Any suggestions for additional safeguards to protect property from thefts?

Question

In our area unemployment is high....meth and oxycotin addiction is ramphant. We live in a rural area. The break ins are increasing as they are moving from the city to country homes to raid.
We have posted "No Tresspassing" signs, have 3 dogs that are on the property, lock up everything we can lock. We live so far out that an alarm system is pretty much useless because crimminals would know that they have plenty of time before the law would get here. All neighbors watch out for each other but can't do so every minute.
I won't post a sign like "This property protected by Smith & Wesson" because I feel that it will put a bigger target on the property.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Please, let's make this a civil Q/A. I am really not looking for d/a answers.
Thanks

Sorry everyone, I should had added some more specific info. We are armed, that's why I didn't want to post the Smith and Wesson sign. We obedience train all of our animals. We live on about 26 acres with a large road frontage. Fencing is cost prohibative at this time.
We have the Castle Doctrine in the State I live so protecting ourselves from home invasion inside or out isn't a problem.
Both my husband and I are licensed to carry a firearm. Both of our children shoot better than we do. At some point everyday the home is untended and that's why I asked for some ideas.
I will try the idea about the rose bushes around the house. I have cacti around my detached garage. I will also think about putting it around the house. We have cold winters where I live and they go dormant during that time.
Thanks

Answer 1

You don't need a monitored alarm to keep them out either. Just having contact points that sound alarms in the house will work to send the average intruder running. Those you can get for less than $20 for 4.

Answer 2

Since you are losing more and more everyday. Plus you are feeding the dogs and cleaning up after them. The alarms and other things that are costing you money.

I had the same problem once at a business. The police would be right in back of the building and by the time the alarm company called and then the officer got the call. They knew when to take off!!
Around my house, I had rose bushes under each window.
Catus work to. If they are homeless they want the easy way in and out and getting scratched up, won't be worth it to them.

Have you tried a electrical chain link fence with barb wire surrounding the house?
There are companies that will fully train your dogs....or maybe you need more dogs! I don't know how big your property is, but if they are geting pass your dogs, something is up????

When your pain is so bad and you are losing on a regular basis. You have to look at this realistically.
The only other 2 thing to do is to add on a room and have someone there 24/7.
And last but not least....you're going to have to move.

Good Luck. I feel your pain.....been there done that.

Answer 3

You could ask your local authorities for some kind of special permission to arm your guards and get a permission to shot shotguns with harmless bullets, also you could improve your surveying and alarm system and post a scarring sign, don't discard the possibility to use real bullets and bear a real weapon in case of. Any way the authorities have the responsibility to give you the protection you require, you have the right to ask that to them in a formal way. In my country we use to sorround the land or houses with electric fence.

Answer 4

Lots and lots of thorny bushes around your house, esp outside any windows. They really work. Who wants to get cut up getting into a house? You could try a very high fence around your house with a locked gate? But the thorn bushes work better. Roses, esp. climbing roses, are great for home defense.

Answer 5

Get an alarm, CCTV, and good locks all round outside security lighting put thorn type hedges all around your boarders, strong iron gates and iron bars on all your down stairs windows. yes its expensive, but all these things will put the burglar off.

Answer 6

Sounds like you are doig all u can do. Video tape all of your expensive items along with the serial numbers in case you do get looted, it's easier to get ur stuff back.