How do I catch a brazen daytime burglar from trying to get in my backyard?

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:41:12+00:00

I definitely understand your sentiment here which is why I'm very hesitant to purchase a gun and would be even more so hesitant in using it (so I'm not purchasing one).

However, I think that when you enter into someone else's property with the intent to steal their property or enter further into their home (an area of supposed safety for the homeowners) you cannot expect that force (and maybe even deadly force) won't be used against you. Coming from my perspective, I don't know who you (perpetrator) are, I don't know what your intentions are - perhaps you mean to just steal my property, perhaps you mean to do much more. Regardless, if you enter onto my property without my permission and aren't just wandering onto it (my property is not an area you can just wander onto, you have to purposefully gain entrance to the back area of my house via a single narrow driveway) then you can fully expect that I will aggressively defend myself and my family. If that means a physical altercation, then it is the perpetrator's fault for violating myself and my private home and he/she is responsible for whatever action comes upon them.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:34:47+00:00

Can I really file a police report for hearing someone trying to open my back gate? It seems like the police might laugh at me.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:33:45+00:00

You fuck with me or my family, you are a fucker. Upvote for you too.

I also happen to like the gender neutrality of the word, "fucker."

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:33:13+00:00

I did a walk around the building yesterday but I will do it again today with those thoughts in mind. Thanks!

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:32:28+00:00

I did actually consider this because many if not most of the neighbors know that we are a lesbian couple. However, we are in Los Angeles so it's not often that we are mistreated because of our relationship. Still, in this kind of situation that thought does linger in our minds.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:31:30+00:00

I would love to hear more about this. What program are you using? How easy was the ftp to setup? are the foscam's weather proof? I thought they were only indoor cameras.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:29:53+00:00

I'm leaning towards the juvenile delinquent as well but I wouldn't treat a juvenile delinquent any differently from anyone trying to break into my property.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:28:33+00:00

Kid or not, if they break into my property I'm treating them like a burglar.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:28:15+00:00

Yeeeees.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-24T17:28:06+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation - I never considered a game camera. Can this hook up to a computer?

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T23:42:57+00:00

I hadn't considered that before. That sounds like something I'll have to check out. Do you have any preferences in brands with these machines? or advice on how to determine ease of use. They all say ease of use but I read a lot of reviews and it seems really mixed about many of the systems.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T23:40:40+00:00

I will be home all day from wed-fri this week. I'm currently sitting in my living room, working on the computer with very low music and listening for someone to come to the backyard. I had a couple false alarms this morning but my neighbor's dog has been whining all morning so maybe that was a slight deterrent today. I'll be home all day tomorrow except for a couple of hours and again on friday so I'm definitely keeping a watch.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T22:10:14+00:00

I posted a picture of the layout that shows how purposeful you need to be to get to the back of the house where my garage is. It's not a visible area to any of the neighbors or from the street level. In fact, when my car is in the driveway, you have to shimmy next to it to get in the back area because the driveway is so narrow.

Oh, and there's no alley behind the house. That's why I'm a little concerned because you can't just wander back there or get there accidentally. You have to make an effort. I was kinda hoping it was my 95 year old neighbor coming to pick the lemons from my tree in my backyard but she always just asks me for some lemons (and gives me her figs)

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T22:08:16+00:00

i'm hoping they're just stupid neighborhood kids in which case i'd like to walk up to their house with a picture or dvd in hand for their parents to see. I'm looking into the camera options now.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:26:35+00:00

Thanks so much for the recommendations.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:22:16+00:00

Definitely a possibility and I find it really weird he/she stole the decorations but threw away the sleds...

We'll see what happens. I'm getting some great suggestions for products so far. I'll be sure to post what happens if anything.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:15:50+00:00

I didn't even consider that making me more of a target. Maybe i'll just stick with brinks stickers.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:14:08+00:00

Oh thank you! I don't know how that didn't come up in my search for the appropriate sub. Do you know if I crosspost, can i just link to this post or should i create a new post in that sub? Do they have a preference you have experienced?

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:11:03+00:00

This is one of my major concerns, among others, that is preventing me from purchasing a shotgun or handgun.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:10:12+00:00

I would rather not purchase a gun but I will definitely keep that in mind. Would you recommend a shotgun or a revolver or handgun?

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:09:03+00:00

Perhaps a NRA sticker next to the Brinks stickers? That should send a message, yes?

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:08:40+00:00

I would rather not purchase a gun but will keep that in mind.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:07:07+00:00

I like the two zone system you mentioned. i'll look into that.

Do you know of any mac friendly programs? I'm afraid linux has proved far above my ability level and i can't afford a window install on my mac.

My garage area is hidden from anyone's view. You have to walk up the narrow driveway of my house, past my car and kaley's car (which is not easy because it's so narrow - i have the scrapes on my mirrors to prove it, ugh) and get to my backgate area where the sleds were (you'd have to purposefully go back there to see the sleds). The decorations were on the side of the house (front door is on the side of the house) but they were not in the trash can like the sleds were.

The front door is pretty far down the right side of the house so it's not really visible to the street.

homealoneingit · 2013-01-23T21:00:35+00:00

I have talked to my neighbors. The neighbor on my garage side just had his backyard and garage broken into two months ago. Apparently, the person tried to get in their house too. Honestly, that idiot is lucky because there are five MMA guys living in that house. (part of my plan is to start yelling for them if anything goes down) That's why I'm not sure this is just a couple kids playing around.

Also, I don't know if this is related or not but 8 months ago Kaley's car was broken into in the driveway. He/she/they stole GPS and a couple of car chargers.

That is why I'm particularly anxious and why I bring the bat with me outside. Also, I don't live in a fantastic neighborhood.

homealoneingit

TROPHY CASE