security~ keeping strangers away

Three weeks ago today, I went out my drive. On my property by permission was a 36 year old stout built tenant operating a piece of machinery. Standing observing him was a person of small size resembling a teenager. I paid little attention the the small person as I was more absorbed in the task. When I returned from town I looked toward the house where the tenant lived. All seem OK with the exception that I knew he was going fishing but a vehicle similar to his was in the drive. This vehicle was actually belonging to his friend that was to go fishing with him. Within minutes, I was made aware that the tenant had been killed! He was killed in full daylight by the small person for less than $200 that was stolen. The tenant had no reason to distrust the killer as he knew him and had employed the killer for manual labor. The killer has been apprehended. It took a week to catch him as the authorities followed the killers attempts to cash some stolen checks. This tragedy had made me consider what I could do to have better security. I am at a loss as to what one could do in such a situation as described my me in the above. I have a plan for a home invasion or a stranger in the night at the door. Some things seem impossible to cope with.

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Agmantoo
If they can do it,
you know you can!

Thats really scary Agmantoo. I wish I had some helpful advice~ but I don't. Maybe try some of the tips I've been getting here in this thread. I'm working through a lot of ideas. And I think if the girl comes back tonight I'll try to keep her on the porch. I don't know why she came by to visit strangers last night......but it makes me nervous.

I'm busy tommorrow~ but my sister lives with us and she will be home. On Sunday after church I'm going to bake some cookies and bring them around to some of the nieghbors we've not met yet. We've met a few~ one we offered to give our hay to and he's gonna come out and mow it tomorrow (wish I could stay home so I could offer him some tea and get to know him and his family better but hubby already made plans for tomorrow).

On Monday I'm going to replace as many of my exterior lights as I can afford to with motion activated lights. The weather is supposed to be nice so it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm going to find a gun safety class~ put up some no trespassing and beware of dog signs and maybe find out where the local pound is to see if I can find a large breed dog thats cat friendly and would like to live here with us. My Xotchtyl (pronounced So-Chee) is a serious barker~ and looks pretty intimidating (mutt~ we think German shepard/border collie).....but she is also a house pet and wouldn't know what to do with herself if I tried to make her sleep outside.

Maybe I was just lucky but where i grew up every one knows every one else and knows the rules when calling on someone. Still today I know that at least half of the homes never get locked if they even have a working lock on their doors. Like others have said every home has some sort of gun and the people know how to use them. You just do not mess with people like that lol.

Where I am from if you go to someones home and they do not know your coming you let them know your there before knocking on the door. By that I mean like blowing the horn when you pull up so they have time to get ready for you.

My mom did not have a working lock on her door until a few years ago. My grand parents have went away for weeks at a time and never locked a thing and nothing was ever messed with. You count on your neighbors and all to look out for things as you would do the same for them.

Where I am from everyone still blows their horns when they pass by a home just to say hi lol. Be standing out side and chances are they will stop and have a chat. You can always tell when someone is new to the area as they go by without even a wave or anything.

I agree with most that have already posted. Get an outside dog and a shotgun. Personally, I would also get a CCH so you can have a gun with you without anyone else knowing.

I have a little different opinion on the lights. I would rather not have any motion activated lights but rather infared cameras or motion sensors. They make a fairly inexpensive driveway alarm. I want to know someone is out there without them knowing I know. It leaves a lasting impression when someone thinks they are sneaking up on you and all the sudden a shotgun racks in the darkness and you say something like "You aren't supposed to be on this property."

Here is another tip. If you are alone and feel threatened here is a situation I have used. When you come to the door or you walk up to someone outside let them know that there is someone (husband, wife, son, etc.) that has has them sighted with a rifle and don't even think about doing anything stupid.

Get a rottweiler from working bloodlines and raise it from puppyhood and you won't have any people trepassing with him around. Nowdays rottweilers are starting to come with tails. Europe now no longer docks tails so the rottweiler actually looks like a natural dog with a tail!

