> Thieves try to steal my Viper, so now I need some secuirty upgrades <

Manny_C

Ok guys, I posted over at .org, so I won't repost the whole thing, but some thieves somehow opened my garage door (prolly some frequency transmitter) around 2:30 am, and they were scared off about a minute later when the house alarm went off. Cops arrived to find the things I had stacked between my Viper and its exit from my garage, thrown out in the lawn, and the Viper door open.

So, now I am a bit paranoid. Granted, my house alarm did what it was supposed to do and scared the theives away, but somehow these guys targeted my house and knew what I had in the garage, so maybe they come back in the future, more prepared or other unrelated thieves try the same thing.

I live in a gated housing complex with no manned security (just an electronic gate.) The street is DARK as there are almost no street lights. In fact, it is nearly impossible to see my garage doors from the street at night if there is not a full moon. So the first thing I was thinking of doing was adding a flood light on a motion sensor to illuminate that whole are when somebody walks up there.

My German Shepherds usually sleep inside the house, and because the house is so long, they didn't hear anything or bark until the alarms went off. I could put one of them in the Garage, but I don't want to do that.

What I am curious about is what kinds of digital video systems are you guys familiar with that can record video in low light to no light, using 4 to 5 cameras (I want to record multiple points around the house, especially outside and inside the garage and my RV parking area where I store my water craft, race viper, trailers, etc. Having something that doesn't record good video in low light will be pointless.

Also, what can be done about keeping people from easily cracking your garage door opener frequency code? These have to be the weakest protected things I have ever seen. A few years ago, my opener would open the garage of another neighbor a few houses down. Pathetic!

Thanks for any help. I have a few Vipers and other belonging I want to keep safe.

Manny

PS: Since it took the police 15 mins to get out there, Im thinking of getting a fire arm. I've always wanted to get one, but never felt the need nor had the time to go investigate. REality has hit me and I would feel a bit better knowing that I have it here.

Tanked

This only helps after the fact: LoJack.

Order what the police in Europe use...wheel locks. They'd have to cut them off.

nohsreg2000

Manny, that fucking sucks man. I am not a security systems expert so I wont offer my uneducated opinion on such things but I am a small arms expert and I would implore you to seek good certified training before you decide to incorporate a firearm into your home defense package. I do indeed recommend it but you need to not only be proficient with the weapon you choose but need to be involved with a trainer that can help you work through the tactical process when you are taking up arms to defend yourself. Also be damn careful of liability issues since you live in Cali, they may very well have "Duty to retreat" laws(Laws that state unless you are cornered or can justify imminent threat to life and limb you must withdraw from the altercation, in some jurisdictions these laws even extend to your home). You, not being a small guy, might incur a higher level of risk by shooting someone that is threatening your property and not your person.

Best of luck and if you need any help let me know.

_Mark_

Buy a few hunting knives at walmart, pay cash.

If you decide to use a gun later to drop these scum, put one of the hunting knives in their hand. This should avoid the liberal outcry here that will inevitably ensue from protecting yourself and your belongings with deadly force.

Next up, the floodlight and motion sensor is a great idea, complete with outside camera that records it all and is tied to the floodlight. I'd prefer to deter said scum from ever entering my casa rather than corner them in my garage. A "Beware of Dog" sign may help too, just a thought.

Above all, that really sucks, and talk to someone who is an expert in this area cause lord knows I'm not but I know what I would do. Nate had good advice. I'm going to take a gun course here soon anyhow because you have to in this state in order to legally buy a gun or pretty much even look at anything more powerful than a super soaker. Gun control needs to be practiced because in the heat of the moment adrenaline can make things interesting.

Oh yeah, I also arm my car, even parked in my garage.

Manny_C

OK, now I am a bit confused. My garage doors are Genie brand and they claim the following:

"Stop thieves from stealing your access code to get into your home
Select a new access code from 4.3 billion combinations each time you press the remote button
Each remote controller comes with its own continually changing access code, so there are no switches to set after installation
Deny access of unauthorized remotes "

So, if this is true, how does one open the garage? Do they have cheap transmitters now that are fast enough to go through millions and millions of codes very quickly? My Clifford car alarm on the Viper has the same type of rolling access code technology. So I am guessing if they got the gear to get into the garage, they could simply use that on the car alarm too, right?

-Manny

Joel

If I'm parking my Viper in my garage for more than a day, I always take 2 wheels off and leave them locked up in the house. Every time I leave my Viper unattended I put a disclok over the steering wheel which completely covers it and is reckoned to be unbreakable for at least 30 mins. Those are good physical deterrants in addition to anything else you might have. I hope they are enough !

Manny_C

I am actually looking into guns now. Always wanted one. What do you suggest, and why? And what are the main differences between the 50 cal, 45's, 9mm's, etc. ?

_Mark_

If I had to go through that much trouble, I'd just leave it unlocked with the keys in it and just let the insurance company deal with it. Yikes boy!

THOR

I am sorry to read about this break-in Manny! I am glad that the thieve(s) apparently did not make off with anything.

Although I am not an expert, I have a brother-in-law who recently went through a similar situation. So I have had a lot of time to think and listen to different options. In my b-i-l's case, the, would be burglars, were punks who kept coming back to graffiti his garage door and house when all else failed. (Note: This was not a gated community however.) My b-i-l ended up catching them in the act, with a hidden video system. He has their actions on tape which has since been handed over to the police department. :thumb:

Here a few suggestions:

1) (Manny, you probably already have...but) Make sure you report this break-in to your homeowners association. And make sure that all your neighbors are aware of what happened so that they can try to keep an eye open - for everyone's sake.

