Setting up surveillence?

[Rush]

So I came home tonight to the very unpleasant surprise of having toilet paper strewn all over my MSP, along with crap written in that soap-on stuff that's annoying to remove.

Why? Basically, it's because of a neighbor who happens to be a friend, and who himself happens to vicariously 'irritate' these girls that are in high school. To make a long story short, he's been having neighbor wars with the older woman next door to him, and now said woman is getting her grandchildren involved, and now those grandchildren are taking everything out on people that have absolutely nothing to do with the situation.

In any event, I'd like to set up some kind of surveillence video on my MSP, in case these dumbass teens come back to try again. I'm afraid I don't know much about setting up 'long-term' shots via digital camera, so any help you can offer will be most appreciated!

 

[Diehonda]

Seems a multiple camera setup that alternates cameras every so many seconds would work. If you have any windows on your house that face the driveway this would help for elevated mounting points.

There are sets out there like this. I am sure someone on here will be able to give you more specific/brand information.

Also, take pictures when you find it and then check your paint once you have more light. You may want to start collecting police reports.

 

[gone_fishin]

Radioshack has surveillance cameras and equipment, at an affordable price. Finding knowledgeable techs at radioshack is really a crap shoot. At some locations, they really know their stuff; others, not so much. Hopefully at the location you go to, there will be an honest employee who can tell you what you need. Internet research always does wonders too.

Forgot to add, you may look into upgrading your alarm system to one with better shock sensors, or better yet, external motion sensors. If you don't want to dish out the cash, you can always have the sensitivity of your existing shock sensors adjusted. But of course, expect many false alarms.

 

[Rush]

Our front bedroom is actually a perfect location for two cameras -- we have two windows that look directly down into our driveway. So I was thinking I could use them, and maybe even pop a camera into the kitchen window as well. That's on ground level, but at least it's an alternate view.

And yeah, I think upgrading the alarm would be even better .. Chances are pretty good that if the car had started going bonkers as soon as they touched it, the kids wouldn't have even bothered -- they would've gotten freaked out and ran.

I'm definitely gonna start doing research on both. Thanks for the help so far!

 

[RacerXGirl]

Rush - did you happen to call the cops to let them know? Wouldn't hurt to have it on record, especially if there's subtle paint damage that you don't see right now.

And did you have a dream the other night about teen girls effing with the Speed?

 

[Rush]

Rush - did you happen to call the cops to let them know? Wouldn't hurt to have it on record, especially if there's subtle paint damage that you don't see right now.

And did you have a dream the other night about teen girls effing with the Speed?

The only place that they doodled on the car was on the windows, thank God. Had it been the paint, my response would have been a million times worse -- and it was bad enough last night. Trust me. I've never actually leaned on someone's doorbell for two minutes solid before.

But you're right, I did! Tho' that dream was about them messing with my hood .. Still, eerie. Maybe I'm psychic and should get my own show on TV that'll be canceled in half a season.

 

[genericuser]

Get a car cover for the MSP. That may be cheaper.

 

[Rush]

Get a car cover for the MSP. That may be cheaper.

Stop pointing out all the obvious answers to every question I have ........ j00 smrt pers0n!

But not to be stupid, but where does one buy a car cover? I've never had one before. That's actually a perfect idea for the time of year -- no frost and later, no snow!

 

[43975]

Pepboys has them, Mazda dealer sells them as well but for $$$ make sure to get an all weather cover. If not it'll get wet and fck up the paint. I'm planning on getting a locking winter cover for mine. I live downtown Chicago so my car is parked on the street. The plan is cover it when it snows then just pull the cover off with snow and all. so I don't scratch the paint with the ice scraper.

 

[Rush]

Is it safe to buy a car cover off of Ebay? I've found a couple already that're priced around $25 (but of course, another $15 or so for shipping) .. They're water resistant, let the moisture that might gather beneath the cover evaporate, and one has the lock feature along the bottom, which would be nice.

I just dunno if Ebay is an okay place to be picking one of them up.

 

[Sierra117]

Well, I'm not sure about the rules in PA, but here in Texas, if they come on to your property, you have the right to shoot them...

Of course that would be a bit extreme. Well, not really (IMHO), but I doubt the American public would take your side on that (I would).

Be careful with a car cover, though, I've heard nasty stories about them messing up paint and such. I'd really go ahead and get a security camera and maybe some motion sensing floodlights. The lights will scare most people away once they realize they can't hide in the dark. And the camera would be good to get them on tape, so if they do it again you can press charges. It may seem somewhat extreme, but if they screw up your car, I would definitely take it to a lawyer. Its one thing for some kids to wrap a house, where it would take maybe an hour or such to clean up. But if they vandalize your car, that can start getting real expensive.

Or, if you don't feel like shooting them, but want to sink down to their level, I can give you some good pranks...

 

[Rush]

Motion-sensitive lights would be awesome .. but we're renting, so I don't really think having something like that installed is an option. Unfortunately.

I would absolutely LOVE to shoot them. Even better, I'd love to have a pack of rabid dogs hidden in an underground tunnel that're released whenever somebody touches my car. That'd be fantastic.

I'll have to talk to B when he gets home about getting the cameras. If he'd been here last night and had his car been victimized too, I have no doubt we'd have already made a trip to pick up some electronics and would be working on installing them right now.

 

[sanblaster]

Rush I bought a cover for my car at a pepboys. It was a while ago but I think I paid 40-50 bucks?

Sucks when people disrespect your property.

 

[Rush]

I'm just particularly furious because I had NOTHING to do with the situation. I don't even KNOW that older woman that my friend's been fighting with, nevermind her grandchildren, so why in the hell would they drag me into the mess?

 

[Sierra117]

Some people are just sucky like that.

 

[slayer4u]

If you do decide to shoot them make sure you take a threaded rod and and scrape up the inside of the barrel. that way they won't be able to link the slugs to your gun.

But seriously , a good car cover will cost about $80-150. make sure it's mildew resistant, waterproof and most high end covers have a fleece lining to risit scratches and to prevent frost. I've had cheap vinyl covers stick to my car cause of frost. Oh and make sure you get one that has an elastic cord at the bottom so that it tucks under the car. this is a must.

 

[LilZoom]

I'm just particularly furious because I had NOTHING to do with the situation. I don't even KNOW that older woman that my friend's been fighting with, nevermind her grandchildren, so why in the hell would they drag me into the mess?

I am guessing you said something to her about it, what did she have to say for herself and her grandchildren ? She is pretty much telling them it is ok to completely disrespect other peoples property as a way of pay back ?

Sorry to hear about it, hope it all works out.

 

[genericuser]

no frost and later, no snow!

(yes)

I've set the wheels in motion here

I plan on getting one when I trade the tacoma in for a p5.

 

[Rush]

I am guessing you said something to her about it, what did she have to say for herself and her grandchildren ? She is pretty much telling them it is ok to completely disrespect other peoples property as a way of pay back ?

She denied knowing anything about it -- but you could hear in her voice that she wasn't telling the truth. I just don't think she expected an enraged girl to be beating her door down at 2:30am, which is exactly what I did. And even though she denied it, I made it quite clear to her that if anything of mine is touched again, I'll be calling the police.

 

[Sierra117]

Actually, you don't even really need to shoot them. Just get a Crimson Trace grip, or hell, any cheap laser pen, and next time you think they are gonna do something, stay up and mark 'em with it. That usually scares the s*** out of people. And what are they gonna do? Go complain to the cops, lol.

I was vandalizing this person's car and the shined a laser at me...