topic Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera. in Among Friends

Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:04:27 GMT

Monday evening at exactly midnight we were awoken by a loud banging noise. It scared us & we had no idea what it was. Got up & looked around the house. Couldn't find anything wrong so we went back to bed. About 10 minutes later someone started banging on the door near our bedroom window. It sounded like they were trying to bust the door down and they were yelling. I was terrified! I debated calling 911 but didn't. We looked out the windows but couldn't see anyone. After almost an hour we finally went back to bed. A little after 1:00am they started ringing the doorbell! At this point I had had enough & called 911. As I was on the phone we could see 3 people walking down the road in front of the house. It was a full moon so you could see outdoors. One had a flashlight. They stood by the mailbox for a minute or two & went up the road. By the time the police arrived they were gone. The police went up & down the road several times shining a spotlight in between the houses. No luck.

For the past year or so we have had several incidents of someone ringing the doorbell & running. It's always been on Saturday nights & usually between 9 & 10pm. After the first incident we didn't even bother getting up to answer the door. There is a church near our home that has a youth night on Saturdays between 9-11. I always figured it was kids sneaking out of there & roaming the neighborhood. I debated getting security cameras but figured they would tire of it. Since Monday's episode I really want to do something. It seems they're getting more brazen & I have to worry what is next! Looking for recommendations on motion activated cameras that might help me get a photo of the culprits. Want something easy to install, preferably without drilling into the house. Also something that won't flash. If it's outdoors I'm afraid they'll steal it if they see it take a picture.

As further info it's possible they shattered my outdoor patio table & a planter. I noticed the glass table shattered after we had been out of town for the weekend. I read online that there have been incidents of these tables shattering on their own. Now I have my doubts. And a cheap ceramic planter that was sitting on the grass near my back steps was broken. I'm wondering if they took a baseball bat to them. Couldn't ever prove it but this is another reason to set up a camera or two!

Would appreciate any suggestions! TIA....

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

ECBG — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:10:53 GMT

I'd put up motion senser lights on the telephone pole if you have one and all around. Ask for a deputy to come over and tell you what is most effective.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

RinaRina — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:14:58 GMT

NEST SECURITY Camera

When I'm walking my dog I see them in people's windows.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:15:15 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I'd put up motion senser lights on the telephone pole if you have one and all around. Ask for a deputy to come over and tell you what is most effective.

Thanks for the response. We have one small tree near our house but no utility poles-everything is underground.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:17:42 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
NEST SECURITY Camera
When I'm walking my dog I see them in people's windows.

Those look interesting. Googling it right now- thanks!

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

jannabelle1 — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:21:47 GMT

I can only imagine how scary that must have been for you. A few comments since you asked for suggestions. A trail camera would work, but you would have to mount it high enough on your home (or in a tree) so that it would be less likely they would take it or destroy it. You also have to test the camera to make sure that it is going to get pictures of your front or back door. You might just call a home security company and have them come out to your home, make recommendations and give you some estimates. Based on what you experienced, I think I'd want the "experts" to set up security cameras based on their expertise. Hopefully you'll get some more suggestions here. Good luck to you.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Kachina624 — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:47:11 GMT

I'm a big fan of the TV program North Woods Law about the game wardens in Maine. These cameras seem to be widely used by hunters to check on game activity and by the wardens to check on hunters and to bust tresspassers. You might check on cameras with a big sporting goods store like Cabella's.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Desertdi — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 23:53:45 GMT

Same thing had been happening to me.........so I put up a high wrought iron fence with a key-locking gate. Costly...but effective. I sleep 100% better.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

LUVNLIFE — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 00:01:38 GMT

So sorry. How annoying. Maybe talk with the church about your concerns and see if they can monitor the kids closer. I'm sure they wouldn't want the church to be identified in any police reports regarding vandalism or theft from their youth group. This would definitely be a negligence on their part.

I think a few security cameras and sensor lights are a good idea. Good luck!

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

RedTop — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 01:04:02 GMT

If I were going to spend money on anything, I would go with a security system with cameras covering the front and back of the house. The system can be as basic, or as complex as you want. Trail cams are great for catching the different types of wildlife wandering across your property, but I would not depend on one to get pictures of people, when the images may need to be used as evidence.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

IndiaRose — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 01:20:45 GMT

Why wouldn't you go to the police station and explain to them why you are seeking their advice, then speak to the professional home security companies. This is a new age and new world. Be as safe as you possibly can be.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 01:46:49 GMT

@IndiaRose wrote:
Why wouldn't you go to the police station and explain to them why you are seeking their advice, then speak to the professional home security companies. This is a new age and new world. Be as safe as you possibly can be.

I was hoping to find an easy solution that doesn't involve monthly security fees. I think the professional services are expensive & probably not necessary at this point. We built our house over 20 years ago & until a few days ago I've always felt safe here. I guess I question whether I'm overreacting. Maybe I shouldn't have called 911 at all? But I was really scared- I didn't know what they were planning to do next. I hate to bother the police. I was hoping to try to get a picture of the culprits & take it from there. I can't prove they did any damage. Will the police even do anything if I find out who's been doing it? What, if anything, would they charge them with? Maybe even trying to get a picture is pointless? I guess I have no real experience with anything like this....

