Keeping your gear secure at home (safes, cages, home security systems, etc)

[QuickHitRecord]

I've been following the saga of Eric Coughlin's stolen cameras and it's gotten me thinking about my own precautionary measures when it comes to storing expensive camera gear, beyond insurance. A truly crack team of thieves will be able to beat most rudimentary security measures. But I'm talking more about the more common sledgehammer/bolt-cutter thieves. There are so many dedicated options out there for guns, but not many for cameras. One challenge is that for most of us, our cameras have to be fairly accessible for shoots, charging batteries, backing up footage, repairs, rigging, etc.). It might not be realistic to assume that we will be breaking down our cameras and locking them in a safe at the end of each day. Also, what precautions (if any) do you take when moving your gear into your vehicle, especially if this happens in plain view of your neighbors? As always, I am curious to learn from other DVXers.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Security is a multi layered approach. Motion activated lights, a good security system, a dog, good equipment insurance, and a decent equipment cage in your basement, will all make the thieves job harder.

 

[Spartacus]

Security is a multi layered approach. Motion activated lights, a good security system, a dog, good equipment insurance, and a decent equipment cage in your basement, will all make the thieves job harder.

This. So this.

 

[JPNola]

Security is a multi layered approach. Motion activated lights, a good security system, a dog, good equipment insurance, and a decent equipment cage in your basement, will all make the thieves job harder.

What is a "basement"? ( joking. I live in New Orleans. )

 

[Eric Coughlin]

Security is a multi layered approach. Motion activated lights, a good security system, a dog, good equipment insurance, and a decent equipment cage in your basement, will all make the thieves job harder.

 

[Run&Gun]

Not publicly posting pictures of your gear, and other items, in your house is another good preventive measure. It’s like a sales flyer for criminals.

 

[David W. Jones]

Not publicly posting pictures of your gear, and other items, in your house is another good preventive measure. It’s like a sales flyer for criminals.

My flyer for criminals.... If you get past the alarm system you have a 160 pound Presa Canario waiting for you.
While he may be my lap dog, he knows to f-up anyone else.

 

[Guest]

Never leave the house. Gear will be pretty safe

 

[Run&Gun]

My flyer for criminals.... If you get past the alarm system you have a 160 pound Presa Canario waiting for you.
While he may be my lap dog, he knows to f-up anyone else.

I sometimes wonder what delivery people, etc. think when they come up to my house and hear my four going bonkers inside. Our black-lab mix sounds like an honest-to-goodness demon dog with his guttural growl. I love it and crack-up every time he does it, but he's mine. He's also got a radar in his head that the military would be proud of. He let's you know if anyone or anything is within a block of the house. It can be annoying sometimes, but there's not a whole lot of "sneaking-up" happening here.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

Good call on not posting pictures of gear at home.

Dogs seem like a popular option here. I like them myself, but can't deal with the fur.

Is anyone using a locking steel cabinet?

 

[bill totolo]

I sometimes wonder what delivery people, etc. think when they come up to my house and hear my four going bonkers inside. Our black-lab mix sounds like an honest-to-goodness demon dog with his guttural growl. I love it and crack-up every time he does it, but he's mine. He's also got a radar in his head that the military would be proud of. He let's you know if anyone or anything is within a block of the house. It can be annoying sometimes, but there's not a whole lot of "sneaking-up" happening here.

Same with my 7lb Chihuahua mix with 'radar' ears. Charlie hear's things way before the Ring Doorbell chimes in.



I guess it doesn't hurt that he's always set to "alert" status : )

 

[fboonzaier]

Discretion goes a long way where I live!...and never posting itineraries on social media when traveling....may seem obvious but thieves have been using FB for a long time now!

 

[puredrifting]

I vote for the dog option if that works out for you, dogs are something the average criminal doesn't want to hassle with. Safes and cages for any pro are just something that adds a few more minutes to the equation.
The best is just good insurance. All of this stuff is just stuff, even Eric's three Amiras. Fortunately selling a stolen Amira, there just isn't a huge market for that, so the chances of catching the perpetrator are pretty good.
The safe or cage is best. Locking steel cabinets usually have really weak inadequate lock systems on them, check them out at Costco or Home Depot sometime. With basic tools, I could get into one in about :60

 

[Publimix]

What I don't get is the USA habit that postmen to leave parcels at the front door. Here all parcels are given to the neighbors or taken back and delivered the next day.

However I like the youtube clips with bait parcel boxes filled with glitter or worse.

 

[Guest]

Insurance is the main thing, and then following procedurs that allow you to claim insurance... ie not leaving gear in the front seat of your unlocked car. But that is the obvious.

Discretion is a big.

Habits and routines help too.