Being secure at HOME assault

[WazOz]

Hi guys, never imagined I would be here asking this kind of advice, not like my trailer etc. This time I am after advice on Security systems and what you ppl use recommend etc, can you believe it Xmas night daughter and SIL left at 9.30pm, we were settling in and at 10pm a drunk thug came smashing on our screen door, breaking the handle and getting the door open, am a Christian and tried to calm the idiot down instead he went ballistic and I have concussion to boot, needless to say and thankfully I did a lot of Karate a while back, he is now facing court system, with a very sore groin and broken nose. Anyway the dumb cops were miffed we wanted to press charges, too much paperwork, and treated us badly because we wouldn't let it drop, this guy was drunk, guess what time the breathalysed him? 2.45a.m, plenty of time to sober up. Want an alarm system DIY not monitored, waste of time calling cops, all over by the time anyone got here, we need to be able to live in safety. House has so many blind spots, CCTV? and siren, something that when we hit the sack if anyone prowls around the house we will know they are there. Got a great Gurad dog too, little Jack Russell, she was guarding the carpet under the bed when it all happened.Any advice will be appreciated if anyone has any that is, cheers and all the best for 2009

[Gra]

Sorry to hear the news, the cheapest thing I can suggest is get a bigger dog. Large growling dog scares even the biggest idiot

[masoth]

I once planned on turning my home into "Fort Knox" and researched up-market, state of the art security systems available in my area. Not only the installation costs but the ongoing fees caused a change of mind. I have installed a flood light turned on by movement sensors, but this too is something of a nuisance on windy nights as the garden vegetation movement keeps activating the swiitch. Much the same results are achieved with movement sensor driven video cameras.
Locks and other security devices deter only the honest persons and the criminals tend to think they will get away with whatever they do.
You operating an alarm will attract neighbours but once a false activation occurs the locals will tend to ignore these. How many times have you reacted to a neighbours smoke alarm - I haven't.
I agree with the suggestion of an unfriendly large, well trained, dog faithful to you only.
Not a perfect answer but at least you will feel more secure.

soth

[Batpig]

Dear Waz,

It might not be such a bad thing that they took their time breathalyzing him, because a high reading might have allowed his Free Legal-Aid Piece-of-Garbage Solicitor to plead some mongrel defence for him along the lines of "temporarily not in full control of his faculties due to alcohol consumption" and "he just wanted to make friends in the true Christmas spirit with whoever was inside the house, your Honour." The lower the reading, the less his plausible recourse to such fabrications...

'Twas a good thing that you've insisted on pressing charges, otherwise the Maggot might have a better leg to stand on in turning around and pressing them on you for "assault occasioning bodily harm". You've got nothing to worry about now, but it will still be interesting to see if the Department of Public Prosecutions goes through with it. Fingers crossed for you...

Can't offer much in the way of advice, except to go to the Jaycar website (www.jaycar.com.au) for alarm and surveillance gear, and replace the damaged Screen Door with a fully-welded aluminium unit so that the next R'shole wont be able to kick the lock off.

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

[Toolin Around]

Got a great Gurad dog too, little Jack Russell, she was guarding the carpet under the bed when it all happened.

Sorry to here you had a monkey visit you. But that last line was the funniest thing I've heard ina long time. This the sort aussie humour that I have missed on this board.

Security systems will work for those that are trying to break in but not for monkeys like the one you described... Definitely a large german sheppard will go a long way to deter monkeys but they also come at a cost to you in that you are restricted to where you can live. How long you can go away on trips. And the dogs needs to be treated right also in that you have to take it for walks religiously... If I thought I was at a point where I would be sinking deep roots I would get at least one - I think they're the best.

I have a 6 battery mag light with a lanyard for my wrist. So if I'm questioned, all I say is I was using to see where I was going when this idiot attacked me.... It's a good one in that even in day light if you shine it in someones eyes it will blind them enough to give you a good advantage. I hold it so it rests on my shoulder with my arm chocked for a dowward chopping action. I open up a rec center very early in the morning when it's still dark and often take it with me cause we have vandals all the time. If I encounter anyone the first thing I do is take away their night vision by shining it in their eyes. You have to be very agressive yourself in that don't take the beam away from their eyes for any reason otherwise you loose the advantage nomatter how much they protest. If they continue to act like monkeys the next step is to step into it and bring the butt of the flash light down as hard as I can on their right shoulder shattering the collar bone and ultimately collapsing their shoulder. Hopefully if it's hard enough I'll tear most of the ligaments off the shoulder blade also. I don't know if you've ever had a dislocated shoulder but that usually stops anyone in their tracks so a shatterd shoulder should pretty much do the same thing even if they're .

Have had to shine it in a few eyes but haven't had to go to plan B yet. I think the fact that the monkeys can't see at all and have no idea what's coming next makes them think twice about making anything of it. They usually back off with hands out hoping not to get hit. The one thing that deters even a monkey is the realization that this is going to cost them dearly. For some reason it's the only thing they understand.

I've made my wife learn it also just in case something like what's happened to you happens to her. Only diff is I've told her to use two hands and aim straight for the middle of the head.

No mercy for these monkeys.

[dazzler]

Hi Waz

You did good!. Well Done!

