Surveillance help needed.

[PHC1]

My new construction home has been hit twice now by vandals. I am getting a little tired of this.

First time there was extensive spray painting of all brand new Anderson windows and doors, brand new HVAC units, bath tub, etc... as well as cutting some wiring for fun. This time around only the garage was hit as the door to the house was locked. It is obviously some local kids judging by profanities spray painted on the floors and walls and no theft of any kind. This time around they also broke a brand new Anderson window in the garage!

No electricity in the house yet so I can't alarm it... The cops were notified both times, they are investigating... I doubt they will ever catch anyone.

I need advise on what to do about this. I need to find a way to get these kids to stop this nonsense. If I catch them in the act myself, I am afraid to even think about the consequences... it's just not worth going to jail over it. What optimally needs to happen is some kind of form of surveillance to capture the images of them. Anyone have any ideas how to accomplish this without electricity in the house?

[gtubes]

The only thing that really works in my opinion is live video, that you can monitor remotely, so its recorded, and or you catch them in the act with the same vid. I speak from personal experience and success at one arrest for theft of constructions materials with this method.

[Masterlu]

Do you have a GC in charge of the job? If not you will have to deal with it. Is this in a gated community?

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by mc602

The only thing that really works in my opinion is live video, that you can monitor remotely, so its recorded, and or you catch them in the act with the same vid. I speak from personal experience and success at one arrest for theft of constructions materials with this method.

Perfect. Any suggestions for a battery/solar powered camera?

[1KW]

That sucks Serge, sorry to hear about this vandalism. Get some motion detector lights hooked up and that may scare them away.

[cmalak]

Serge...here are some options for battery operated surveillance cameras: https://www.smarthome.com/_/Cameras_...N/1QL/nav.aspx
the site also has dummy cameras that just have a flashing LED to give the impression that there is a real surveillance camera operating.

also what about putting up a sign that says: "Beware: Guard Dog on Duty." Here's a site with some options.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Do you have a GC in charge of the job? If not you will have to deal with it. Is this in a gated community?

Not a gated community Ivan, a quiet street where nothing ever happens. Except my house of course... The GC is in charge and they have fixed everything from the last hit but this is really getting to me now and starting to feel a little personal.

[gtubes]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Perfect. Any suggestions for a battery/solar powered camera?

I will get some info from my brother, he and I both worked for the same builder who utilized this type of thing with tremendous success, across dozens of sites. He is still there. Greg

[vintage_tube]

Couple questions -- how long before you close & actually take the keys? 6-10 weekss?? Any ocuppied lots next door (nearby??) or quite a distance away?

Bob

[jdandy]

Serge.......I had a similar problem on a construction compound in south Florida after hurricane Andrew. I had a 50KW generator on site, the only power in the entire area, and I turned it off at night when I left. Pitch black nights without moon light, no billboard lights, street lights, nothing lit after the generator was shut down. I had two office trailers, and ten 40' trailers I used to store wire, panels, and other electrical material and tools, plus 10 Astro vans parked in the compound at night. After the first break in, and loss of $15K worth of copper wire and tools, I hired armed security to man the sight from 6PM to 6AM seven days a week. No more break ins. The armed security service was cheaper than the loss.