Protecting against backyard thieves?

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OlSpazzy

Member
What are the safest, legal property defense options for California backyard medical growers?

I'm in Northern California running a medical co-op grow with 4 others in my backyard. A lot of our plants are in full flower with some of them very close to harvest and I'm now extra worried about thieves after a recent event: the neighbor right next to our garden decided to replace their roof, which resulted in a lot of day-laborers standing high up with full sight of our 25 plants. I even spoke with one of them and he complimented me on the garden.

As nice as that guy may have seemed, how many guys will be eyeing my grow while this roof is replaced? And who else will they tell? I have to assume my address is on someone's map or soon will be.

So with that reality in mind, what can I reasonably do to protect my grow? So far we've:

-Padlocked the gates and put up "beware of dog" signs (but we're not actually allowed to have a dog because we're renting)
-Installed a wireless night-vision security camera w/ motion recording
-Stashed a 3-cell Maglite and a sword (roommate's lol) near the back door in case we actually have to scare someone off
-Ordered a wireless motion sensor+alarm combo to alert us at night

Any other ideas? Our fences around this neighborhood suck and can easily be jumped so the padlocks are mostly useless deterrents that will only stop the laziest of thieves. The security footage won't be of much use since the cops will likely laugh it off plus it doesn't do anything to PREVENT theft (unless one of us is constantly watching the live feed for intruders).

I'm thinking the motion alarm + Maglite is my best defense currently. Guns are out of the question as California laws suck in that regard, even pepper spray over 2.5oz is illegal here and could only be used for defense of life, not property, or you'd be tried for assault.

So once again, what are the safest, legal property defense options for California backyard medical growers?
 
grower215

grower215

Active Member
i dont remember where i got it but i have a motion system that if it is triggered it sounds an alarm in my room
 
1

1sttimeguy

Well-Known Member
Motion sensor lighting...

Lights are a huge deterent for thieves. They don't want attention, period. If you can have motion activated lights that are out of reach that's ideal. Aside from that, I like the rose bush idea.
 
7

757growin

Well-Known Member
Sounds like there is a few of you. Go buy and a tent and camping gear and set up in your jungle! You can all be there or rotate nights, wish I had some1 to share that duty with.
 
420God

420God

Well-Known Member
Careful with the lighting, you don't want to screw up your flowering.

How about this? Fully auto paintball sentry.

[video=youtube;6QcfZGDvHU8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QcfZGDvHU8[/video]
 
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gioua

Well-Known Member
seriously... dogs are your best friend...
1. deter people from entering by being present... not too many like a dog biting them
2. even my fat little piggy Chihuahua barks once she hears the other dog who is outside 100% of the time
3. if trained correctly they are better then motion sensors..


nothing but being at your grow 100% of the time armed with a tank will stop asshole thieves from being asshole thieves..

I am at home the entire day but leave to pickup my kids and occasionally go into town.. and I still worry... nothing a few puff does not resolve tho...
 
Vindicated

Vindicated

Well-Known Member
Dogs are good deterrents like Gioua mentioned. I also like cow bells. My gf's family gave me that tip. They raise cows and horses. They were telling me that during the Wild West ranchers used bells on their animals as an early warning system. A few bells hooked to a fence works for me. I also own a dog and she'll notice the bells before I do. They have some heft to them so they don't jingle in the wind either.

Security lights are also a good idea.
 
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imchucky666

Well-Known Member
OlSpazzy said:
What are the safest, legal property defense options for California backyard medical growers?

I'm in Northern California running a medical co-op grow with 4 others in my backyard. A lot of our plants are in full flower with some of them very close to harvest and I'm now extra worried about thieves after a recent event: the neighbor right next to our garden decided to replace their roof, which resulted in a lot of day-laborers standing high up with full sight of our 25 plants. I even spoke with one of them and he complimented me on the garden.

As nice as that guy may have seemed, how many guys will be eyeing my grow while this roof is replaced? And who else will they tell? I have to assume my address is on someone's map or soon will be.

So with that reality in mind, what can I reasonably do to protect my grow? So far we've:

-Padlocked the gates and put up "beware of dog" signs (but we're not actually allowed to have a dog because we're renting)
-Installed a wireless night-vision security camera w/ motion recording
-Stashed a 3-cell Maglite and a sword (roommate's lol) near the back door in case we actually have to scare someone off
-Ordered a wireless motion sensor+alarm combo to alert us at night

Any other ideas? Our fences around this neighborhood suck and can easily be jumped so the padlocks are mostly useless deterrents that will only stop the laziest of thieves. The security footage won't be of much use since the cops will likely laugh it off plus it doesn't do anything to PREVENT theft (unless one of us is constantly watching the live feed for intruders).

I'm thinking the motion alarm + Maglite is my best defense currently. Guns are out of the question as California laws suck in that regard, even pepper spray over 2.5oz is illegal here and could only be used for defense of life, not property, or you'd be tried for assault.

So once again, what are the safest, legal property defense options for California backyard medical growers?
Click to expand...
I know exactly what you mean, I came from Cali.
About the easiest, cheapest, is get enough 1x6 boards, (like fence boards), whatever you can get cheap. Enough to go the length of your fence 2 or 3 times over.
Get a 5 pound box of 3" deck nails, or if you have a nail gun even better.
Just start pounding the nails through (all facing the same direction) randomly, about every 3 or 4 inches, then when done, just lay them face up, making a fence inside a fence.
I guarantee, you will hear somebody coming over the fence in the dark before that motion light ever goes off!
 
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imchucky666

Well-Known Member
OlSpazzy said:
Thanks for the feedback so far! I like the idea of a backyard camp-out. Is there any specific type of motion flood light I should get or will something cheap like this do? http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Beams-Wireless-Spotlight-Photocell/dp/B002P6EQPW

I would definitely go for the dog idea if it wasn't a violation of my lease.
Click to expand...
Any $15 porch motion sensor from Depot, or Lowe's will do, as long as you have a porch light fixture for your backyard.
Get the one with the widest angle of coverage you can find, and even put a second one on opposite corner and overlap the coverage in the middle, but make sure you are covered from side to side.
 
C3Pgro

C3Pgro

Active Member
Put grease on top of the fence or put glass on top of the fence buddy. Another idea is lay 2 sided tape on the top of your fence nand put tacks down. Path your backyard with crunchy gravel so you can hear an intruder too. Somebody should design an alarm that when triggered makes vicious dog barking noises from around a corner lol.
 
boedhaspeaks

boedhaspeaks

Well-Known Member
imchucky666 said:
I know exactly what you mean, I came from Cali.
About the easiest, cheapest, is get enough 1x6 boards, (like fence boards), whatever you can get cheap. Enough to go the length of your fence 2 or 3 times over.
Get a 5 pound box of 3" deck nails, or if you have a nail gun even better.
Just start pounding the nails through (all facing the same direction) randomly, about every 3 or 4 inches, then when done, just lay them face up, making a fence inside a fence.
I guarantee, you will hear somebody coming over the fence in the dark before that motion light ever goes off!
Click to expand...
Rusty nails will have them remember that night for months.
 
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