Vehicle security thoughts

[afewmoreyears]

After reading about the stolen Sound van in Georgia I figured I would share some thoughts...

 

 

 If you are going to drive a sound vehicle, leave gear in it, store gear in it, leave it in crew parking lots, driveways, city streets etc., you better think this through. All you can do is all you can do.

 

 

* Start with a safe vehicle... I personally prefer a Cargo van with no windows but the rear and drivers and passenger.

* Use a security partition

*Get some SLIK LOCKS

* Limit the number of windows...and have them tinted if possible. Use security screens on those windows if possible as well

* Get a good alarm

* Cover your gear if in sight with dark cloth or blanket

* Use a brake pedal CLUB

*Use a steering wheel CLUB

*Use signage for fictitious company selling used diapers... or whatever else you come up with.

*Park in areas within sight of humans.. Even in lots, choose your spot wisely..

*Refuse to park in UNGUARDED crew lots with gear. Demand location parking... Don't back down, it's your gear, your profession and your income stream. Protect it.

* TRY to store gear vehicle in locked garage...  While home I would never allow my vehicle to be stored on the street. If a vehicle will not FIT in my garage, it won't be my vehicle.

 

I employ ALL of these things to do all I can to prevent loss of my vehicle and gear...

Again, all these things may not be possible for all, I get that, but, do all you can... Do NOT underestimate the value of the Steering wheel and brake pedal locks. All you are trying to do is deter... If the thief thinks the vehicle is a hassle, they will move on. Two locks like that WILL deter... certainly better than none.

 

Good luck.

 

 

[Jack Norflus]

I have a locked steal cage built into the back of my Honda Pilot.

[Eric Toline]

I have a locked steal cage built into the back of my Honda Pilot.

Really? It's a cage ready to steal made out of steel?

[Shastapete]

A steal cage is the decoy filled with Jack's zoom and Azden gear, his steel cage is in a much safer place with his real gear

[studiomprd]

AFMY has some great tips, to which I will add: LoJack or On-Star !! (both even!)  this will also get you a bit off on your insurance.

 

BTW: I have some "caution nuclear material" signs on mine.

Edited September 26, 2014 by studiomprd

[old school]

I'm with Years. I don't do everything the same but I take it seriously.

CrewC

[afewmoreyears]

I do understand not everyone has the option of a garage... or the option of a vehicle that will fit in one... Behind locked gates is good...  or, employ all the things you can if forced to park on the street or in the driveway... Placing another car in front of your work vehicle in a driveway is really helpful if possible..  thieves seldom want to break in to two vehicles...  Again, all you can do is all you can do.. but, do everything you can and never get lazy when lying on the sofa late at night thinking... "Ahhh, I'll be alright tonight, I don't have to go out and put on the locks"...  Don't know about you, but that's the night you will get hit.

[Jim Feeley]

A steal cage is the decoy filled with Jack's zoom and Azden gear, his steel cage is in a much safer place with his real gear

 

:-)

[LarryF]

A steal cage is the decoy filled with Jack's zoom and Azden gear, his steel cage is in a much safer place with his real gear

Excellent!

LEF

[Jack Norflus]

My "steel" cage - so people don't "steal " my crap.

[geordi]

Does the outside say "free candy" in badly painted spray paint? 

 

That is a creepy looking box Jack.

[Jack Norflus]

No but I drive around dressed like a clown.

[David Waelder]

Some years ago, after a loss of course, I built a car alarm into an Anvil briefcase. It had a motion sensor and could run off a rechargeable 12-volt battery. If anyone moved or picked up the case, it would send a beep alarm to a pager-like receiver that I would have on my belt. The idea was to leave the alarm case in a steal-me-first position with the other cases. I can't say that it ever saved me but I did go about my business with a bit less anxiety. One of the drawbacks was that the range was a bit limited but newer versions of car alarms are probably better just as radio mikes are now much improved.

 

There is a product from Anvil that addresses the issue of range much more effectively. The Case Tracker system uses GPS to provide constant location data.

 

http://www.anvilcase.com/applications/anvil-case-tracker/

 

This looks expensive and I would guess that there may be an ongoing monitor charge for the service. But, then, losing a whole bunch of gear is also expensive. LoJack on the car would accomplish much of the same service but that only tells you where the vehicle is; this would tell you where the equipment cases were.

 

David

[RPSharman]

When I had my trailer, it was either in my garage, inside my individually alarmed storage unit, or on set. I never stopped off for a bite after work unless I could see the trailer from the table.

Here in the UK is much the same. The van doesn't fit in my garage, but I back it up to the garage so rear doors and garage cannot be accessed. I have alarm with immobilizer and a wheel lock so the van can't be rolled forward. Doors have deadlocks and no windows. I'm on a dead end single track lane, between a plumber and a tree trimmer, with vans full of stuff I'm sure they're more likely after. Good security on the lane.

If the van is not on set, it's home with lots of security. And gear and van are insured individually, with insurance company fully aware of where all my bits of gear are.

I sleep well at night.

Protecting your gear is just good business.

[Mungo]

We do park our closed vans' back a few centimeters to a wall, or if there is no wall, a lamp post, tree etc. and lock the brake. So it's at least physically impossible to open the back door ... 

[Don Zenz]

Lojack has an early warning system that (in theory) immediately alerts you if your vehicle is moved without the requisite dongle you keep on your keychain. Knowing ASAP your trackable vehicle is on the move can improve the chances of recovery with gear intact. Might lower your insurance rates as well.