2) With #1, maybe something can be done collectively (by your homeowners association) to make your community's electronic gate more secure. (i.e., you are on the right track.... by maybe installing video cameras at the main gate(s) that record anyone wanting to enter your neighborhood.)

3) In any case, your idea of a motion detector flood lighting system is certainly a good deterrent. These could be rigged where you get a low-level alarm of sorts, for example at your nightstand. (Particularly awesome if you are a cross between Steven Siegal and John Wayne. ) Also, these motion sensor flood lights are available with a camera built into the base, that could be networked to view in multi-pane monitor mode, as well as record into a VCR. I would suggest using a combination of this type of camera, along with a hidden motion camera (no flood light). All depends on the way your house/property is layed out.

4) Next, if you do not have one of the "newer" garage door openers, that changes the security code after each time the garage door is operated, you might look into those. I have read that these are much more secure than your standard run of the mill, "flip the toggle switch" systems.

5) As for a firearm, I agree 100% with Nate. A fire arm can give you a great feeling of security, but make sure it is not "false" security. Without proper training, your firearm could just elevate the consequences if there is a face-to-face, as your fire arm could be used against you. Most thieves only want one's possessions, and would prefer not to have a run in with the owner. Check you local laws, as they are certainly different in CA than in TX.

6) Lastly, I would suggest that whatever you do (or anyone does) in the way of security, that you be selective about what you post on any website. Including any follow-up posts on this thread. Although we are all curious about what methods you end up choosing to use, I can guarantee that there are thieves who are reading the exotic car &amp; hotrod websites/forums, including this one, with interest in picking their next target(s). In that regard, we are all vulnerable. Some more than others.

Best of Luck Manny!!!! :thumb:

Joel

"6) Lastly, I would suggest that whatever you do (or anyone does) in the way of security, that you be selective about what you post on any website. Including any follow-up posts on this thread. Although we are all curious about what methods you end up choosing to use, I can guarantee that there are thieves who are reading the exotic car &amp; hotrod websites/forums, including this one, with interest in picking their next target(s). In that regard, we are all vulnerable. Some more than others. "

Good point.......We all need to be careful

nohsreg2000

Manny, This is almost as open ended a question as "What is the meaning of life" or "Who makes the best sounding exhaust system" I have my preferences but that certainly doesn't make it gospel.

Before I give you a little guidance on a pistol, Don't rule out a Shotgun. 12 or 20 guage. At home defense ranges their does not exist a more lethal or potent weapon for that role. Their are many manufactures of quality shotguns specifically designed for the tactical role, prices range from 150 bucks to well over 1000. Don't be fooled into thinking the most expensive gun is better, though the firearms that tend to run at the bottom of the price range are usually lacking in quality.

As for Handguns a .50 is out of the question for tactical purposes. At your size a .45 from any of the myriad of quality manufacturers would perfectly suit you and your needs. Price ranges for a quality full to mid sized semi-auto matic pistol will run 5-800 bucks, anything over that with a few exceptions and you are not really buying any more capabilities but paying for brand or competition features you wont need. I know the cost is not a big consideration for you. I use it to illustrate the guidelines you should use to help you identify a firearm that is suitable for your needs.

You need to find the handgun that you are comfortable with. Their is a definite (Edit: ment to say)"Ergenomical" difference from brand to brand. You will gravitate to one or two after you have handled several. Although as with anything a few good ones are out there, gun shop owners are not to be taken at face value with their recommendations.

as far as power goes, it kind of looks like this, these are the standard calibers used for service pistols there is exotic, or semi exotic(has yet to become mainstream) calibers but I would avoid those.

Listed from most powerful to least in semi auto calibers.(service calibers)

10MM (about the most powerful service round, and in all honesty some debate it is to much)
45 ACP
40 s&amp;w
9mm
380 ACP(about the smallest service round some would argue it's to small)

As far as opinions go I like Glocks, Baby Eagles, Tanfoglio and 1911 double stacks and the new Springfield armory XP series looks nice. Some people swear by SIG, I don't like them. not because they aren't great, they are, They just don't feel good in my hand.

If it is just for home defense and you don't plan on carrying it don't buy a compact, get a full size handgun.

CAP

Let me understand. Shoot thief. Put knife in his dead hand. Record on video tape.

Now THERE'S a plan.

_Mark_

The video is for outside, what goes on inside is my word against their's.

CAP

Yeah, I figured that. It's just that when I read your post my mind put together a little scene like in some "Dude, where's your car?" kind of movie.

Manny_C

Yeah, California has some wacked laws when it comes to guns. Way too many lawsuits where criminals end up suing the home owner for shooting them, and WINNING! Then they also have to deal with the legal ramifications and jail time.

This is probably why Mark (who is from Cali) mentioned the knife.

As mentioned above, I do have a Genie garage door system that's 5 years old. I believe all Genie systems made after 1996 have intellicode, so the same code doesn't work more than once. I would be curious to know what kind of portable equipment one can buy these days that will bust a Genie system with 4.3 billion codes, in a quick and efficent manner.

I have locks on my garage door too which you would need to manually unlock and relock each time (this is too much of a pain for me), but mine dont work now that I had my door panels raised for my lift.

Nathan, are there specific bullet types you prefer for personal defense? Also, how often do you clean your guns when they are not in use? I know this is all information I will learn when I take the various course(s) -- just curious right now.

-M

Minivan Man

Regarding types of bullets, to avoid risk of overpenetration, some choose Glaser Safety Slugs, or copies thereof. These are bullets with shot in the middle with a pre-separated copper jacket. When they hit, they penetrate then separate, producing very effective wounds in flesh and--more importanly--virtually no chance that your bullet will overpenetrate your wall and hit a neighbor's house.

If you follow Nate's advice and get a shotgun, you will inherently reduce the risk of overpenetration.