Thread: The Aftermath of a Break-in

A nearby storage facility was broken into recently and had 51 units cut open.
In response, they are going to install an electrified fence (that's how the thief/thieves gained access). Does anyone have this kind of security at their facility? And if so, what kind of legal and/or liability issues have you come across? Thanks in advance for your input...

Well, in CA, or at least specifically in our county, concertina wire to prevent people climbing over walls is banned out right. The poor thief might get hurt!

Electrified fencing scares me, as I'd probably be the one getting shocked going about daily tasks! Liability issues... sure what about the innocent kid that chases a ball or... yes, scary in the liability aspect for sure.

We don't have that, just the standard iron fencing and sound wall type all around the facility. Unfortunately, with a thief, where there is a will, there is a way.

I understand your point, but the "kid chasing a ball" wouldn't justify not doing it; there's a dozen bad things that could happen to a kid on the property as it is. The whole incident made me realize how futile barbed wire is, though...except providing the "perception" of security. If someone is going to break into a storage facility, they're going to need bolt-cutters and that solves any fencing issue. The thing that just confounds me is how rarely anything is actually stolen. I mean, what could you find in a storage of any value that you could actually transport through a fence? Thanks for your input Gina6k...

The fence was cut to gain entry @ two of our locations. I like the electric fence idea but I think their liability insurance cost would be through the roof! Our gate locks @ 9:00 PM.....so I would love to release a couple of really mean (man eating) dogs on the lot to greet those late night visitors. lol

Originally Posted by Gina6k

Well, in CA, or at least specifically in our county, concertina wire to prevent people climbing over walls is banned out right. The poor thief might get hurt!

We don't have that, just the standard iron fencing and sound wall type all around the facility. Unfortunately, with a thief, where there is a will, there is a way.

If the thief uses a ladder to climb the wall and falls off, it could be your fault also. WTH! Some laws are plain stupid.

What about those perimeter wire sensors ... do those work and how are they for false alarms?

... and do the electric fences take care of movers peeing on the fence?

Madman: I once managed a Public Storage that had perimeter sensors. Pretty good setup until the weather turns bad. Wind and rain really cause havoc with them (not to mention those damned feral cats!)

"Don't wizz on the electric fence...BZZZ!!!!" - Ren and Stimpy

TRUE STORY:

I once managed a facility where I was having a security camera stolen three times. It was located on one corner of a building that bordered the street and someone was climbing up on the roof and stealing it. I called my property manager who told me to go to Walgreens and buy a large jar of Vaseline. He told me to reinstall the new camera and then coat the roof with vaseline all around the camera. Since he has been in the business a long time, I did what he sald. The next day, I came in and saw that the camera had shifted a little but was still there. When I walked to the corner, I noticed a large depression in the soft ground where someone had obviously fallen. There was also a small piece of cloth still dangling from the picket on the fence. I looked on the roof and apparently the would be thief tried to steal the camera the third time, lost his footing and fell almost 12 feet to the ground.

I guess this time, we gave the slip to the criminals!!!