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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Break ins/cabin security
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Julie2Oregon
Member
# Posted: 25 Apr 2016 22:41
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KinAlberta
They have simpler ones. This is the one I like, lol.

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 25 Apr 2016 22:42
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I like it too. But it's not one for our place.

I wouldn't mind the type of house or cabin it would look great on.

JDPugh
Member
# Posted: 26 Apr 2016 13:15
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Well.....after talking with the County Sheriff's office they declined to use my farm for bait, but suggested I get a trail camera because they had had pretty good success using them. Also said that they had recently arrested a man for breaking and entering. He lives or at least did live on the other end of the road. This guy has multiple arrests including stabbing someone but always manages to get released.

Julie2Oregon
Member
# Posted: 26 Apr 2016 16:16
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That's scary. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I don't know how one would get away with stabbing someone and not do time. He must either intimidate his victims into not following through on charges or he has friends in the "right places." Stay safe!

annarosy
Member
# Posted: 27 Apr 2016 00:11
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Thanks TmTech,
those rates are much better... but did you see thd cam prices. I guess i am too cheap. Just bought another cheap game cam and set it up. Hope thats enough.

JDPugh
Member
# Posted: 27 Apr 2016 00:23
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Quoting: Julie2Oregon
I don't know how one would get away with stabbing someone and not do time. He must either intimidate his victims into not following through on charges or he has friends in the "right places." Stay safe!


From what I am told the stabbing was in a fight and was plea bargained down, he got time served plus probation. However, now he was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, possessing stolen property and larceny after breaking and entering (not sure what that one means) and probation violation so maybe....just maybe...he will go away for a while.

The rural areas around here seem to be plagued with this problem. Reading this thread I guess we are not alone either. I guess its drugs as suggested earlier...sad, very sad.

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 10 May 2016 16:15 - Edited by: SE Ohio
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For the off-grid Straight Talk security system 5dc volt supply, here's what I hooked up using the DC-DC 12volt to 5 volt converter (I have 12 volts at my cabin; see Buckybuck's eBay link for DC converter). I over-complicated assembly since I don't like any lights/displays on when I try and sleep (one room cabin). The converter has a button to toggle input or output voltage, but either way the display is always on, so I hid it behind a switch-plate. I've got a volt meter cut into the switch plate with a momentary contact switch so I can check battery voltage. One could put converter display behind a door or flap to cover it up to accomplish same thing, but I had the volt meter and it was cheap... Blank switch plate and blue whatchamacallit are found at most hardware stores. Less than $10 total in this overdesigned power supply.

Could have accomplished 5 volt-from-12-volt power supply by connecting a series of diodes, as each drops a little voltage.

Might add a fuse to this setup, adding cost...

This'll get installed with alarm system next trip!
Volt meter with momentary switch
Volt meter with momentary switch
DC converter with temporary battery
DC converter with temporary battery
DC converter display faces wall
DC converter display faces wall


hattie
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2016 18:38
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We have a placer camp out in the bush. It has been there for years now. We went in this morning to discover someone stole our water pump and pipes that bring water up the hill to our camp. They also stole the plug at the bottom of the water tower. The pump was all chained down with a padlock but they just cut the lock and off they went.

Thing is I can't figure out how they got in there. They didn't come down the main road because it is chained and you can't get around the chained part. They may have crossed the river last fall after we closed up the camp and when the water levels were low. The pump weighed a ton and the pipes were very large so it was probably at least a two person job.

Very few know where our camp is, but we do know of one person who is familiar with it. I'm guessing it was probably him, but no proof of course. It sure is upsetting when something like that happens. It was probably over $400 worth of equipment gone. That's a lot of money to us. We are hoping to sell the camp and that was going to be one of the items that would have gone with it. Not now.

We debated putting up our game camera to try to catch them if they try again, but they'd probably steal the camera. *sigh*

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 17:12
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Hattie, sorry for your losses. Everyone hates a thief! They'll be back to see if you've purchased them another pump. If you do go the game camera route, put it up high and disguise it as best you can (glue on bark bits, etc.) and hope...

bldginsp
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 17:39
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Maybe this is common knowledge, but they make security cameras connected to the web that will send you photos by email as soon as they are taken. And some are solar based. Expensive, but it tells you when they are there.

Julie2Oregon
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 21:01
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hattie
That's awful! I'm so sorry. It does sound like someone with knowledge of your property. That's scary! Doesn't sound like he was alone, either. Have you reported it to the authorities?

silverwaterlady
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 22:33
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That's awful Hattie.
Do you think they could have done this in the winter on snow machines,with a skid attached?

hattie
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 22:43
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Thanks everyone. We won't be replacing it because we are planning on selling our claim. It was something we hoped would help increase the price we could get though.

