Changer Theft/Vandalism

[Bryce]

Illinois - Just purchased my first mat in October of 2008. One week after I purchased, thieves broke in after hours and used torches on the two changers, totally destroying them. had not installed the securtiy camera yet as old owner did not have them. They got away with about 3K.

[mike]

Ouch,

What kind of locale are you in !

These guy(s) used cutting torches, and no bystanders noticed ?

Deserted area at night ?

I'm sure they cased beforehand, and if they had seen cameras,

would just have worn masks, they were not too concerned about being seen.

One week after buying......coincidence ?

[Ronald]

5 mats got hit in my area in Oct.

[mike]

Bryce, is your mat open 24hrs.

or did they break-in ?

[Suds]

Bummer. Sorry to hear about your changer. This is one of several reasons that I pull my money every night. Other reasons track machine use, busy days, more face-time with cutomers etc...

I hope the culprits get caught.

[Bryce]

I am in a fairly good neighborhood, I very busy street at all hours, Opens from 5 to Midnight. Doors are on automatic timers. Police think that they may have propped a door open before closing and brought the torches in after hours through the back. Police cannot believe that no one saw of called and the changers were clearly visable from the parking lot and street. They were suprised no one saw the bright sparks.

Have since purchased and installed securtiy system and new Standard Changer.

[frank]

Someone tried to break into the back room of my store over the weekend. Same situation...unattended and prior owner did not have a security system. I bought a used one (VCR style with 4 cameras) but have been waiting on someone to install it. What systems are best in your opinion for a small store? Same situation in that doors lock at night, but can be propped open. Is there a system for $500 or less than employs motion detectors and an alarm? Thank you.

[pete f]

Someone tried to break into the back room of my store over the weekend. Same situation...unattended and prior owner did not have a security system. I bought a used one (VCR style with 4 cameras) but have been waiting on someone to install it. What systems are best in your opinion for a small store? Same situation in that doors lock at night, but can be propped open. Is there a system for $500 or less than employs motion detectors and an alarm? Thank you.

Are you saying your store security is only worth $500? I spend more than that on a couple cams. You are not paying employees, so use that extra money to secure the store proper. If you are really trying to save money you can buy cheap motion dectect lights from home depot and wire it to a timer, then get a 110v sirein/light and wire that in place of a bulb( use a socket screw in plug). If some one gets in it goes off.

[keith carter]

Illinois - Just purchased my first mat in October of 2008. One week after I purchased, thieves broke in after hours and used torches on the two changers, totally destroying them. had not installed the securtiy camera yet as old owner did not have them. They got away with about 3K.

I got a 4 cam system easy to s/up $699 tandy BUT I got 4 xtra micro infra red camera,s from ebay for $20.00 incl post it now runs 24hrs thieves are smart IM smarter hide cams in false pwr/points NOBODY knows I got video cams. My security guys open at 4.30am and lockup at 9pm. Before I was knocked off 3 x in three months nil in the past 12 months Police got the thieves tho But STILL waiting for my cash back.

[mjwalsh]

I think I have posted something similar before --- hands down the best way to fix this is to have an alert to some cell phones with someone always on call for the message when an alarm is sent. Within a second or two --- remote desktop on the phone with the cameras already on the screen. Another second or so --- glance at camera issue or specific alarm status --- call 911 --- let police know its the real thing --- this would tend keep damage kept to a minimum --- all of our insurance premiums & industry image is helped --- a win win for all except the evildoers. It would also hinge on the quality of the police force of your specific locality.

MJ