Fort Pec

CesumPec · #1 01/13/13, 10:48 AM

OK, things have been happening on the farm I don't like. The lock on the front gate was cut while I was away for Christmas, and the gate was left open for at least a week. Many of my no trespassing signs have been removed. A few days ago some equipment I had chained together had the lock pried off but the equipment was still there. I figure someone got half way to stealing and then ran off when my neighbors let their dogs out. Also, several times trespassers and hunters have gone over or around gates and fences to get on the property. I've got enough high dollar (to me) equipment out there now that I need security.

So I'm thinking about building a "fort" about 40 ft square out of telephone poles of which I have an abundance. See the lame drawing attached. The black circles are poles put into the ground several feet to act as posts. The red lines are vertical poles sandwiched between the posts. The red poles would be stacked up about 3 or 4 high. I don't want to put a gate up since my gate locks have been cut. I can just put a heavy telepole down and lift it out of the way with the root rake on the back hoe (represented by blue line).

At 40 ft square, I can get my flat bed trailer, backhoe, chipper, and some smaller odds and ends in there. I know this contraption wouldn't stop a really determined thief, but I have two neighbors who would see and hear someone at night using a truck or what ever to try to move the logs out of the way. My hopes being that it would discourage a lazy thief or slow a determined one down long enough for the cops to be called.

So before I go to all this effort, which I figure will take most of an afternoon, please tell me what I'm doing wrong or if this is a stupid idea I haven't sufficiently thought through. BTW - I can use the backhoe to dig the post holes and put a 12 ft pole 6 ft into the ground in about 15 - 20 minutes. Once it rains, the sand and clay mixture will set up and hold that post like concrete.

Batt · #2 01/13/13, 11:30 AM

Now all you need is a couple of infrared illuminators and some infrared cameras.

Maura · #3 01/13/13, 11:35 AM

An easier option might be to have an alarm on your gate. You can have a silent alarm that goes off in the police station. The other option would be to have a couple of cameras set up so you can catch them on on record.

edcopp · #4 01/13/13, 04:02 PM

Get a 30 round magazine for your gun, and use it. Infra red sights will help.

CesumPec · #5 01/13/13, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maura

An easier option might be to have an alarm on your gate. You can have a silent alarm that goes off in the police station. The other option would be to have a couple of cameras set up so you can catch them on on record.

i appreciate the suggestions, buttwice I've had people cut my barbed wire fence to gain access. So alarming the gate doesn't really help. Having a camera to tell me what the people look like who stole my equipment also doesn't really solve the problem either. I'm trying to prevent theft.

OkieDavid · #6 01/13/13, 07:34 PM

I would say that your "fort" would certainly be considered "hardening the target".

seedspreader · #7 01/13/13, 07:53 PM

Make your chain securing the gate inside of an area (inside the door and wall where it fastens) where only a hand with a key can reach in to pull the lock out. It eliminates bolt cutters from getting to it.

am1too · #8 01/13/13, 08:47 PM

Have your neighbor come and go once a day or so. It needs to look active. Get motion snesor security lights that operate from a solar charger. Get a dog and have the neighbor feed it. Cameras would be nice to record the activity.

The fort is a nice idea. You could also put posts in the ground with ball hitch unless your stuff is pentil hook.

Big Dave · #9 01/13/13, 09:19 PM

Had a similar problem in Texas. Sign read RATTLE SNAKES ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Ya know never had a problem after that and the sound of rattlers.

**Ross** · #10 01/13/13, 09:55 PM

Dig a wide deep ditch with the earth spoil piled on the inside with your equipment inside the earthen walls. Steep enough to limit a truck not so wide things will pass easily. When you want to get out you fire up the backhoe and lay down a telephone pole bridge. Place lots of signs with things like "Smile you're on camera", or "Hidden Cameras" And use your chains and locks too anything to slow them down. Theives should get 20 years in prison IMO!

CesumPec · #11 01/13/13, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edcopp

Get a 30 round magazine for your gun, and use it. Infra red sights will help.

