Security system recommendations.

[itsmoked]

We had a two private rail cars broken into this week.

The scuzzball used a can of paint to climb in the window with and spilled it then tracked it thru the entire car...

Anyway there is now the usual belated "urgent need" for an alarm system. We'd like it to be connected via WiFi that will also be protecting the nearby tool containers.

Does anyone have any favorite 'connected' alarms they can recommend? Other suggestions? I'm also looking for the blinking light type indicator so when this scumbags show up and first try the doors they see the conventional flashing warn-offs and then maybe don't bother going further.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[Latexman]

Don't forget about the recorded big dog barks and growls! That's a good deterrent too.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.

 

[waross]

Many years ago I saw an add for a small device that could be hung on a door knob.
Any movement such as a turning door knob triggered a recording of a loud dog barking.
A few years later I wanted one for a friend.
I've been looking for one ever since.
Does anyone know where I can find one of these?
Back to the original question;
Is it feasible to protect the surrounding areas with motion detection and deter vandals before they even reach the cars?
Don't forget the signs;
"SMILE. YOU ARE UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE."
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[Artisi]

"SMILE. YOU ARE UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE."

How about, "DON'T MOVE, WE HAVE YOU COVERED" accompanied by the sound of the hammer being pulled back and locked in position.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[Compositepro]

"the hammer being pulled back and locked in position." = the hammer being cocked.

 

[jraef]

After having my cars ransacked 3 times this year, I am about to buy a floodlight / camera that has a motorized mount and a movement tracker. So when anyone walks near it the lights go on, then as they move, the lights track them and the camera records them, and/or sends you an alert via wi-fi. There was one that also had the ability to play a recorded sound, like "Smile, scumbag, your on camera!", but I can't find that one again.

https://www.amazon.com/Versonel-Nig...1-1-spons&keywords=tracking+flood+light&psc=1

" We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know." -- W. H. Auden

 

[itsmoked]

That sux Jeff!

However.. We've decided the camera angle isn't all it's cracked up to be. Having video of crimes often is useless because the videos don't come with criminal identification. Often the cops can't be bothered with things like auto burglary so going to the expense and bother to get actually good enough pictures to be useful is only a fraction of the solution. We decided it's much better to help the scumbags not burglarize our stuff in the first place (so we avoid damage) not try to get a response on damages that actually have occurred.

I suggest you put in a high quality burglar alarm instead. One that has proximity detection. My son's blazer has an amazing alarm. If you walk withing 6 inches of the vehicle it starts making small noises. Closer and eEEEEEEE-gads!

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[LionelHutz]

Good to know the police aren't mostly useless for that type of thing only in this area. Around here, it's tough to get any useful action on that type of thing when the criminal is both on camera and been identified. But then, to successfully prosecute they pretty much have to catch the criminal leaving the scene with stolen goods in their possession.

Jeff, that camera could help if you're in a populated area with people around, mostly because of the moving light scaring them away. It would at least deter the criminals who aren't too bold.

 

[waross]

The police here have come up with an effective method to reduce reported rural crime.
They have announced that they will no longer be responding to most complaints of rural crime. They will take the information over the phone and write the report in the office.
As word spreads I expect that reported rural crime reports will drop off the scale.
The only reports will be in this category.
"Why did you call the police? They don't do anything."
"I know. I just wanted to talk about it."

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[LionelHutz]

It's to the point that you have to make sure that what goes around comes around yourself personally.

 

[ivymike]

After my neighbors had their wheels stolen last year, I adjusted my surveillance setup. Previously I had a single wide-angle camera and IR illuminator to record footage of activities on my street. Now I've re-aimed that camera and zoomed in so that it captures a clear view of the rear of any cars leaving my U-shaped street, and added a second camera to do general wide-angle surveillance. The former is capable of capturing rear license plates at night on moviing vehicles even with interference of taillights. I'm wondering whether a more focused illuminator would make the capture even more robust - sometimes I have to flip through frames a few times before I know the whole plate number.

 

[itsmoked]

ivy; That's pretty astute! Get all the licenses with some camera and your property with another. I like it. Won't work in my train yard since attackers are on foot and come from anywhere. :/

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[berkshire]

Kieth,
Have you tried Game cameras, they come with IR illumination they are self contained, easily hidden, and they don't trigger until the motion sensor goes off. The only pain in the neck with them is that you have to visit the camera to get the recording. I use them for security on the boat dock. The bad news with these is they only show you who did it, they do not prevent.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[ivymike]

There are also game cameras that will transmit captured images via wifi (camera as host/access point) or via 3g/4g cellphone (provide your own sim card and data plan). The latter would be my likely choice if I ever get another hunting lease.

 

[waross]

I have tried several models of game cameras for surveillance but not all.
The ones that I tried were ineffective. They had several seconds delay before taking the first picture. Very few cars were moving slow enough to record an image. Over about 5 MPH and you missed it.
I am sure that there are different cameras on the market, but beware that you don't get similar delays in the camera you select.
Actually, very visible dummy cameras may be a better deterrent.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[berkshire]

Bill,
The game cameras do not do well with vehicles. they are not designed for that, they do much better with pedestrians creeping around where they are not supposed to be, like up between your rail cars .

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[waross]

Something that they capture very well is blowing grass and bushes. I have hundreds of pictures of grass and shrubs.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[berkshire]

Time to get out the weed whacker
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[itsmoked]

A weed whacker doesn't work at all, at least in a train yard looking for intruders or triggering alarms.

We tried all sorts of motion detectors during the great copper rip-offs of 2010. Not a single one could be reliably adjusted to not see down to the ground. Same with video cameras with their purported ability (lies) to mask out areas of the frames to not trigger on.

I'd get calls several times a week, call up the video camera, only to see blowing trash, coyotes, cats, skunks, possums, and raccoons.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[catserveng]

Maybe technology isn't the answer (probably not a great thing to say in an Engineer's forum, but what the heck).

A friend of mine has a similar issue, his business is tearing down mostly old industrial buildings for reuse/recycling, not that his yard has a lot of high value goods, but always seemed to be a target. We tried all kinds of things, many mentioned above, still no real solution. We were sitting in a small local VFW complaining to each other when the bartender mentioned one of the regulars was looking for a low cost place to live. After some discussion he bought an old travel trailer, cleaned it up nice and moved the guy in, worked out well and no problems with a regular presence. When the first guy passed away, the local barflies came up with a new candidate pretty quick, the current guy even cleans up around the place once in a while.

Maybe someone in your network needs a place, maybe the cost of making it work would be less in the long run than trying a technology solution. Not sure how it would work in your area, but might be worth considering if you have the extra room.

Just an idea, MikeL