We could get the camera up high. I never thought about gluing bark, etc. to it. That is a good idea. I'll suggest it to Bob.

I've heard of the cameras that send you notifications but unfortunately, we can't afford anything like that.

We didn't report it to the authorities as there isn't anything they can do about it. We don't even know when it happened. Sometime since last fall. That's a long time frame. But I am sure it had to be more than one person.

We never thought about them coming on snowmobiles in the winter. That is quite possible.

Bob spoke to a neighbour and he had some water pipe stolen from his claim as well. His claim is really hard to access. He couldn't believe it when it disappeared. He said he has no idea how they got it out of his place. He has to climb down an embankment on ropes to get to his claim. He always figured anything he left there was safe because no one would get the equipment out.

Some people are just dishonest I guess. As Bob said, we've been lucky to have gone this long without anything missing. I just hope they don't come back.

neb
Member
# Posted: 15 May 2016 23:32
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That is to bad and why people do this kind of thing is beyond me. Sorry to hear that.

I have been very lucky so far but I can see it happening at my place someday. My place is very hard to get to and is up in a canyon with one way in and one way out and it has to be on foot. I can't believe people would take a chance to steel when cameras so widely used these days.

brooksm29
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 00:48
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I hate the fact that I had the stuff stolen, I had to replace all my things, I took a hit($) with the insurance, My cabin was left open to the elements because of the broken window....but the thing I hate the most now...I have to take my tools etc home and back every dang time. I want to go work up at the property and now I spend 1 hour each time loading and unloading. How frustrating!!!

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 08:28
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Hattie,
There is a small chance that a theft report might help. Better chance than a lottery ticket!

Also, the Straighttalk system earlier in this thread is fairly inexpensive. If it were put in a weatherproof container onsite and someone opened said container, you'd get an automated phone warning. It'll take the bad guys a while to get off your property, and good guys should have time to catch them.

Brooksm29,
My thieves have passed at the "select" tools I have onsite. Mis-matched hand tools in a rusty toolbox, cordless drills without batteries (I pack batteries in with a full charge) handsaws, etc. Other power tools I take as needed. Annoying, yes, but I have to tote less.

I do have a non-running weed wacker that I plan to leave out, possibly rigged similar to above... Some day I'll catch a thief.

Jebediah
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 08:49
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Yup file a report. My vehicle was broken into and some hunting gear and tools were taken, my insurance covered the stolen items and about 6 months later the police phoned me and said they recovered my items and I was to come and pick them up.

hattie
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 12:34
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Thanks for the tips reporting the theft. I just figured because they would probably never be caught there wouldn't be a point. I didn't think about the possibility of the items being found by police if they got caught in another crime. We're going into town tomorrow, so I think we'll make a stop at the police station to let them know.

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 13:42
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I should also mention that I have a battery-powered scribing tool that I use to mark up much of my off-grid stuff while I'm there. I like to label it as "STOLEN FROM (fill in name and location)" so it'll make for a bit of work for someone trying to sell it (sure, they can grind it off but many thieves are lazy). If I'm "caught" with my own stuff I can produce i.d. But a thief at a traffic stop might have a different experience.

I also mark inside my game cameras where my note will show when the batteries are changed.

brooksm29
Member
# Posted: 16 May 2016 21:26
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I definately think the "crappy" tools idea is a go for me. I also like d the idea of the guy leaving a broken generator etc there. I at least would get some satisfaction when they take my stuff. I saw a road construction crane on the way to work, with the generator hanging from it. I thought to myself....hmmmm....maybe I can do something like that too...lol.

hattie
Member
# Posted: 17 May 2016 21:27
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We reported the items that were stolen to the local police and they took a detailed report of it. They even called later to confirm a couple of things. That doesn't mean we'll ever see any of it again, but our chances are better than zero had we not reported it. Thanks for this great suggestion!!!! We never would have thought to do that!

cabinbiscuits
Member
# Posted: 22 May 2016 14:11
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Straight Talk Alert System Update---

Well the Alert System I bought bricked up after only two months, but thank goodness I had not cut the wall wart off of the cord yet so I should be able to return it to Walmart. They have a one year warranty. I hadn't taken mine to camp yet and had been using it for a security system at home when I happened to notice that I stopped getting text and phone notifications of typical accidental alarms and the disarmings.

