, there is no crime here...but your post did make me realize we've grown very lax. Being rural in a fairly nice subdivision, with the house pretty far back from the road, I realize that makes it an easier target in many ways for the local hooligans (which I'm not aware of there being, but there probably are). So I reminded the wife to be careful when some stranger comes to the door, and I think I'm going to take some steps to giving her a bit more security while she's at home (which is all day, usually). Already got the dog...

Whatever you end up doing, I just hope it can restore your sense of security, because that's usually the hardest thing to do.

Yea, moving to Pa won't help this time. I guess the only safe place is on the moon (I did see someone selling plots on the moon, I might have to look into that ). And while I believe the deadbolts, door jamb armor, and window films are not guaranteed to keep someone out, these are my first line of defense. The Elk will be the second level if they do get in. The cameras will hopefully get them in the act. And since they are accessible over the internet I can get some peace of mind being able to see what's going on at home. Right now I am a bit paranoid, especially with all the deliveries I have rolling in this week. IT sucks that my "ignorance is bliss" time is over and now I have to take security more seriously. I should have done it before this, but...

I have a guy coming over this afternoon to look at the deadbolt install and tell me which door jamb armor products to order. I'll feel better when the first line is installed, but I'll feel even better when the cameras are in. I decided to go ahead and order these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16881381066.

I really only need 4 cameras at this point, but my plan was to eventually install more, so now I'll just install them all at once.

Now the only thing left to order is all the door, window, and motion sensors for the elk. Look out automated outlet...

Matt

 

[signal15]

Companies do not charge more if you shop less than three months before you renew. There are some auto insurance companies that give advance quote discounts, but they're normally given for a week to ten days in advance. It is a good idea to start early to give yourself time to do a thorough comparison.

Liberty Mutual gave me a discount on Homeowner's for shopping more than 3 months from my policy renewal date.

 

[Kevin L]

Companies do not charge more if you shop less than three months before you renew. There are some auto insurance companies that give advance quote discounts, but they're normally given for a week to ten days in advance. It is a good idea to start early to give yourself time to do a thorough comparison.

Liberty Mutual gave me a discount on Homeowner's for shopping more than 3 months from my policy renewal date.

Interesting. That's the first advanced quote discount for homeowners I've heard. Three months is a long time before renewal. Usually, insurance companies don't like to guarantee rates that far in advance. In FL, for example, many companies won't quote more than 30 days in advance.

I was trying to get across that the insurance companies can't arbitrarily raise rates. They are one of the most regulated industries and must conform to filed rates and rules.

Kevin

 

[signal15]

Companies do not charge more if you shop less than three months before you renew. There are some auto insurance companies that give advance quote discounts, but they're normally given for a week to ten days in advance. It is a good idea to start early to give yourself time to do a thorough comparison.

Liberty Mutual gave me a discount on Homeowner's for shopping more than 3 months from my policy renewal date.

Interesting. That's the first advanced quote discount for homeowners I've heard. Three months is a long time before renewal. Usually, insurance companies don't like to guarantee rates that far in advance. In FL, for example, many companies won't quote more than 30 days in advance.

I was trying to get across that the insurance companies can't arbitrarily raise rates. They are one of the most regulated industries and must conform to filed rates and rules.

Kevin

I was with Allstate, and I switched to Liberty Mutual and canceled Allstate. I cut my bill in half and got WAY better coverage. Allstate kept inching my rates up on my cars and homeowners. I'd get these letters listing new policy terms every 3-4 months and they'd raise my rates. Plus, their adjusters would say that hail damage was from people walking on the roof, even though golf ball size hail fell a week previously and destroyed all of the neighbors roofs, and then deny the claim. Interestingly enough, they raised the insurance on my homeowner's and auto, but I never filed claims on those. They left alone the insurance on the rental property, and I filed all sorts of claims on that one.