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Trail Camera to catch a snooping neighborhood thief?

S

snatiep

Hello Everyone!

I live in a quiet neighborhood, very nice people. Two weeks ago someone broke into my pickup truck and took my Craftsman tool kit I kept behind the seat. I spoke to my neighbor across the street a few days later and he mentioned that he had noticed someone had been rummaging around his shed in the backyard.

I know nothing about trail cameras, but I think that would be a great way to try to catch whoever is snooping around our neighborhood.

I sure would appreciate recommendations from any of you with trail camera experience for a good trail camera I could hide in my yard. Maybe something under $200 but wouldn't mind spending more if you recommend it.

Thanks much and Happy Thanksgiving!
Nate
 
simon1

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
I'm surprised you haven't had any response yet Nate. I'm interested also. I have zero experience with trail cams but have thought about one to use for hogs coming up to the pond and who comes up by the carport. My budget would be about $100 though.
 
bberg100

bberg100

Trail cams make good adhoc security cams. Trouble is hiding them well enough they don't get pilfered too. Lots of construction guys use them to see who is stealing tools/material.
 
VerbaVolant

VerbaVolant

snatiep said:
...I sure would appreciate recommendations...
Click to expand...

A trail camera will take pictures or a short video of anything that moves in its vicinity. "Trail Camera to catch a snooping neighborhood thief?" it ain't gonna happen.

Assuming you are one of the "nice people", my advice is to not take matters into your own hands. This way you can stay "nice".
 
tetraodon

tetraodon

snatiep said:
Hello Everyone!

I live in a quiet neighborhood, very nice people. Two weeks ago someone broke into my pickup truck and took my Craftsman tool kit I kept behind the seat. I spoke to my neighbor across the street a few days later and he mentioned that he had noticed someone had been rummaging around his shed in the backyard.

I know nothing about trail cameras, but I think that would be a great way to try to catch whoever is snooping around our neighborhood.

I sure would appreciate recommendations from any of you with trail camera experience for a good trail camera I could hide in my yard. Maybe something under $200 but wouldn't mind spending more if you recommend it.

Thanks much and Happy Thanksgiving!
Nate
Click to expand...
i would talk to the police first, security cameras are great as evidence, but unless the police can catch the thief its a mute point. an odd question was the tool kit in plain view or any decals on the truck? decals detailing anything you keep in your truck at any time a big no-no. best i can tell you, lock things up. good neighborhoods are fine but not at the cost of personal security.
 
Bhugo

Bhugo

I feel for you.

A few years ago, we had a couple young guys that drove around all summer stealing tools. If they saw an open garage, they would scan it for expensive tools and one would run up and grab them and run back to the waiting car. If you caught them, they pretended to be selling magazines. I was in my garage when one ran up and when he saw me he pulled out an old magazine form. I ignored him and put my kid in the house, closed garage door, and then started to call 911. The whole time he was stammering on about magazine sales. He left, but they got caught a few hours later. My friend had a huge bag of new dewalt tools stolen from his garage earlier that week. It was a dewalt bag with a huge badge on it. They saw that badge. He heard a thump, but by the time he got to the garage they were gone.

They never "broke" into anything, but if it was open they helped themselves. That was the end of not locking my truck and closing my garage. Too bad. It's not a good feeling. They were operating in nice neighborhoods because that's where the nice tools and open garages were! Very bold.

Its not a good feeling. Good luck.
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Add a cheap motion detector and a flash or flood light - freaks out thieves.

FWIW, we had a rash of car break ins in my neighborhood, so I setup a GoPro from the eave of my house set to timelapse, and put a postit note on the inside of my truck window that read: Smile for the camera :)

It's more of a psychological deterrent than anything.
 
realdog4

realdog4

tetraodon said:
i would talk to the police first, security cameras are great as evidence, but unless the police can catch the thief its a mute point. an odd question was the tool kit in plain view or any decals on the truck? decals detailing anything you keep in your truck at any time a big no-no.
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point.

Decals promoting promoting hunting and guns or audio equipment make you a target.

Thieves don't really fear a bumper sticker that states "Insured by Smith and Wesson". They will stake out your car and home knowing you probably own a gun if not several.

They generally look for cash, guns, jewelry and prescription meds. These items are small and have high street value.

Tools are also very popular. A truck bed tool box and trailer hitches are a good tip off.

As for video, test it out. I have had many cases where the video was worthless and threw out the case. The best video are in casinos. They are better than banks. I loved prosecuting idiots who were caught on casino videos.

Food for thought.
 
Bhugo

Bhugo

Go West Young Man said:
Seems like a clunky solution in a world where Nest Cams and Ring Doorbells exist.
Click to expand...
The nest cam looks really nice. I don't think the ring is comparable.

The trail cam is meant to be used in the wild. It has its own power and needs no wifi or computer connection. Depending on the model of trail cam, you might get a better or worse range than the Nest. The Nest also requires power and such.

I might get a nest for my house. Pretty cool.
 
simon1

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
With a trail cam you don't have to run a bunch of wires through the attic and walls to go to the receiver. Just chain the trail cam up high in a tree or on a pole with a chain and cut resistant padlock. Kind of a trade off...you get better coverage and continuous recording with security cameras but trail cam would be good for times when you only need it for a short time. At least that's my thinking.
 
OkieStubble

OkieStubble

Dirty Donuts are so Good.
tetraodon said:
i would talk to the police first, security cameras are great as evidence, but unless the police can catch the thief its a mute point. an odd question was the tool kit in plain view or any decals on the truck? decals detailing anything you keep in your truck at any time a big no-no. best i can tell you, lock things up. good neighborhoods are fine but not at the cost of personal security.
Click to expand...

+1 I would personally instead, opt for a vehicle alarm and a motion light for the driveway for a visual and audible deterrent.
 
VerbaVolant

VerbaVolant

I wonder what would be the liability if the thief has a heart attack (on your property) caused by a loud alarm?:blink:

In England one could end up in jail for hurting a thief.
 
OkieStubble

OkieStubble

Dirty Donuts are so Good.
VerbaVolant said:
I wonder what would be the liability if the thief has a heart attack (on your property) caused by a loud alarm?:blink:

In England one could end up in jail for hurting a thief.
Click to expand...

One should always get a health screening from their doctor, before taking on a career in theft. ;)
 
realdog4

realdog4

VerbaVolant said:
I wonder what would be the liability if the thief has a heart attack (on your property) caused by a loud alarm?:blink:

In England one could end up in jail for hurting a thief.
Click to expand...

You can't set up spring guns or booby traps but I don't think noise will impute liability.
 
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