Trail cams for security

[terracore]

Sounds like the cams will be futile,

I think they’re effective as a deterrent to the less desperate, less persistent thieves.  I now have signs, motion lights over the signs, and cameras.  Chains across the driveway.  But get bigger links than you think is necessary, mine have crimps from a bolt cutters someone used, unsuccessfully.  Since I went the extra mile I haven’t had anyone enter the yard, not sure if it’s the hardware, or if the thieves just moved on to uncharted territory.

Although not suited for a lot of people and properties for a lot of reasons, the best deterrent is dogs.  Not because thieves are necessarily afraid of getting bit (though many are), it's because dogs make a lot of NOISE.  In quiet conditions with the right terrain, a dog can hear somebody coming from 1/4 to 1/2 mile away.  They can also navigate well in almost complete darkness.  Thieves are like roaches.  They don't like to be exposed.  They don't like good lighting, and they don't like dogs giving their position away.  In some cultures, black and tan dogs are considered to be especially fear-invoking, especially if they have erect ears.  But any ankle biter with a Napoleon complex will chase away somebody who's plans included some amount of stealth.  

As far as locks go, hardened U-locks (also called D locks, they are used for securing bicycles) are good for gates if you can find one big enough.  They are too large for bolt cutters and the locks are difficult to pick.  They can be cut off with power tools, but power tools make noise and attract attention. They take some shopping around to find good ones because the trash they sell at Walmart etc look tough but have cheap plastic mechanisms inside.  When we had property up near Volcano thieves got through the neighbor's gate by ramming a vehicle (probably stolen) into it which pulled the posts out of the ground because they couldn't cut the bike lock off.  They cut right through the lock on our gate no problem but you know what.... we didn't have to replace a gate and gate post like the neighbors did.  In most cases it's not prudent to let the cost of security exceed the value of what's inside unless it's your castle.