Anyone make purchases that make it harder for thieves to steal?

[kndy]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering, for those who live in areas that tend to be targeted by thieves or notice it's happening more in your area, have you started to look into buying home theater that is more of a deterrent for thieves that are looking for a quick steal.

Currently, I'm in the process of upgrading my setup and during the Holidays, several friends and family members had their homes robbed. One in nice gated community and two that live in metropolitan cities. But all went after things that could be carried easily (PS3, XBox 360, Wii, LCD screens, Laptops, etc.).

I often worry because I remember one day, I was testing my stereo system in my vehicle, bumping the stereo loud and and the next day, my system was stolen. I tend to like to watch my movies loud...and as many protective measures I can have in protecting the house, I worry about this sometimes.

But I was wondering if some people on here made purchasing habits not just for it's quality but also wondering if anyone found ways to protect your equipment from theft or do you like going big and making it hard for a person to do a quick steal?

[Another_Dude]

I have a sticker on my door that says "Security by Glock" which does a pretty good job.

[DavidAg02]

I have this sitting just inside the only entrance to my condo:



5 and a half foot Colombian Redtail Boa. It deters a few friends from coming over, so I can only imagine what an intruder would think!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

I have a sticker on my door that says "Security by Glock" which does a pretty good job.

+1

When I bought my TV mount for the wall ! It has latches on bottom for paddle- locks . Got 2 different locks on it .

[Lucy Diamond]

I'm not so worried about my theater gear as my guitars. I DEFINITELY don't have to worry about my Boogies, because they are waaaay too heavy. They'd hoist the head off the speaker cab, burst their groin, get to the door and then sew me for their new chronic back pain.

[callas01]

I have Dawg the Bounty Hunter Jr walking around my neighborhood with his pistol in his body holster and no jacket on, everyone who used to look shady no longer is seen on the street, coincidence. Oh, and yeah, he makes sure everyone knows he has his permit for it too. Good thing he likes me, he said if anyone F's with me he'll shoot them...... Im totaly serious too.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

I have this sitting just inside the only entrance to my condo:
!

I had this little guy...... but now I have a wife and kid....

snake_0011.jpg

By the time he was given up (a handler in red-river gorge) he was about 12.5' long, and HEAVY.... he was a great pet for an irresponcible college kid at the time!

EDIT:

He was an Albino Burmese Python.... forgot to mention

[Lanfear]

That is awesome! What did you feed that thing?

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

By the time he was given up (a handler in red-river gorge) he was about 12.5' long, and HEAVY.... he was a great pet for an irresponcible college kid at the time!

Wow! That is incredible! My boa is less that half that length, and I already think it is huge.

Was he pretty tame?

[Steve]

The .45/12 gauge combination seem to be a pretty effective deterrent.

[ak808]

Thats insane. Never heard of anyone actually keeping a python for a pet. All I got is a german shepherd protecting my gear...well that is if he's not to busy breaking other stuff around the house.

[JamesKurtovich]

I have 4 tarantulas and a ferret guarding my set-up. I'd like a green ball python, but at the moment I do not have the time for one. My next pet will either be a bearded dragon or a small colony of emporer scorpions.

Seriously, I don't think I'd want to live in a place where my home could be robbed and if I did, I'd be more worried about my family than possessions in the home. I'm not used to crime, I've lived in Alaska for most of my life and even though the crime rate is growing (as it does everywhere), most of everyone in Alaska carries guns so.. no problem there.

[ZIPPO]

Wall mount your TV & padlock it. Keep your media(dvds,blu-rays,cds & games) out of plain sight, preferably in something that is heavy & locks ( http://www.can-am.ca/CD-storage-DVD-storage1.htm ). Keep your electronics out of plain sight, preferably in something that's heavy & locks (http://www.can-am.ca/AV-electronics-...o-cabinets.htm )." OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND! ".

Use motion sensing security lights & infrared surveillance cameras around the perimeter of your home. Install a burglar alarm & warning signs. Get a guard dog. Install hidden surveillance cameras near your home theater area. Also use lights on a timer or a motion sensor inside your home. Keep windows locked & use double deadbolts on exterior doors. Get a good homeowner or renters insurance policy. " AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE! ".

[Kryptron]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

I'm not so worried about my theater gear as my guitars. I DEFINITELY don't have to worry about my Boogies, because they are waaaay too heavy. They'd hoist the head off the speaker cab, burst their groin, get to the door and then sew me for their new chronic back pain.

I've herd of bands having their entire trailer full of gear stolen. There are some crazy people out there. Not all thieves go for small electronics. Having an alarm is not a bad idea, a lot of companies insure everything that's stolen if the thief comes through a secure window. The Glock sticker sounds pretty cool

[slaizer2000]

I have these security stickers on my windows and doors.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

I have these security stickers on my windows and doors.

That's the one I need to put up.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

I have these security stickers on my windows and doors.

TOO FUNNY!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

I have these security stickers on my windows and doors.

LOL Yeah that should keep people away for sure!!

[Phatferd]

You can always just take pictures of your gear so if anything ever happened your insurance company would take care of it.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Lanfear

That is awesome! What did you feed that thing?

A few large (and I mean LARGE) Rats, or a Large rabbit.... every two weeks or so.

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Wow! That is incredible! My boa is less that half that length, and I already think it is huge.

Was he pretty tame?

If by "Tame" you mean Docile, then "Yes" I actually handled him almost every day, and even took him on walks, and let him swim in the bath-tub!!!!, he only bit me two times.... both of those times was when he was smaller (a few feet or so) and were my fault.... I used to take him out of his aquarium (when he was small enough to live in one) and put him in another aquarium for feeding (to get him used to the idea that he didn't eat in his "Living" space..... ) this is what they tell you to do, so their cage doesn't smell like rats etc.... either way, I found out the hard way that they get REAL aggressive the second you put them in the "KILL TANK" as I called it One of the two times, the rat jumped up on my hand, and he got me that way..... the other time he just missed, and I flinched.... I used to hold them by the tail and he'd take them out of my hand..... I stopped doing that though!!!!!!!! When he got bigger, he had to eat in his "cage" anyways, which was 4' X 4' and 8' tall, with large PVC pipe from top to bottom (like a fake tree) held in place with toilet flanges to the top and bottom.... It was about 4" diameter piping.... and his "Water Dish" was a large plastic cement mixing tub with a 30lb sandstone in it so he wouldn't flip it over.

Originally Posted by ak808

Thats insane. Never heard of anyone actually keeping a python for a pet. All I got is a german shepherd protecting my gear...well that is if he's not to busy breaking other stuff around the house.

Pythons (Burmese at least) are one of the most domesticated snakes..... Boas are actually more dangerous because they get larger around, rather than longer (max out at 15' or so??? maybe less, while Burmese get to 20' for so) but holding a Boa around your neck is bad because they can get scared and "jump" and basically ACCIDENTALLY snap your neck..... Burmese Pythons are constrictors, but not nearly as deadly as Boas..... (but Boas are very docile snakes too)

My buddy worked at the Zoo during college, and people would drop off pit-vipers they had as pets.... now THAT is crazy




Here is the proverbial "money shot" so you can see my ugly mugg.... at least as of 7 years ago or so....... This was taken about 3 years before I got rid of him, so he grew QUITE A BIT during that three years.... I'd say he's a good 8.5' or so here..... maybe 9.5, who knows..... AHH the good ol' college house basement..... still have the Foos table though!

snake_0012.jpg