A chain or gate on one's driveway could possibly do much to deter thieves from entering the property and loading up a vehicle with stolen goods.
In other threads there has been some discussion to this effect; if I remember well enough to summarize correctly, the gist of the discussions has been:
-having a chain which is securely anchored and padlocked across a driveway is better than nothing,
-having a securely anchored and locked gate is better than having a padlocked chain,
-having a securely anchored gate which does not just lift out of its hinge-sockets (or which has easily removable hinge-pins) is better than a gate which is quickly defeated by these methods,
-having a chain or gate which is only in the up or closed (locked) position when one is away from home simply advertises one's absence from the property when it is observed to be in locked position, so it was recommended to keep a chain or gate in locked position at all times when not actually passing through.
There was some doubt about whether a gate could stop a big truck from butting though. As it turns out, there actually are gates which will stop a heavy vehicle from casually butting its way through even if the driver is willing to risk the damage and noise involved, but such gates are fairly massive and expensive. It may be, though, that the time, noise and fuss involved with attempting to get past even a relatively flimsy gate if it is closed and secured with stout chains and padlocks would be enough to discourage casual opportunist thieves intending to drive in and load up a vehicle.
If one was really intent on making every possible effort toward preventing unauthorized vehicles from successfully entering the property then there are devices such as caltrops (
http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/1032...p_CIA.html or
http://www.defensedevices.com/caltrops.html) and tire deflation spike strips (
http://www.securityprousa.com/roadspikes.html or
http://www.ilfireandpoliceequip.com/stin...system.htm or
http://www.stoptechltd.com/stopstick.html#video) one could deploy on a long driveway while exiting and then resecure upon re-entering the property, but this measure seems as if it could become problematic in several different ways. Still, as a way to prevent (or, at least, greatly delay and hamper) thieves from effectively entering or fleeing before law enforcement have time to arrive and take them into official custody, such tools could become useful.
Likewise, if the Neighborhood Watch sees a house being stripped, the furnishings & fixtures being quickly thrown into a moving van or truck, then telephoning everyone nearby and all available neighbors gathering and parking their cars in a blockade across the driveway of the house being so looted should effectively prevent the thieves from escaping with plundered items until law enforcement arrives. Of course, technically one could be issued a citation for blocking a driveway....
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"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
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