We've been operating approx. 800 units for about 7 years with few problems in theft, however, recently a new townhome site is being constructed close by and we've had an increase in activity. It is a 6 acre site with fence surrounding the perimeter with barbed wire on top. The fence is being cut at random places and the punks are breaking into our parked construction trailers that are along the fence line and bolting before we can discover the dirty deeds. The police are called and they file a report but b/c we are in a remote area, the site is not patrolled that often. The security cameras pick up most of the action but not very good quality b/c it occurs at night.

Question: Is there a reasonable fence enhancement to deter these punks? More cameras or electric fence doesn't seem to be the answer. Maybe some sort of alarm sounding when the fence is cut? Anybody else out there with this problem or have a solution? Thanks in advance.

Maybe some motion lights installed around the fence perimeter might help. Once light picks up there motion it could just scare them off.

A big dog. That would teach them. We've had the same problems & no matter how many cameras you put out, it still does not deter them. We've used motion sensors in the past and found they were a pain because they were always being tripped by accident. I'm sure better technology today would allow you to adjust sensitivity, etc.
I'm interested in hearing a good answer to this problem too.
Danielle

Perimeter beams tied to an alarm, a loud alarm, is one approach. Also, you mention having cameras but, evidently, not very good ones. This is not an item on which to economize, as you are finding out.
Good equipment costs more for a reason. Get better cameras so that when you show the police your surveillance tapes, they can better make out who the culprits are. Given the location of your facility, law enforcement may already have its suspicions; your video gives them something concrete the pursue.
Some exterior lighting wouldn't hurt, either.

I have to agree w/ Alex on most of this. There is a technology called Geoquip (although not inexpensive) that works well. It measures uncommon vibrations and cuts in the fence and hooks to your site alarm system.
You could also try a CCTV system that creates an alarm on motion (pixel change) and also hooks to the security system. This can create a false alarm nightmare if not set up correctly though. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks for everyone's input. Like Nebraska said, no matter how many cameras you put up, it doesn't seem to deter them. More or better cameras could help but is really not the answer to deter the crimes b/c the police here have told me on more than one occasion that a picture of the criminal can only help so much (i.e. they do not believe that the crimes are important enough to pursue without any more evidence than a security camera shot of a person on site).

I do like the idea of perimeter beams, motion detectors and the Geoquip that measures uncommon vibrations in the fence perimeter with one or more tied to a loud alarm to run the punks away. Possibly connect these solutions to the alarm company that will in turn call the police.

The information posted was quite helpful and thank you all so much for your input. I will look further into the solutions that each of you have suggested and report back on which ideas seem the most cost effective and implement one or more of the ideas. Thanks again everyone.

we don't have cameras (yet) but what we do have seems to be working for now.

Our system includes Laser Perimeter beams, block walls and a code activated gate, and me with a baseball bat!

The beams can be a problem at times - epically on windy nights when the plastic bags fly over the fence. It always seems to happen between 1 and 3 in the morning but this is also a good thing -- the alarm is loud enough that the neighborhood punks know that we have an alarm system and don't give us any problems!

Cameras are a great sales tool, and provide a "since of security" for the tenets. That is why we will be installing a system in the near future, but I will not give up my beams!!! Besides - in the summer it's nice to get up in the middle of the night and go for a drive around the lot (not so nice in the winter thou... )

Just my 2 cents

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How about an 8' wrought iron fence with security spikes?

Something we have done here is turned our alarm bells on during the day. As we clean units or show units the neighborhood and anybody checking out the complex hears the alarms.

Good luck
Ron

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Ron VanVarden
Advanced Mini Storage
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stocktonstorage.net

Has anyone tried intertwining a level of razor wiring about a third of the way up the fence and / or at the top? I am considering trying that as a deterent. BJstorage

BJstorage;

While I can understand your desire to provide your facility and your customers with maximum security, I would urge caution and homework. Caution because you could be creating a bigger insurance liability for yourself then you will achieve. So my recommendation is to check out this potential problem with both your attorney and with your insurance agent. I would also encourage you to check with the building department in your community. Many municipalities have very strict rules on fence requirements especially razor and/or barbed wire.

MisterJim444

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