I value the opinions of everyone here. They always seem to have good advice.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Kachina624 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 02:48:23 GMT

When in doubt I'd always vote for calling the police. They deal with so many stupid people they'd think nothing of a call like yours. That's what they're there for. Better to be safe than sorry. Maybe the hooligans were watching and now know you're seriously peeved about them so will think twice about doing it again.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Reba055 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:08:09 GMT

We live in a great neighborhood, but every once in awhile, (probably when parents aren't home and a certain bunch gets together) we have the issue of them ringing the doorbell and running. It is so annoying! Our dog flips out and it really irritates me because of my back problems. They have never done anything like you mentioned, and it's never that late at night.

What you described sounds really scary. You shouldn't feel bad at all for calling 911. That sounds way over the line for a young teenage prank. You never know their intentions.

I thought about getting a camera just to get to the bottom of it by finding out who it was. But one night I managed to hide outside on the back porch and was fast enough to catch one of them running away by cutting across our neighbors yard. I think they scatter in different directions. I confronted him and of course he played all innocent and said it wasn't him. He was respectful but I said " I know it was you, and you can tell all your buddies if they keep doing it, it's not gonna be pretty". He said "I swear it wasn't me" and I said "you heard what I said", and he said "yes ma'am".

It hasn't happened again since then, lol. I know they are not bad kids.

You could also install the really bright motion lights. If you think they are being mischievous, that would probably be ok, and work. It sounds like more than that to me. I would want a camera as well.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Desertdi — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:18:24 GMT

You need to be very careful.....and call 911 if you sense any danger. About a month ago, three young men (dressed very conservatively, and carrying "a book") came down my street. When I didn't let them in, they began yelling at me, and one said, "Let's break the gate down." A second one said, "Not a good idea." These men were obviously disguising themselves as missionaries, and probably casing the subdivision. Yes, we do get missionaries, but, without fail, they are always courteous and polite.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Kachina624 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 04:20:13 GMT

@Desertdi That's seriously scary Di. Did you call the police? I had a nice-looking college age girl come to my door saying she represented my phone/Internet company and she and her partner needed to come in and check my equipment. I asked for an ID and she flashed something from another company. I told her she could not come in my house so she eventually left. I called the police immediately but they couldn't find her.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Desertdi — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 04:37:54 GMT

@Kachina624 I was pretty shaken up, because the men were really yelling at me and acting belligerently. I came in the house and LOCKED the doors and windows up. Had to sit down and calm myself.......and then I looked outside again to see if they were still hanging around. They were nowhere in sight, and I actually couldn't describe them except they were "clean cut" and wearing long sleeve white shirts, narrow black ties, black pants.....and each carrying "a book". (TIES in PHX????) I didn't call the police......but later on, I thought more about it, and realized I should have called 911 immediately. Whew.....I still get the chills thinking about it. di

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Deb1010yetagain — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 07:05:29 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I'd put up motion senser lights on the telephone pole if you have one and all around. Ask for a deputy to come over and tell you what is most effective.

Installing motion sensitive lights is the BEST idea. As someone approaches your door or your back bedroom they'll be flooded with a bright light and think better of what they're about to do.

I feel terrible for you as it must be terrifying to have a banging on the door and the doorbell repeatedly rung at such an hour of night. What's wrong with people???

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 10:05:09 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
When in doubt I'd always vote for calling the police. They deal with so many stupid people they'd think nothing of a call like yours. That's what they're there for. Better to be safe than sorry. Maybe the hooligans were watching and now know you're seriously peeved about them so will think twice about doing it again.

I hope you're right about them seeing the police & thinking twice before doing it again. I just wished I'd called after the banging on the door & yelling. The police probably would have arrived just as they were ringing the doorbell.

Re: Need advice on outdoor security or trail camera.

Tribesters — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 10:12:14 GMT

@Reba055 wrote:
We live in a great neighborhood, but every once in awhile, (probably when parents aren't home and a certain bunch gets together) we have the issue of them ringing the doorbell and running. It is so annoying! Our dog flips out and it really irritates me because of my back problems. They have never done anything like you mentioned, and it's never that late at night.

What you described sounds really scary. You shouldn't feel bad at all for calling 911. That sounds way over the line for a young teenage prank. You never know their intentions.

I thought about getting a camera just to get to the bottom of it by finding out who it was. But one night I managed to hide outside on the back porch and was fast enough to catch one of them running away by cutting across our neighbors yard. I think they scatter in different directions. I confronted him and of course he played all innocent and said it wasn't him. He was respectful but I said " I know it was you, and you can tell all your buddies if they keep doing it, it's not gonna be pretty". He said "I swear it wasn't me" and I said "you heard what I said", and he said "yes ma'am".

It hasn't happened again since then, lol. I know they are not bad kids.

You could also install the really bright motion lights. If you think they are being mischievous, that would probably be ok, and work. It sounds like more than that to me. I would want a camera as well.

You are way braver than me- hiding outside? I'm hiding inside... I think it would be different if I had any idea who was doing it. We don't really have any kids in our subdivision anymore. They're all grown & off to college or grade school kids. And the three we saw were big-definitely teens. I also wonder why were they waiting by the mailbox? Were there a couple more waiting by the door to see if anyone would come out to investigate? What would have happened then?

Why are they targeting my house? We don't bother anyone. I haven't spoken to all my neighbors but a few of them & no one else has had a problem. It's frustrating...