Checked and sure enough it was not communicating. Moved it to a totally different locale to make sure it wasn't a cell coverage issue and still no go. Removed my text and call out numbers and tried reprogramming, no good. Tried multiple factory resets, still no good. Complete power down to include removing the backup battery, still no good. Twenty minutes on the computer chatting with Tech Support only to be told the don't have the tools to troubleshoot these units on the chat board and I needed to call in. Multiple calls to Straight Talk Tech Support only to wind through the voice menu system and end up hearing every time that no one was available to help me right now, call back later.

Ultimately the thing bricked up and won't do anything at all now.

I'm returning this one to Walmart and ordering a replacement today. Hope the next one lasts longer, especially since they won't want to take it back after the wall wart it cut off.

Hope the rest of you are having better luck with your units.

C

neb
Member
# Posted: 22 May 2016 23:00
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All you need to do is have a few signs that say "Smile your on camera".

pclark
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 06:42
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People always tend to forget second storey windows or sheds so always make sure that you lock everything before you head out. Even you leave some stuffs behind it is good if you mark them with a ballpoint pen or an electric engraver. This helps you to mark your property. Invest in some diys to make sure that your doors and windows are safe. Here are some tips from calgary that talks about home security and helps to keep your cabin safe and secure.

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 08:14
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Quoting: neb
All you need to do is have a few signs that say "Smile your on camera".


If a thief can read the sign he knows to come back wearing hat, sunglasses, hoodie etc. They might even see if they can find a camera to steal (I lost one that was aimed at my cabin door from up high) When I see these "you're on camera" signs, I suspect someone is bluffing, anyway. I do have cameras, but don't advertise it.

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 11:36 - Edited by: KinAlberta
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^very good points. I'd advertise an alarm system - whether or not you have one - but not a camera system.

Put a dog dish on the floor within view from a back door or where someone might look in.


Regarding the etching of items, I'm not sure if this has been brought up on this thread but there used to be door stickers available too, saying: 'all possessions are marked for identification'. (They were sold with markers, etchers, etc.) Anyone aware of such products today? Do thieves care?

Also, it sounds like ID theft iis really taking over from property theft. Not sure what they'd get from a cabin but a hidden file folder, etc might be worthwhile.


I'm back:

I'd never thought of this. A free etcher / marker option plus free stickers:

http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/safety-and-crime-prevention/Operation-Identification.as p


My brother used to grab a can of this very usual spray paint colour he'd been given and spray the handles, etc of some of our tools. A nicer option would be to get your name cut into a template and spray your name on tool handles, the bottoms of electronics, etc. (Would anyone suggest a driver's licence number be used in this day if iD theft?)

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 11:51
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Quoting: brooksm29
I definately think the "crappy" tools idea is a go for me. I also like d the idea of the guy leaving a broken generator etc there. I at least would get some satisfaction when they take my stuff. I saw a road construction crane on the way to work, with the generator hanging from it. I thought to myself....hmmmm....maybe I can do something like that too...lol.


I imagine you don't want to make it obvious that you've duped them or they'll come back and torch your place out of spite.

I've also heard of cases where thieves return to steal the new (insurance replacement) items.

Smawgunner
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 19:44
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Anyone have signs on there door like " nothing in this cabin worth going to jail over" or something to make them think or ponder?

brooksm29
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2016 21:05
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KinAlberta
They most definitely go back for the new replacement stuff...this happened to my dad twice and this was not a rural area. This is why I am now carting all my s^&* back and forth every weekend (very frustrating). I cannot afford to lose another boat load of cash to the ins company scam lol. I think they were almost as irritating as the dang criminals.
I have given thought that the criminals may get a little pissy if I set them up with a junk generator or weed wacker...I actually thought they may come back and break/burn my building...

BUT...

I know that I cannot be there 24/7 to guard my stuff and I cannot afford to keep paying/buying to support their habit. So...they will do what they want no matter what. I on the other hand can set up some deterants/retaliation and at least get a little bit of satisfaction lol.

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 31 May 2016 11:34 - Edited by: SE Ohio
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Quoting: cabinbiscuits
Hope the rest of you are having better luck with your units.


My unit is working fine- Let it "burn in" at home for weeks and have installed at cabin. Still waiting for my first "bite". Have used the alarm silent mode so burglar won't know alarm has tripped- This should buy a little more time for sheriff to arrive.

Might even leave out some burglar bait, such as non-working power tool, cheap bike... Anything to get them detected and slow their departure.

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