Thread: Security Issues

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Theft? Vandalism? How do you handle security issues for outside displays? I have decided to start my project with inside displays. We have a lot of great window space and I haven't developed a good plan for outside security. We have traffic (both cars and walkers) that pass by at all hours of the night. which creates an environment that is ripe with opportunities for theft and vandalism. I have a Jack Russel Terrier (a little terror) who loves to bark...but who wants to listen to a barking dog all night. Your suggestions and ideas for security would be a big help to my planning process.

I usualy start the display each year with window decorations or scenes that can be seen through windows. The show in the garage takes weeks to set up but I just leave the door closed. The cemetary fence goes up a few days before Halloween. Anything that can be stolen or vandalized doesn't go out till the morning of Halloween. Then it all comes back inside that night. Despite an elaborate alarm and surveillance system, I would rather not present oportunity. It is a shame that some areas have this concern. I am hoping things will change when we move to NC

We don’t put anything out until the afternoon of Halloween and since our haunt is in our garage security is not an issue for us. I’ve seen some really good advice here from others about security so I’m sure you’ll be able to come up with something. I’m with Spookineer on this one...rather not present the opportunity, plus I just couldn’t bear to lose any of our props. Each one is special and carries memories with it that just can’t be replaced.

A fence is a good deterant.

I've been lucky. Usually lose a rat or two every year. I really ought to buy them in bulk and give them out as treats. This year someone took a string of skulls from the prow of the pirate ship - too close to the sidewalk. Plus someone climbed up on the side of the ship and took a plastic pistol that was duct taped to a pirate's hand. No damage done, they carefully untaped the pistol and left everything else intact.
I start putting out my display on October 1, adding a little each day. My three lunatic barking dogs help discourage trespassers even though they do their barking from the living room window. Mostly I'm just lucky to live in a neighborhood with sidewalks and parks where people walk a lot and know each other.

I agree...I waited until Halloween day and then just put everything up all at once. We don't have anything overly expensive, but this was the first year I corpsed some skulls and I want to keep them as reminders of my first efforts as I (hopefully) get better. My husband helped me take everything down the same night at around 10:00pm so nothing was taken.

Your feedback has been a lot of help. It just seems sad that everyone works so hard and then only gets to share the joys of their labor for such a short time. But I guess it's like my mama always said, "Who said life is fair?" I think my strategy to focus on window display this year is the most sound option. Next year I can work on the fence and graveyard. So much to do...I love it.

The key is to put up stuff no one wants Or at least, stuff as lame as the others houses in the neighborhood so it doesnt stand out as stuff worth taking I didnt put out the pirate ship until the Saturday before, and then left the ships wheel, cannons treasure chest and skellys inside the house until Tuesday night.

Even though we have never had anything vandalized or stolen (or even seen a pumpkin smashed anywhere in our neighborhood) I'm still paranoid about putting out anything that was expensive/time consuming to construct.

Our stuff that goes out the first week of October is all stuff that is the skeleton (pun intended) of our yard haunt: graveyard fence, foam tombstones, cobwebbing and any props that are tied/wired down. We also hang any of the props that are up high and would require a ladder to steal.

The tombstones are cheapies and easily replaced. Again, never lost one. I guess the kids and teens in our neighborhood are pretty darn nice!

When the big stuff (electronics and such) go out, it's the night of - and DH and I sit out on our porch to make sure that nothing gets messed with. The added bonus is that we get to see and hear the reactions to the props!

Like Frankie's Girl, My haunt is a slow build up starting around the first week in October till it's show time! The gravestones, mausoleum, fencing and such are the first to go with props and electronics the last. I've had many visitors tell me they drive by my house weeks in advance of Halloween to view the progress. By bringing it out a little at a time helps with security and builds excitement to the big night.