62 replies to this topic

[MyHomeSweetHome]

It's hard not to notice that a lot of very nice people, who post on the local forums, are on high alert. More than a year ago, it became more noticeable to us that things were changing. Not just bad guys doing bad things against bad guys but we found that there may be a possibility of home invasions, which sounds really scary. I was already a scardy cat so what was I to do since we aren't moving?

We had a break in/robbery in our home when we lived in the village a couple of years ago. At that time I owned a yappy dog that did nothing to detour the intruders. Our local friends advised us that we needed to get a good guard dog, since we were planning to move to a more rural area. A german shepherd, pit bull, rottweiler, doberman etc. were the recommendations. Something that would bite & that had a reputation with Mexicans. Long story short, after 2 years of living here, & being passed over some very scary home invasions, we've pretty much secured our home enough that if I'm home alone or even away from home, I feel very safe. Even if I hear a noise, like a goof ball shooting his gun, I still feel peaceful and safe. It's no fun to be a full time resident, be robbed of sleep or feel that adrenal fight or flee syndrome.

Layers of defense:

1. High walls/fencing with razor wire & bright flowering thorny vines. House/property is hidden from street. (Security cameras mounted high on house are visible. No access to roof, not sure if that helps.)
2. Dusk to dawn LED flood lights.
3. Decorative bars.
4. Little extra manual security locks on windows & push in pin on slider doors.
5. Security cameras
6. Trained personal protection & guard dogs (trained at Wolf's Canine School/doubtful a stray will qualify) Guard dog outside at all times & yappy dog inside.
7. Cell phone has Chapala Police in favorites
8. Lock bedroom door at night, although w/dogs, probably not necessary.
9. Back up generator...selling them at Costco.

I read an article 2 days ago of a city several hundred miles north of here that is having problems with break ins. They recommend residents to have higher walls and a good guard dog in their carport & patios. We can learn from our nationals.

Others like a taser or pepper spray but I don't want someone that close to me. I'd rather send my dog after them. Stuff is replaceable, lives are not. I'm happy if I have enough time to call for help.

I walk around my neighborhood & feel that many of my neighbors homes are vulnerable. Some do not wish to have a high wall, some do not want the responsibility of a personal protection guard dog. I do hope that those who live in rural areas would reconsider a guard dog. Single women, a personal protection dog is very well trained & behaved. They are also suspicious and alert. If someone raises their hand to you to strike you, they will bite them. They're trained to attack armed persons etc. Some of our neighbors have adopted a dog or two but have also added a working dog to train. Bravo!!! Our dogs are family dogs but they have been conditioned to have the switch on, be suspicious, able to detect danger and do something about it.

If you're unable to do anything more to your home to make it secure, live in a rural area, at least think about a trained dog to sleep in the house with you. Believe me, there's a difference from a trained and untrained dog. I didn't walk in my neighborhood for over a year because I was a chicken. Now I'm happily walking again w/my dog & love the looks the workers get on their faces & tell everyone that he's been trained at Wolf's! Wolf's Canine school trains police and military dogs & has a good reputation.

We've had enough activity happen in the past year or so to realize that we're actually alright down here. Kind of keep an ear open for a spot you may avoid for a time but will be able to return to later, as life goes on. Probably the best thing one can do is not keep dwelling on the bad stuff but think on things that are good & lovely. Don't worry. I have to trust that we've done the best that we can, now Someone greater than I has to look out for me. That's good enough.

[wisecracker]

Sounds good to me. Keep your eyes open.

[Humbleclectic]

If I were a single woman living alone and had just a limited income:

• Buy the largest size used male shoes or boots and post them near an entrance
• Buy a large dog dish for food and water, keep some water and old smeared dog food in the dish. Leave a large dog chain attached like you chain your dog, but now he is inside with you.
• Post a sign in spanish that you are "not responsible for anyone getting electricuted by your live electric fence"
• Have a large can of WASP spray near your bed. (the can shoots about 10 ft accross any room)
• If you think someone is lurking around at night, sprinkle fine coating of corn starch around entrances or any window, in the moring you can check for footprints.

This is kind of Red Neck way, but cheap, if you want to do something in the interim while building a wall, getting an alarm system, etc.

[bwhite1948]

If I were a single woman living alone and had just a limited income:

• Buy the largest size used male shoes or boots and post them near an entrance
• Buy a large dog dish for food and water, keep some water and old smeared dog food in the dish. Leave a large dog chain attached like you chain your dog, but now he is inside with you.
• Post a sign in spanish that you are "not responsible for anyone getting electricuted by your live electric fence"
• Have a large can of WASP spray near your bed. (the can shoots about 10 ft accross any room)
• If you think someone is lurking around at night, sprinkle fine coating of corn starch around entrances or any window, in the moring you can check for footprints.

