[trexmgd]

Whether it's our time or our money (or both), many of us end up with a lot invested in our displays.

As we all get bigger and better props, what do you do to protect them from theft and vandalism?

I know the simple answer is to pull everything in, but I'm wondering if anyone has gone hi-tec.

 

[Eric Striffler]

We actually have LOTS of security guards in our haunt.
We have at least two patrolling the woods each night that it's open,
and one or two at each house, and some in between to make sure there's no bad stuff going on haha. AlLso we have some at the entrance and where you buy tix and wait on line and buy food and all that.
When it's not going on though, there's only people there during the day. One guy lives on the property so I guess he'd hear if something was going on.
Otherwise I don't think there's much of a problem because it's scary as HELL after dark with no lights on. NO ONE would go in haha.

 

[theboogeymengraveyard]

I have a chicken wire fence around my display, sensor lights and a carma

 

[ScareShack]

This is our security measure.
1. Sign posted vid. survillance in effect.
2. video camera running after hours.
3. Spots turned on at night, yes annoys neighbors but its only for a few weeks.
all props are wired down with mech. wire, u can try and grab one but u aint leaving with it.
4. almost whole display is fenced in behind cementery fence.
as for high tech, we just use the vid. camera, but no prob. last year. we are adding though a pri to trigger a ligh and sound for after hours to go off if anyone enters.
Im a strong beliver in.if they want it, they will take it, so never underestimate.

 

[slimy]

I stay up all night looking pissed off and holding a baseball bat.

 

[wormyt]

Ive had my yard set up for over a week now. Have security cameras in place and a tombstone sign by the road that reads....

The Spirits of halloween are watching you and so are our video cameras from four different angles....So SMILE!!!!!! I set this sign by the road . I have four different tvs with vhs so we record the yard when we go to bed or leave at night.

 

[Eric Striffler]

I stay up all night looking pissed off and holding a baseball bat.

LMAO
That's the funniest thing to picture XD

 

[JohnnyL]

Anyone know of a good place to buy a cheap video camera or two? One that a dummy can use.

I did have a gargoyle stolen last year, but that's the only time anything has been taken for 13 years from our home. It was on a post 1 foot from the street though. This year they'll be secured onto the columns.

 

[trexmgd]

Anyone try any sort of alarm system? Like the portable (battery powered) ones you can hang on a door handle and go off when grounded (someone touching it) or by motion?

 

[Front Yard Fright]

Anyone try any sort of alarm system? Like the portable (battery powered) ones you can hang on a door handle and go off when grounded (someone touching it) or by motion?

That's a great idea!
Never thought of that!

This year I plan on putting up some motion sensor lights so if somebody enters the yard, two bright lights will shine in their face...
I'm hoping that will make them think twice...
But not make it easier for them by lighting up their selection of props!

We haven't had anything stolen or anything...
*Knock on wood*
So I'm pretty relaxed about stuff like this...
.

 

[Paranormal Media]

Wal-mart has a couple very good security systems and they are CHEAP, also try ebay alot of people sell that stuff on there cheap.

 

[Cassie7]

We haven't had any problems (knock on wood). We have very enthusiastic neighbors that await our display every year so they keep a close watch on our yard and immediately jump on anyone that looks suspicious.

Also, we involve the older kids in the neighborhood. They love to help build and set up the haunt. They really enjoy having an inside/behind the scenes view of things and are even active in planning/ideas. (it's wise to be on their good side )

Plus, we only put up the really big props early and it would take several people with screwdrivers, wrenches and a pickup truck to steal any of them. The weekend leading up to the big night is when we do the majority of decorating. Then Halloween afternoon, the animated props and inflatables go out (while we do this, we get our yearly meet and greet with the neighbors who always have cameras and tons of questions).

 

[Paranormal Media]

Yeah, I have never had a problem neither. I live in a wonderful neighborhood with great people whom are just as happy about it as I am. Although, I do not put out any of the high end stuff until the day of just because some group of kids or some ass driving around might deside they want my props even more then me and take them or tear them up. Which Im sure does happen. And when we did a "pro" haunt our location every year was right across from a factory that had 24 hours security, and they did a patrol every hour, and they went in front and down beside our location, so that was very handy and FREE( best part) and we never had any problems.

 

[widowsbluff]

I have only had a couple of heads stolen. Most of the teens in our neighborhood are former students of mine which I think helps cut down on any theft, however I get very little sleep on Friday and Saturday nights while the display is up, the weekend seems to be primetime for theft. Anybody use motion sensor lights?

 

[Richie]

Anyone know of a good place to buy a cheap video camera or two? One that a dummy can use.

Johnny,

This is the deal I came across. You can read my thread at the link below. Others in this forum have also purchased them after I posted about them. I'm hoping they'll be as satisfied with them as I am.

http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=7915

 

[frstvamp1r]

I have everything designed in a way where I set up my Haunt and Tear down in one night...so would-be "meanie-heads" don't have enough time to take anything.

 

[trexmgd]

I have everything designed in a way where I set up my Haunt and Tear down in one night...so would-be "meanie-heads" don't have enough time to take anything.

That's what I used to do in the past. But now with all my stuff and the fact that I'd like some of it shown for more than 4 hours, I'm looking for a way to protect it.

 

[AzKittie74]

I am setting up motion sensors (if you brake the beam it sounds off) in hopes that it scares them off before they get to my stuff. but I will only have a graveyard out front so if the punks steal my tombstones I can remake more. but I have had alot of crazy things happen in my front yard lately so I will be watching this thread for some options. we live on Holiday Shores a very high prices area that Californians use as vacation homes and not alot of crime in this area but some JERKS have been thru my yard and broken all of my planters and yard decor, and my 15 yrs old daughters 1st car is a cute lil convertible and some JERK busted out the passenger window, nice huh. just goes to show no matter where you live or how nice the area, you are not safe from JERKS!
Even with cameras your not sure to get the JERK that runs off with the prop you worked a whole week on, and if you do you might not get it back.
So I am at a loss, I also want my graveyard up for awhile but don't see it happening and if I do set up now I'll only use the stuff that I can replace easily so it won't be that nice. UGH!!

 

[meestercranky]

I built the PVC Special fence which encloses the yard and keeps people from wandering up to take things, and the whole fence has grapvine woven through it, and each piece is lashed together with pull ties and tied at the feet. You couldnt really pull it apart even without making quite a production out of it and even my crows are lashed down with pull ties... so really.. no security. Eveyone seems to repect it but my neighbors for some reason have had inflatable props and other things stolen or vandalized from right off their porch!

I do have a lit archway at the entrance and exit and built two additional hunks of fence to act as "gates" inside the arches, to keep curious doggies out before showtime.

 

[CraigInPA]

Cemetary fence around everything. Motion sensing white flood lamps in the trees. Dog who likes to bark at strangers sleeping on the porch. Busy road, around the corner from the police station. Wire around the light and moveable stuff, stakes on the larger items. I've never had anything "walk" at halloween.

Personally, I think the combination of live dog and flood lights is the biggest deterrent. No one is going to mess with a 110 pound dog to steal a $10 prop.