Mom's got a prowler, Need help with cameras, and advice..

[AJ Dual]

The "pattern" idea is an excelent one. It's been after dark each time, but the exact time and day of the week might establish if the guy's got a job etc.

That's a good call. If they ever catch the guy, it would go a long way twoards deflating an alibi etc.

My mother did indeed feel bothered by the "cat scratch". She's an inteligent professional person with a few degrees, and she knows it meant the person was watching to know to do that...

To re-iterate, I live several states away. So I can't hang out when Stepdad's not home. And her area is way too urban for "target practice". Yards are about 1/4 to 1/3 acre in size. There's a subway stop just five blocks from the house if you want to understand how "urban" this area is…

I did advise her to get Fox Labs pepper spray. Either foam or stream. I don't want her using a fogger indoors. I also reccomended she get the training units to familiarize herself with the spray pattern.

I do keep working on the gun-angle, but I'm coming at it sidways. "You know the places I'm looking for advice, will say 10 to 1 to "get a gun" etc. but I won't bother you with that…".

 

[jeepmor]

A dog is simple

With the lot sizes you mention, a dog is perfect. yappy dogs bring attention about, keeping would be perps on their toes since people usually investigate barking dogs.

Pound puppies are only about $100 bucks and a companion to boot. Don't expect the dog to take on an assailiant, rather think of the dog as an alarm.

I had a dog in college that chased off a prowler. He visited about 3 times. On his last known visit, I sent my shepherd mix out the door at 2am when she was all jacked up with the hair on her back. She actually alerted me to his presence. She bolted out the door and returned 15-20 minutes later. Dogs have an advantage of sensing the odor trail we don't, he could not hide from her so no ambush was possible like if I did the following. Well, long story short, he did not return. Him and my dog worked things out to my liking. Had I heard gunfire and never heard from the dog again, any dogbites in the ER can be put on a watchlist so the police will be notified.

Any pit, rott, or shepherd mix should work well, good dogs when raised from puppies with no former owner issues.

jeepmor

 

[ACORN]

I saw on HGTV that there is a video camera that fits in the "peep hole" on your door that is motion activated, and records date and time on the recording. IIRC they said it was around $300. Could be the answer.

 

[zoom6zoom]

A dog you don't need to train or feed: http://www.x10.com/security/pk9000_s.html

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

what city?

and what kinda neighborhood?
If you are one of those folks comfortable with talking with interesting folks find out who the neighorhood badass is ans talk to him ask for his help. Add a financial incentive.You'd be surprised how some scary guy might react to a plea to help mom.A biker club might help for a beer bash.Shucks just the word some guys with rep are interested might make problem go away. I used to give a few bucks to a homeless guy to watch my cab.Never had a problem

 

[mkh100]

AJ,

For starters I worked tech services for a metropolitan police dept. for about 10 years. One of my jobs was to plant camera's for events just like the problem your Moms having. There are several things you should do.

First she needs to make a Police Report. Its not just for her safety. Imagine if this guy is prowling around the whole neighborhood looking for an easy victim. Your mom calling and alerting the cops to suspicious activity really is a civic duty she owes the 17 year old girl down the street who is home alone, and the widow lady on the next block. It REALLY is the police dept. responsibility to at least make the patrolmen in the area aware of what might be happening. To me this is a much better use of patrolman time than some things they routinely do.

As for the camera, well, its not JUST a camera that you need. A covert Cam will cost anywhere from about $40 and up. the real cost usually is in recording that info. A digital recorder is probably out doue to cost and set up issues. a Time Lapse VCR is not a readily available item and a PC based unit may or may not be an easy fix for Mom.

Here is what I used to recommend. A regular home VCR loaded with T160 tapes (wal-mart) and set to record in LP (Long Play) mode will capture 8 hours of video. You will simply need a monitor (usually any modern TV with video input, like to hook up the DVD player) A home VCR...she likely has this already or they are cheap at the discount stores just comfirm it records in LP mode. The T160 tapes, and the Camera. Were I to do the install professionally I would put the cam outside and shoot down on the area where the suspect is likely to be. If I were to recommend a location for your Mom I would probably say pick a window he (the suspect) is likely to pass or pause in front of and place the cam inside the house as close to the window glass as you can get it.

If you are serious about buying it PM me and I will tell you where to buy a cheap cam and how to set it all up.

The foaming mace was IMO good advice for a less than lethal solution.

Be sure all the windows are locked...even upstairs and additional locks on doors are pretty cheap insurance.

Share the info about the problem with the neighbors (dont tell anyone about a camera, sometimes the bad guy can be the one you least expect)

Keep the cell phone charged and easily reached when she is home alone.

A good security system is not a waste of money, considering the problem.

HTH

Good Luck,

Mike

 

[BigO01]

The whole problem with the cameras , while they are a good idea all they will do is help to catch this guy prowling on your moms property . What if he snaps and has shall we say much worse things in mind for her and all the cameras do is aid in catching him after the fact . Stores and Banks have cameras yet they get robbed and employees get killed everyday , a conviction is hardly a consolation prized while attending you mothers funeral .

If he is continously coming around and is patterning her what is to say he isn't patterning her activities away from the home ? If he would spot the camers he could perhaps attack her away from the home . If cameras are installed find a way to hide them to prevent anyone from knowing they are there .

You never know what is going on in the mind of some nutjob until it is too late .

Good luck and tell your mom to be very wary of any strangers that attempt to make contact with her even out in public especialy at night .

 

[Lonestar]

4. Talk to the people living on all sides of the house and have them keep an eye out of any unusual happenings or people and cars in the area during the peak times.

I make a 5 dollar bet that somewhere around your mother house is an old "NOSEY" neighborhood that would keep a look out for her. If she tells her neighbors "someone been sneeking around my back porch trying to get in." Other neighbors will keep a look out as word gets spread down the street.

 

[Coronach]

-1 on weaponry.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for an armed citizenry. However, if she does not have the proper mindset (is she willing to kill someone? Many people are not, no matter how assertive they are) and the necessary training (is she willing to go to the range and practice? many people are not) it will be more of a liability than an asset. Now, if she does have the right mindset and is willing to train, game on. Otherwise? No. And it sounds like your mom is not, so, no.

-1 on attack dogs.

Unless she is willing to devote the time and effort into working with one and make the lifestyle changes required by having another 100 lb mammal living in the house, this simply will not work.

Security lights, hardwired cameras, reinforced entry points are all good ideas. Calling the local PD the next time it happens is helpful, too. No, they probably cannot do anything constructive unless they catch the guy in the yard, but it will make the beat officers aware of the house and the problem. If nothing else, the next time it happens they'll know right where the house is and the layout of the yard- always helpful when looking for someone running on foot. the more reliable information that your mother can give the police (what she heard, where it was, maybe even some footprints or video footage), the more likely she is to seem reasonable and in need of help, as opposed to some goofball who just "heard a noise" in the back yard (they get a LOT of those, I assure you, along with plenty of crazy people who hear and see things that are not there).

Also, developing her mindset and skillset to the point where giving her a shotgun is a viable alternative is an EXCELLENT idea, but that's more up to her than you. Just don't use equipment to resolve a training problem- that never works.

Mike

 

[kd7nqb]

Two opinions, first would be seriosly talk to your mother about a gun if she is very much against it you may need to do your duty as a son and spend a weekend with her. I am not suggesting that you camp out and go BG hunting but firearms can be easily checked in checked baggage on planes so bringing one along JIC might not be a bad idea.