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I don't think putting a lock on your garage is going to attract someone to it because it is the only garage with a lock. I would think if someone wanted to steal from a garage, and there were 19 unlocked and 1 locked that that they would go for the 19 easy targets before trying the one with the lock.
Exactly, criminals will pick the easier target that requires less time and chance of being seen and/or caught than messing with a lock. Many crimes are ones of opportunity, why make it easy?
Who cares what the neighbors do? It's your garage and your stuff. Lock it if you want. Don't lock it if you don't want. An unlocked garage is far easier to break into that a locked one!
Our neighbor didn't lock his garage or fence and his garage was burglarized. We lock up everything here even though we live in a very safe area. I'm sure ours would have been hit had we not had everything locked up. They just went for the easy pickings. It doesn't matter how safe an area you live in. There will always be thefts. We actually have a dead bolt and regular door knob with a one key that fits both on our two gates. The gates have steel fence posts. It's overkill for here but I love how easy it is to lock up when I take the dogs for our midnight walkies.
The house I'm renting now has a garage with two doors that swing outwards, with a space to place a padlock. The front of the garage faces the street. There are no reported thefts as far as I know, everyone leaves their garage without a lock. I bought a large Brinks commercial padlock but after placing it I feel that it is actually less of a deterrent if someone walking down the street sees that the garage is the only one with the lock on the whole block.
I have snow removal equipment and a space heater in there and it would be inconvenient to store them within the house. Everyone on the block works during the day. I'm faced with three options.
Leave the garage unsecured
Secure it with a padlock
Go up another level and post signage, motion detecting lights, and a cheap surveillance camera
Right now I'm thinking of taking a gamble and leaving the garage unsecured, but I could be swayed otherwise with compelling evidence or an anecdotal story.
EDIT: The garage is detached.
Why go to all the expense when your option would be a padlocks is much cheaper. Most insurance companies aren't keen on paying out on a loss when you don't secure your property of any kind and something gets stolen. Kind of like parking your car outside leaving it unlocked and keys laying on the seat with your wallet!!
If it bothers you that what you own might get stolen, lock it.
If you don't care, leave it unlocked.
It only takes one time for it to happen to see if you have any regrets.
And don't care what the neighbors may think, I personally know that they won't buy a new one for you once it's gone.
I can almost hear them now, "If it meant so much to you, why didn't you lock it up ?"
My parents place had been burglarized once before; not a fun thing to go through. So...if I got stuff in there that's valuable to me, I'd lock it up just for my peace of mind.
Ultimately it's up to you, though I'd personally put zero stock on what the neighbors are or aren't doing.
What will the insurance company say ?
If it's not locked there is no "break" and entry.
An expensive lock says what's in there is worth the effort.
If the hasp is no more substantial than the lock , whats the point ?
Motion sensor lights are a good deterrent , I have them all around the place , more for my own convenience than any thing else.
A simple camera system can also be a good deterrent .
My brother is in an area that usually has no problems, but having the cameras paid off when some thieves were jumping feces and the cops were on the chase.
With a steady influx of illegals eventually the need will justify the investment.
the times are changing.
The insurance aspect makes a good case for keeping the padlock, I will keep an eye out for a less conspicuous one, if nothing else to maintain the illusion of security because we all know a determined thief would find a way.
Just for a little fun, I ordered one of those cheeky signs that say something along the lines of "DANGER: 24 hour video and audio surveillance monitored live on the web recorded off premises" to place INSIDE the garage. I may also get the local kids into telecommunications to build an intimidating looking antenna for the inside. So if a thief does break the lock and go inside the garage, the signage and antenna might deter them from progressing further.
The insurance aspect makes a good case for keeping the padlock, I will keep an eye out for a less conspicuous one, if nothing else to maintain the illusion of security because we all know a determined thief would find a way.
Just for a little fun, I ordered one of those cheeky signs that say something along the lines of "DANGER: 24 hour video and audio surveillance monitored live on the web recorded off premises" to place INSIDE the garage. I may also get the local kids into telecommunications to build an intimidating looking antenna for the inside. So if a thief does break the lock and go inside the garage, the signage and antenna might deter them from progressing further.
Don't waste your time. Even real video doesn't stop people from robbing, burglarizing, shooting, raping, etc., so your fake deal won't do much either. How many videos are there on youtube of people stealing stuff? It's not like the cameras were hidden from view, in most cases.
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