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Ted H

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
-Davy Crockett

My wife and I have a place in the country. You will soon become acquainted with the local folks. As you meet more people, your fears should subside. We did have a young man come to our cabin late one March evening with lots of rain coming down...I answered the door but had a .380 in my pocket. We invited him in. He and his family have proven to be our most outstanding neighbors. We had one guy who we met, who (last winter) was convicted of breaking and entering 31 cabins and vacation homes in our county. When he was caught, he had a firearm on him (he was already a convicted felon). I think he spared our property because I met him one day and made a point of introducing myself to him. I'd say be on friendly terms with all you meet, but remain cautious. Getting one or more big dogs is a good suggestion. They have systems you can place at your driveway to alert you when someone is coming up to the house. A shotgun / handgun IF YOU LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY USE IT are good advice, but bad advice if you don't know what you're doing with them. My wife asked me to install two security lights around our cabin because it makes her feel more secure. She and my kids know that no one can be invited in unless I'm there. good luck.

If I might add. Automatic lights aren't always good, as it also gives away my presents.
I totally agree about getting a dog. But I think that 3 dogs to be almost unpenitrable. 2 large and one little yappy dog to raise a ruccas. Those small dogs can be intimidating and its pretty tough to get by 2 big dogs.
Go look in an impound lot or junk yard. They always have multiple dogs.
And the uglier the better.
We have had several dogs over the years with great success.
We came home once to find 2 fellers being held in our tack shed. Our dogs outside just waiting for the chance to get a bite on them.
As one of the men was being processed he made comment that they pet the dogs when they first arrived but everything changed when they tried to come out of the shed with saddles.
One had torn pants from being bitten by the dogs, and they had thrown anything they could, trying to no ado, to drive the dogs away.
My sister and momma said that they had seen that pickup driving slowly along the road only a few days earlier.
The dogs can tell who's good and who's not. Listen closely to them.
If someone comes and you don't want them there. Tell them that they will need to come another time. As you are unable to control the dogs. And that you are afraid that they may be bitten. Which probably isn't far from the truth if you have one of those little yappy dogs. They are the instagators.
Most thieves will state, when asked, that they will pass up a house with dogs over one with a security system as at least they know whether or not that law enforcement has been called if they trip the alarm.
The crazys will shoot at your dogs, or try to poison them when they are trying to get at something on your place. But at least you can then be ready. (Dial 911 on a cell phone the first thing. While going to get your gun.) By the way, dogs can be taught to only eat from you, to help avoid poisoning.
Also when you first meet anyone, shake the persons hand and look them directly in the eyes. You will be able to tell if they are being sincere with you. The soul can be read through the eyes. Folks that are hiding something won't often look you in the eyes. And will glance off to one side when they are telling a lie.
My mother told my brother that it was how she knew when he was fibbing. And I have, through my own dealings with people, found it to be true to a fault.
Keeping your friends close and your enemies closer, is also sage advice.

One last thing guinea and pea fowl are also great alarms. And the guineas are good eating.

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That which is tolerated by the first generation is magnified in the next.

CIW

I'm taking notes on the rest of the stuff, but this one is not as hard to handle as you'd think.

Just tell her it's not a convenient time for you, but you look forward to seeing her again (if you want to). Otherwise, just "Sorry, Suzie, this isn't a good time for me right now. You have a good day now. Bye!"

Pony!

Good advice, but please refrain from putting up a big light that will be on whenever it is dark. I grew up in the country, and enjoyed a dark night sky. It seems every time someone moves out in the country the first thing they do is start throwing up lights everywhere. You would think most would want to leave all the light pollution in the city.

Motion detector lights are a good idea because they will go off once the motion stops.

we have all been overlooking the obvious Build a good 8' fence!http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=153831

My lights are on a switch that I can turn on or off at will. They're off most of the time...

well......that is an idea......
But I just moved out of a place where I felt all boxed in and don't particularly want to build an 8' tall stockade around myself......
and I just invested a rather outragous amount of $$ and work installing an invisible fence to keep my dog on the area of property right around my house (though it does appear that I am the only one in the entire county at all concerned about keeping my dog on my property)

Gun safety classes are good, but buy a crossbow. I realized that living in an urban situation, a firearm is not a good thing to have.

Bullets go through walls and harm neighbors. Or if you're using a shotgun, it makes a big mess.

Then there's the noise. Neighbors call the cops and then you have explaining to do as to why there's a dead guy in your living room.

A crossbow is quiet, not as messy as a shotgun and doesn't have the penetration of most firearms. If it can kill a deer, it'll kill a burglar. It's also cheaper to use than a firearm. Doesn't require licensing in most states and you can get a good one for under $200. Today's modern crossbows are easy to use and cheaper to fire.

