Security System For Shop - help me design

[InventIt]

Well, this past weekend marked the second time in 2 years we had a theft at the shop. I'm really getting irritated about this. They took about $2000 worth of tools and a dirt bike I had in the garage. Lucky for me they didn't haul off with the cnc!

Of course the police have little to offer. They took a few prints but basically told me not to expect them to recover anything (or find out who did it).

So, I think it's time I made a "mousetrap" and catch the thieves in the act. I looked into video surveillance but the systems are cost prohibitive. Instead, I thought maybe I could put together an old computer and a few cameras around the area on motion detectors. If someone set the motion detector off it would trigger the computer to record the image from the camera. Maybe even have some lighting set to trigger when the camera starts recording.

I know there are some brilliant minds on this forum. Together we could easily outsmart these crooks.

Any ideas how to setup a good security system would be appreciated.

Thanks, Rob

[sbrpollock]

Sorry to hear about that Rob, I know that stuff is frustrating. I grew up in Gary IN but now live out in a small country town (This kind of thing is starting to happen out here now). I worked with a guy recently who still lives in Gary, and I once asked him "How is it you keep from getting robbed and such?". He replied "After the third time I shot someone trying to get in my garage, they started leaving me alone". I'm not sure I recomend shooting three people as a viable solution, but it is kinda fun to fantasize.

I hate to say it, but this might not be the best place for technology either. If you set up cameras they'll just learn to shut the power off to the shop, or get around it some other way. In the end we just end up educating the thieves and creating higher tech criminals. Plus, if you set up cammeras, and IF you get pictures of them in the act, it does NOT guarantee that you will get your stuff back IF and when the cops track them down after the next time they do it. All the cameras do is increase the odds that they will be caught and go to jail AFTER the fact. Don't ask how I know this!

Most of the guys who have shops around where I am now use the "Big Black Dog" solution. Shop dogs. I'm not a Rottwieler or Dobberman kind of guy. A couple of big black Labs will do. They're great with the family and don't eat the neighborhood children. The important thing is that they be RAISE FROM PUPPIES OUT IN THE SHOP. The shop is where thier food bowls are, and the shop is where they sleep. When they mature, you can give them a "doggy door" to get in and out if you want. This has some added benifits too. They'll keep the animals out of the shop, and they'll protect you while you're working late with the door opened and concentrating on what your doing more than who may be walking up the driveway. But, the shop HAS to be thier home for it to work.

You cant beat having some companions out there either.

And best of all, it no longer looks like I'm talking to myself!

[abasir]

Here's something I learnt -- the 4D principle in security; Deter, Delay, Deny & Detect.
I suggest simple deter approach... Dummy CCTV casing with motion-trigger flood lights (possibly coupled to rottwieler barking sound ). If the thief still wants to do it, there really not much you can do to prevent it If you still wants to capture the images, there are some camera with built-in image capture and storage but once the thief knows it's there, he/she'll just rip it apart and adds to your loses!

Taking insurance would probably be the easiest wasy out

[CNCadmin]

What was their point of entry? Can you add bars to the windows a bigger lock? Can you plant cactus around the perimeter,or barb wire a fence? Do you have a alarm system now?

[jphagen]

X-10 used to sell a 3 camera system with motion detectors etc. RF feed to vcr module
about 180$. I use one to toggle vcr and TV when they enter the yard..
I have about 2 acres so it works very well.
Except the time they stole the pasture gate?? Have no idea why..

[sendkeys]

I think your best would be a Set of big dogs .

Sharpies make really good guard dogs. If you want to know about them give me a pm

[turmite]

Originally Posted by sendkeys I think your best would be a Set of big dogs . Sharpies make really good guard dogs. If you want to know about them give me a pm

No no no noooo..Huh uh, no way......now you got to tell all of us about Sharpies! What is a Sharpie?

Mike

[svenakela]

My friend has an alarm and security company and he sells a system that fills the room with really really thick white smoke (but harmless though). The liquide is blown out with a powerful blower and reacts with the moist in the air and I can guarantee you, there is no bloody way to see more than 4 inches!
A pretty large workshop would take a few seconds to "whiten" and if the burglers have x-ray/radar googles they would find the way out - but else...

It's the absolutely funniest alarm add-on, but it works as a charm! Add a sirene to it and anyone would panic.

Cheers,
Sven

[mvaughn]

Originally Posted by turmite No no no noooo..Huh uh, no way......now you got to tell all of us about Sharpies! What is a Sharpie? Mike

Is it possible he meant Shar-pei ?

[InventIt]

Patrick, I know what you mean. My shop is in a small town on an 80 acre farm. You would not think these problems would persist here. My family has been here for generations, we never had these problems until recently. Believe me, if I had the opportunity to shoot at them I WOULD!

Sven, now that is funny! I can picture that.

I like the big dog idea, but there's just no way I could do that here.

[pminmo]

If you just want to capture video, a used laptop that has a USB port, a simple PC camera, and some survalence software. for example: http://www.homewatcher.com/
is algorithm based and stores images when there is a change from the previous image.
http://bobday.vze.com./ is a freebee.

Phil

[turmite]

Originally Posted by mvaughn Is it possible he meant Shar-pei ?

I hadn't thought of that. Hey sendkeys just in case you might have gotton the wrong idea, I really was interested. I was walking on a sidewalk in a town not far from my home on my way to an electric motor shop. BAM! something hits a big plate glass window I am next to and I almost had a heart attack. It was a dog that looked like it was 40" at the front sholders, tan in color and had a head that was huge. It was much more massive than a Great Dane. Anyway I went in the shop and the young lady behind the desk had to go into the next room to make the dog be quite. She said it was some kind of guard dog from Brazil. It is used to capture run-a-way prisoners. I though maybe that was the dog he was referring to.
Mike