I wouldnt let something like this turn your house into a security zone. Put some sensor lights up so the place is lit up if someone comes near and maybe some window locks. Dont forget you are far far far more likely to be injured or killed by someone you know so locks wont save you sadly.

Sounds like this clown was drunk and aggro and you were just randomly unlucky. Im surprised the cops breath tested him (unless he was driving) as it gives him the defence of intoxication - that is he was too intoxicated to know what he was doing in which case he cant form intent so he cant be found guilty of the assault. This may have been the reason they didnt want to charge him, if he was so intoxicated that he didnt know what he was doing - or they could just have been lazy slobs .

Dont forget you can claim damages for repairs. Just get 3 quotes and send them to him with an letter stating you will proceed through the small claims court if he doesnt pay. The cops should also seek damages which should be in the statement of facts they tendered to the court, if not check with them. What will happen is stupid will turn up to court, plead guilty hopefully, magistrate will fine him and then award damages.

Good luck!

[AlexS]

....he is now facing court system, with a very sore groin and broken nose.

[WazOz]

many thanks ppl for the responses, have got sensor lights coming, just put one in the carport double spotlight that plugs into the existing light socket. Have had large dogs before (sons) Blue Heelers male and female, were both poisoned a cpl of yrs ago, so they could try and grab the pups, guess they didn't want to pay for them.
The monkey, thought about it for a while, and monkey describes him well, as I am sure he is desended from a Gorilla, not that I believe in Evolution but this guy, well maybe, he was driving, cope just too damned lazy, if it happens again, won't open the door, let him/them come in, and greet them most kindly with extreme prejudice, son also knows how to defend himself. Why I was thinking of an alrm is, these brain dead morons get most upset when someone actually hurts their pride by defending themselves, what right did I have in hurting the poor diddums, anyway we are waiting for reprisals, hear about it all the time, you beat a bad guy and they come back with reinforcements, if that does happen, then at least I am prepared, sad at how it affects your faith in humanity, least of all the cops. Will consider a dog, someting like Cujo or the Hound from the Baskervilles, alas large doings everywhere, holes, sheesh, just get my Sister In Law here she would scare the most hardened crim.
Once again thanks
Waz

[Poppa]

Good on you Waz, glad to hear you got the best of it, and I hope they convict him and teach him a lesson. You've already taken a huge step in being able to defend yourself and your property by being capable of defending yourself. The big torch idea is a good one too... Lots of sensor lights and a good strong security door and bars on the windows. In a built up city area these precautions are essential in my opinion...

[WazOz]

Thanks Poppa, yes the Torch will be a purchase ASAP, forgot to acknowledge that response. . Have no delusions of our system, he will get a warning, small fine, and free to get drunk and do it again to someone else, like an old cpl that can't look after themselves, which will be good for his self esteem. How many times do we read where someone gets off lightly because they are social misfits, and are victims of society and we should look after them, after all we forced these types to become drunks and violent, this guy looked like a Biker, big, beard and angry, hang on thats my sister inlaw again, guess by now you know I don't like my SIL.
Cheers
Waz

[Ashore]

Glad you had a good end with only minimal damage to yourself.
With the torch get some clips with it and keep adjacent to the door but not right at the door, front and rear, if you use a bat its a weapon but a torch ? and lie through your teeth when the cops come cause the bad guys will ,

[bsrlee]

1: Screen Door - get a 'good' one with multiple locking points - they usually have 3 moving tongues on the opening side & 3 fixed on the hinge side that lock into the frame top, middle & bottom - this stops them jemmying out the top or bottom corner. You should also get a metal door frame/surround installed that bolts/screws to the building frame/brickwork. A 'good' security or locksmith should be able to supply & fit these.

2: Maglite or similar. You may find a 'C' cell torch easier to hang onto than a 'D' cell torch, unless you have enormous hands. No good giving the tosser something to clout you with or having it fly off into the dark. When you get it, carefully wrap the batteries into a long cylinder with paper & stickytape so that the assembly will -just- slide into the torch.

Firstly, it makes the torch quieter when carried, and secondly if you clout 'something' the torch won't bend in the middle into a banana shape - yes they do that when you clout someone hard, as several security guards in Sydney have found out over the years. In one case you could count every battery cell by the dents in the case, but the target just ran off without apparent ill effect after being hit over the head. And if fronting the local magistrate after creaming someone you can always point out the pristine condition of the torch - 'I just fended him off, I didn't hit him hard sir' - just ask the cops to produce some damaged torches & aluminium batons as 'exhibits'.

Don't take a head shot; knees, elbows, wrist and lower arm, shins are the preferred areas, hurt heaps & you can generally walk faster than they can hobble after a knee shot.

[masoth]

"Don't take a head shot; knees, elbows, wrist and lower arm, shins are the preferred areas, hurt heaps & you can generally walk faster than they can hobble after a knee shot."

Good advice, and add to the list the shoulder. Collar bones are relatively brittle.

soth

[tea lady]

Dog suggestion. A ducshund. Not a miniature, a full size one. Short but sounds big.

[Lignin]

If you've got the room, GEESE.They make a hell of a row, and I've yet to meet a timid one.They'll terrorise the Jack Russell ,and,
You could also sool them onto your S-I-L!!!