Myth of the Burglar-Proof Cabin

Date: 2003-01-07 09:53:23 PST

> A few technical questions for the newsgroup(s):
>
> 1) Has anyone had the experience of successfully using a satellite
> phone in a rural/backwoods emergency? It seems they are built for
> just this type of situation. Alternatively, do most rural sheriff
> stations monitor an emergency CB channel?

The satellite phones are still prohibitively expensive. Except
in the very few areas not served by a telephone carrier, paying
for ordinary telephone service is the best bet.

In areas without telephone service, the best thing is to get a
cellular phone designed for permanent installation (Telular or
similar) with, if needed, a directional antenna. Cell phone
dealers in extremely rural areas can usually help with such
arrangements.

> 2) Aren't there special construction techniques that would make it
> very difficult for burglars to get into a remote unoccupied
> vacation cabin?

The remote house or cabin that is often unoccupied is all
but impossible to secure. Year-round neighbors within
earshot are the best deterrent. Having a driveway that
goes past a neighbor's house on the way to the road
helps considerably.

I have several friends with remotely located cabins. Only
two have not (so far) been burglarized. One is a geodesic dome
with only a couple windows and only one door (very solid
and made of wood). The other is accessible only by boat.

The occasional burglary, unfortunately, is something that
cabin owners have to be prepared to live with. It helps
a lot to avoid leaving guns, electronics, other valuables, and
(especially) alcoholic beverages behind. It is also wise to
avoid keeping around anything that is useful to vandals,
like dry chemical fire extinguishers (which can make a
terrible mess), paint, and the like.

Many cabin owners have a heavily-walled closet, gun
safe, heavy chest, or other more secure location inside
the cabin where they store items that they think may be
of interest to theives. This helps considerably since
most aren't very determined, and since they do not
want to spend much time inside once they break the
door down, especially if the chest or whatever is located
somewhere such that they can't see outside and don't
have a good escape route (basement).

> For example, what about putting steel fixtures on either side of a
> window that would allow the homeowner to secure heavy steel plating
> or bars across the inside of the windows? Not nice for daily living,
> but perhaps OK if you are gone for 6 months at a time.

They almost always enter through the door. Either they
find the key that 90% of cabin owners hide somewhere
within 50 feet of the door, or they break the door down
with a heavy crowbar or sledgehammer.

> For a shed that has thousands of dollars worth of tools, implements,
> etc., wouldn't it be best to use brick and steel construction to
> deter casual burglars? People don't "kick in" a steel door, right?

It takes more time and determination but steel doors can
generally be pried far enough away from the doorframe to
be opened, even without power tools.

Insurance, as a rule, is cheaper and more effective. In real
battle zones it would make more sense to use one of those
heavy steel lockers that highway construction crews (among
others) store their tools in. They are too heavy to lift without
a loader or hoist, and strong enough to hold back any prying
or pounding attacks.

> 3) Does anyone have any good stories about catching trespassing
> vehicles in a "tank trap" --- one of those concealed ditches with a
> 5-foot drop?? I think that would be the cheapest and funniest
> "solution" of all---as long as you remember not to drive your own
> vehicle into it. ;-)

It is my experience that most burglars do not approach a vacant
cabin with a car or truck.

They generally approach on foot or with a snowmobile, an ATV,
or a dirt bike. They are afraid of getting caught and it is easier to
ditch the goods from these other modes of transport (In reality
they usually get caught when they try to fence the stolen goods,
not when they are stealing them). And many of them lack cars
or driver's licenses owing to youth or a history of substance abuse.
They are also cognizant of the usefulness of tire tracks as evidence.

Louis

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