When i bought the place I started firing rounds to let the neighborhood know I was here and armed. But with no home on the place, people know I'm not there at night. Construction should start in a few months. My fort just needs to get me through this year.

CesumPec · #12 01/13/13, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by am1too

Have your neighbor come and go once a day or so. It needs to look active. Get motion snesor security lights that operate from a solar charger. Get a dog and have the neighbor feed it. Cameras would be nice to record the activity.

The fort is a nice idea. You could also put posts in the ground with ball hitch unless your stuff is pentil hook.

My neighbor comes and goes several times a day because he is trying to reduce my wild hog problem.

The chipper is pintle. I don't understand what you are suggesting on the ball hitch.

The solar light / motion detector is a good idea. That would be enough to alert the neighbors

Tana Mc · #13 01/13/13, 10:31 PM

We have neighbors who do not actually live here. They visit on the weekends and longer in the summer. They were having the same basic problems even though all the neighboring farmers and full time residents made it a point to keep an eye on things for them. This is a very rural area. They had the best luck posting signs stating that there were surveillence cameras. They do have a deer cam hidden and have pictures of unsavory characters looking the place over and then reluctantly moving on.....

CesumPec · #14 01/13/13, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Dig a wide deep ditch with the earth spoil piled on the inside with your equipment inside the earthen walls. Steep enough to limit a truck not so wide things will pass easily. When you want to get out you fire up the backhoe and lay down a telephone pole bridge. Place lots of signs with things like "Smile you're on camera", or "Hidden Cameras" And use your chains and locks too anything to slow them down. Theives should get 20 years in prison IMO!

LOL - a castle with a moat? The neighbors are going to think I'm crazy. But you're right, it just needs to be deep enough to bog down a truck and if the bottom log of the walls is covered with sand, that will slow down someone with a chain saw.

FarmerRob · #15 01/13/13, 11:14 PM

I say build your fort, also get the motion sensor lights, a dog or two, and definitely the cameras (hidden and infrared). The cameras won't prevent theft but it might help catch anyone who does steal and locking them up would be more satisfying than letting them get away with it. The signs about hidden cameras and rattlesnakes sound like good ideas also. I like the sign that says: "My dogs eat meat--Any kind of meat." Or the one with the picture of a German Shepherd dog that says, "I can get to the fence in five seconds--Can You?"

Once you get moved in you can start using the shotgun too.

Ozarks Tom · #16 01/14/13, 12:10 PM

I'd put up some motion activated solar spotlights. Thieves for some reason don't like bright lights.

wogglebug · #17 01/14/13, 01:09 PM

If you are going to frustrate potential thieves, bear in mind that they might be prepared to take revenge, even if they can't gain from it. For instance, a wooden fort or stockade might burn. Either that gets them through the wall, or if they can't manage that it might punish you for frustrating them, by also burning what you had set out to protect. Be prepared for a "lash out in anger" response, vandalism rather than theft, and try to prevent those as well.

coolrunnin · #18 01/14/13, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wogglebug

If you are going to frustrate potential thieves, bear in mind that they might be prepared to take revenge, even if they can't gain from it. For instance, a wooden fort or stockade might burn. Either that gets them through the wall, or if they can't manage that it might punish you for frustrating them, by also burning what you had set out to protect. Be prepared for a "lash out in anger" response, vandalism rather than theft, and try to prevent those as well.

Or next trip they just bring a stolen chainsaw, stopping them without someone on the land is nigh on impossible.

Idum · #19 01/14/13, 05:38 PM

Too bad minefields are illegal

Echoesechos · #20 01/14/13, 06:34 PM

The longer a thief has to work at acquiring something they more uncertain they become. Make it hard to access, place dummie cameras up with signs that survelience is active and then maybe a game camera or two so you are really recording them but at different locations so if they destroy your fake ones you still will have them...

We've been having someone take bolt cutters to our gates and fuel pumps and stealing fuel.... Last time they stole a state police camera, extra charges now. But so far the more we put up fake things the less problems we are having.... Probably won't last long but enough until we decide what to do...

I see no problem with your pole setup, just a pain for you to access too... If you have no problem with the extra work to get to your stuff then go for it I would say...