Take out the burglar, then quietly roll him up in a tarp and drag him out to the wood chipper in the middle of the night. No trial, no reports to file.

well......
The girl did not show up this evening.......
But "Ray" did.

Just come strolling down my drive as casual as can be. My husband was home. I sent him out first and then I came out a few min later. We didn't even invite him up onto the porch~ but we tried to remain friendly while still a bit standoffish......Ray doesn't seem to bright......he couldn't seem to shut himself up......told us about his many warrants......and being in many fights that he seemed to relish as a good thing ~and I think we were supposed to think this was cool.....he didn't get the hint when I told him several times to stay out of fights and told me about how he couldn't avoid them~ and about how he then has to hide cuz of all the warrants out for him........uuuummmm.....I'm not sure I understood.....but I think he told me he hides in the dumpster. Which I guess would make sence as apparently his family does not use it for trash.....he told us about the Health Dept fining them for his sisters house (yes...borders my property too) was so filled with trash.

He told us he was trying to get his life together.....but he couldn't get a job cuz if he did they would cut his Social Secuirity benifits...........

I didn't SAY we owned a gun.....but I strongly implied it at a couple points.....and I'm buying one as soon as possible (a couple of the fighting stories included how he often carries a gun on his person to defend against the many people out to kick his "rear")

I told him to please be cautious about crossing the drive cuz if my "Dogs" were out he could have been bitten (that when I got to hear about his pitbulls and the "white wolf" he petted after the owner told him not too cuz the dog was mean......cuz he's not afraid of dogs)

Sounds like you have a real nut on your hands. Maybe a nice call to the police saying hey if he has warrants I know where you can find him.

I think I'd let Ray know real quick he's not welcome. Real quick.

I'm all nerves now. I keep thinking I hear noises outside. The only thing keeping me from really freaking out is that both my husband and the dog don't seem to hear all the little noises that keep making me jump.

I love this house. I love this property. I love how nice most everyone I've met here are. I hate feeling afraid of my neighbors.

Welcome to the land of - you can't always choose who your neighbors are!!!

The fighting/ warrented/ illegally carrying a firearm - "Ray" should have it made clear, that he should not be on your property. Do you want him wandering up your drive anytime? Some folks seem to think that it really is "OK" to tresspass onto other's property, at anytime they want...

Country life at night is full of funny noises - you just have to get used to them, and learn to trust your own gut feelings. I go outside armed at night to investigate a funny noise, and find the world's dumbest deer at less than 10 feet outside my front door quite a bit!!

Tomorrow may be a good day, for you and your husband to go out and buy a firearm or two. Then maybe some target practice, to acquaint yourself with the proper handling/ operation of your new homesteading tools....

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Smarter than the average bear, sitting here on my hilltop 80 acres in the fog above the ocean...

"Life is tough, but it is tougher when you are stupid." - John Wayne

Hey - I Just Read Your Thread.....now All I Have To Do Is Find A Vcr Tape I Made Of One Of The Tv Show "lost' Episodes.......

I Have Resisted Getting A Dog Or Dogs As I Live On A Corner Of 2 Acres /w 42 Behind Us.....have Barb Wire Fencing......neighbor Dogs Ignore The Leash Law In This Area And Walk Rite In..... You Sure Have My Sympathy....... Soon I Will Have Part Of My Yard Fenced In Field Wire And Plan To Get At Least One Dog Then.....

Well, Time To Say My Prayers And Lock Up....

Mom

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WOULD THAT ALL WOULD FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND PARTAKE OF HIS GOODNESS.

Living in town, you DO have the police closer by... but you also have all the loonies too. And, from what I can tell, abfab total strangers can park their car out front of your house, walk on your sidewalk, etc. and no one even notices.

Living in the country, if a car pulls up you know it, and can respond. Get a big dog and a big gun. I can't recollect any strangers pulling up to my house after dark. Everyone is greeted after dark, with a firearm, unless they're expected.

Learn everything you can about everyone in the neighborhood. Talk to the sheriff, the preacher, the ladies down at the diner, etc. It shouldn't take long to figure out who the bad apples are...

Keeping em away? Good fences..... ...don't make the place too inviting...

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Seneca
Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. W. Edwards Deming