Thieves!

[seekir]

I came home about a year ago to find a dissapointing disaster area of scattered possessions and several smaller items stolen. Some of considerable dollar or sentimental value. I had installed a "double-cylinder" deadbolt in the glass entry doors a month previously when someone (the same person?) broke into an outbuilding. The new deadbolt requires a key on both sides and the intruder would've needed to noisily break through the exposed glass front door, so he could only remove items he was willing to take back out the window or risk being seen/heard breaking through the front door. I suspect it was a kid on foot, and this may have been part of the reason that only small items were taken.

I bought a Radioshack motion detector alarm subsequently for a little over $100.00. It also has wireless sensors that can be installed in doors and windows. The unit calls me on my cell when it detects motion. The motion sensor was triggered in one false alarm when I mistakenly had it set to detect only one motion. No false alarms yet since I reset it for two detections. It's cheap but has the drawback that alarm calls require you to dash home or call police or a helpful neighbor who hopefully won't be endangered. The hassle of installing (minimal), setting, disarming, and maintaining the system with its battery backup and sensors is a drag, but not insurmountable. Housebound pets can trigger the interior motion sensor.