Theft troubles | Homestead Security | Forums

KVR said
it's very difficult to stop a determined thief, personally I just try to minimize my losses the best I can. For example; we leave our cash drawer open every night. The computer, touchscreen monitor and drawer are worth 10 times any money that is in the drawer. I would rather them just take the money then destroy those trying to get into it.

I would remove the cameras until you get to a point where you need to leave anything of value on the property. Then I would point all 4 cameras in such as way that they completely cover the area. Try and camouflage them as good as possible, spray paint any shiny parts with flat earth tones; cable, lock, etc.

How far of a range do they have? How busy is the road you are on? Can you contact the land owner across the street and see if you can put a camera on a tree there pointing at your driveway? 

First of all, thank you for such an excellent reply. With dilemmas such as this, I find it helpful to my thought process to talk things out both for the potential input, and as a sounding board.

I put the cameras in because there were clear signs of activity on the property. I have a large flatbed trailer out there, but mostly I am concerned about protecting my investment in the stream crossing (culvert bridge), and in discouraging as much activity out there as possible for when I am finally living out there. There is that neighbor who used to have free reign as custodian. I bought the land from his relative that lived out of state. He and some of his kin in the area have had a sense of entitlement and ownership of the property. Their continued activities on my property forced my hand. I view it as needing to break them of their false notions of ownership.

Ironically, the camera stolen was the most hidden. It was strapped to an evergreen and had foliage coverage. I have mostly hardwoods so my other cameras are actually visible if you look in the right direction. I masked everything. Part of the prep work I mentioned for the cable. The camera housings are camo from the factory. I wrapped all the cables and all the padlocks with camo duct tape. I left nothing shiny. It was it's location that was likely the tell as it was really the optimal placement.

If I recall correctly, I think the camera detection range is 60 or 70 feet for movement. Unfortunately, the trigger is inconsistent. It catches stuff outside the range and misses stuff well inside. The trouble is, I've been unable to find a camera with a better trigger that could record 720p video with sound. Often the sound is the only information I have to go on because the camera triggered too late. It supposedly has a 1/2 second trigger.

My property is at the cul-de-sac along the final stretch of the road. The whole final stretch is vacant. No legit activity except me and a property across the road where the owner takes his son to shoot guns sometimes. That owner is kin to the former custodian. He has never trespassed, but I don't think camera placement would be an option. There is however a piece of property for sale at the tip of the drive who's owner may permit me to place a camera.

I suspect the camera was stolen by the former custodian. Of the 3 that had been trespassing, I was able to get the prosecutor to go after him. I believe the camera was stolen as retaliation after the warrant was served on him. Unfortunately the only video footage I might have of the thief is on the stolen camera.

PorkChopsMmm said
I put one of my more noticeable trail cameras in one of these cases and never had a problem. I would make sure to securely lag bolt it to something. For example, a think enough tree that they can't easily cut it down.

I've seen those. I didn't/don't think it will help here unfortunately.

I have almost entirely young growth. Only a small handful of my trees are large enough that cutting would be difficult, and none of those are positioned where I need to be able to capture activity.

I like the suggestion though.