Shop Security

[capncarl]

After a rash of burglarlies in my corner of the world I've re-focused on shop security. Most of the crimes have been solved but most of the property is lost, and all were crack heads stealing for their habits. Only one burglary was in my neighborhood, the homeowner had just left for a 30 minute trip to town. They kicked the back door in, got Tvs, computers, guns and wrecked the house. A nearby neighbors security camera identified their car and they were caught in another burglary in the next week but most property had been sold. Crack heads on parole, living over 50 miles away just prowling for easy picking. Im in the process of painting my shop and when I got to the window in the personnel door I decided to remove the grille rather than spend an hour taping the glass. When I removed the inside grille the insulated glass panel came out, it measured 1/2" thick, and I decided to replace the glass panel with 2 thicknesses of 1/4" lexan with a mirror window tint film in between the 2. This won't keep out a determined burglar but it might slow one down, and I won't have to buy a new window when they break it and find that the deadbolt is keyed. All windows in my shop have burglar bars inside so I feel good about them. What security measures do you use on your shops?
capncarl

[TimTucker]

You mentioned kick ins nearby -- the quickest and easiest fix for that is to replace the junk screws that come with most door hardware with something long enough to hit studs instead of just the frame.

A reinforced strike plate is probably a good measure as well, although I certainly got in a lot more time practicing my mortising skills than I had hoped when putting one in -- these are what I picked up for $20 each:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded...1026/204254635

Also picked up some security hinge bolts (about $5 per set on ebay in bulk) -- much quicker and easier to install than the strike plates and it seems like they'll help the hinge side to better resist kicking or prying with a crowbar:
http://www.amazon.com/SECURITY-HINGE.../dp/B007JHI694

[capncarl]

This shop door was purposely installed out swing to be kick in resistant. This causes its own problems but I'm ok with getting a little wet and have sealed the top of the door to prevent water damage. I will replace the hinges with fixed pin type or weld the pins. Im not aware of any break-ins by removing the hinge pins, but you would be suprised how quick you can get inside by simply punching out the hinge pins, probably less that 30 seconds and that's being careful not to mess up the paint! Does anyone use a security alarm system in their shop?
capncarl

[TimTucker]

If it's swing out, I'd definitely recommend getting some of those security hinge bolts, since that's what they were originally designed for (apparently outlawing seems to be the standard for installations in the UK): even if someone were to remove the hinge pins on the outside the door isn't going to move much.

A demo of how they go in:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3BDtEv4Rt1k

[LinuxRandal]

While I have never personally seen then remove the hinge pins to get in, several LEO friends have. A simple fix we did on several doors was drilling into the barrel section of the hinge and putting set screws into the pin.
Another thing that has been used by multiple people I know, including some officers, is getting stickers from one of the bigger, monitored alarm companies, because that makes them just look for one without it.

[twistsol]

The garage doors on my shop have no handles on the outside and they are physically locked from the inside. I have a steel security door with deadbolt. Unfortunately, alarm systems whee I live are pretty much useless as a smash and grab burglary is usually faster than the response time for law enforcement in our area. Because we are rural the sheriff just plain has a lot of territory to cover. On a happy note, crime is very low. There are foggers available that when triggered by an alarm make it impossible to see. I have no idea how much they cost. Here's an example http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/05/prweb520900.htm

Sad as it may be, you just need to be a more difficult target than your neighbors.

[TB Roye]

Our home has a monitored alarm system (ADT) that includes door and window sensors in the shop, besides I have 3 dogs who are very protective of their yard. The yard also so has security lights that come low at dusk and off at sunrise but light brightly at night if movement is detected. The door is out swinging but I converted the hinges from wood screws to Carriage bolts with the nuts on the inside. For a long time 2006-2013 time span our subdivision was plagued buy drugs and break in's Neighborhood watch and establishing a good working relationship with Police cleaned that so the crime rate is way down. Still the house and shop and yard are secured.


Tom