This is kind of Red Neck way, but cheap, if you want to do something in the interim while building a wall, getting an alarm system, etc.

The dog food remnants could invite mice and rats. Wasp spray or other deterrents could make matters worse by p*ing off the intruders as often there are more than one. Best to comply with intruders instructions, even though that's not human nature; better to be alive than brave, but dead.

The best advice is to not flaunt any signs of wealth, jewelry, late model or high end cars or SUVs, fancy clothes. Everywhere people judge others by the way they look; dress down, not up. You don't need barbed wire or highly trained guard dogs; homes that are obviously 'over' protected can give the suggestion that wealth is inside.

Been in Mexico almost 20 years, most of them in Ajijic and never had razor wire or dogs. Mostly we've had high walls, but not always (have rented various styles of homes in Ajijic). Drive a clunker, wear old jeans, smile a lot.

[Jeanette]

Just one comment on the guard dog angle:  Before you make this commitment, recognize that if you ever decide to return to the US, you are going to have a VERY rough time finding rental housing.  Further, even you purchase a home, getting homeowner's insurance is incredibly difficult and very expensive.  HOA's and entire towns and cities are outlawing them. Trained or not, these breeds have been declared "dangerous".  
I don't want to start a debate about the fairness of this issue. It's simply a fact of life that I think anyone needs to remember before they purchase or adopt one of these so-called "dangerous breeds." My first dog was a doberman.  Beautiful, gentle, wonderful dog.  I still love and admire the breed.  But due to these issues, I'll never own one again in the USA.  (I can't speak to the situation in Canada.)

[giltner68]

1. High walls/fencing with razor wire & bright flowering thorny vines. House/property is hidden from street. (Security cameras mounted high on house are visible. No access to roof, not sure if that helps.)
2. Dusk to dawn LED flood lights.
3. Decorative bars.
4. Little extra manual security locks on windows & push in pin on slider doors.
5. Security cameras
6. Trained personal protection & guard dogs (trained at Wolf's Canine School/doubtful a stray will qualify) Guard dog outside at all times & yappy dog inside.
7. Cell phone has Chapala Police in favorites
8. Lock bedroom door at night, although w/dogs, probably not necessary.
9. Back up generator...selling them at Costco.

I'm sorry, but do you realize you just described most NOB prisons? Do you really want to live with this mentality? Surely this place, or any in the world isn't worth that level of anguish.

[MexicoJimbo]

My solution to having a safe place to live is a simple one.

Although I could afford to buy a big house, I have chosen instead to live in an apartment.

During the past dozen years, I have lived in apartments in four different Mexican towns/cities.

A multi-unit apartment building with a locked entrance gate, a good landlord and responsible tenants is, in my view, at or near the bottom of the list of targets for burglars or armed robbers. After all, there are usually people in and around the building. Plus, there are normally several vehicles in the parking area.

Seems to me that no crook with half a brain would venture into a place where there are lots of potential witnesses. Plus, any savvy robber would have to figure: "Hey, if these people were rich, they wouldn't be living in an apartment."

In the 12 years I've lived in apartment buildings in Mexico, there have been zero robbery attempts in those buildings.

And, in case you're wondering, living in an apartment doesn't mean you're settling for a second-rate home environment. The place where I've been living for the past four years is a nicely furnished two-bedroom apartment, with satellite TV, wireless internet and a comfy back yard with swimming pool, trees and plenty of flowers. Most of the tenants - Canadian, American and Mexican - are long-term residents and are friendly and respectful of one another.

One other thing about living in an apartment: If, for some reason, I decide to move, I won't have to wait forever for someone to buy the place. And if something changes in the immediate area that makes the neighorhood a less pleasant place to live, I can pack up and leave with ease.

So that's the apartment solution. And it doesn't require razor wire, security cameras, spotlights, trained personal protection or guard dogs.

Works for me.

[MexicoJimbo]

1. High walls/fencing with razor wire & bright flowering thorny vines. House/property is hidden from street. (Security cameras mounted high on house are visible. No access to roof, not sure if that helps.)
2. Dusk to dawn LED flood lights.
3. Decorative bars.
4. Little extra manual security locks on windows & push in pin on slider doors.
5. Security cameras
6. Trained personal protection & guard dogs (trained at Wolf's Canine School/doubtful a stray will qualify) Guard dog outside at all times & yappy dog inside.
7. Cell phone has Chapala Police in favorites
8. Lock bedroom door at night, although w/dogs, probably not necessary.
9. Back up generator...selling them at Costco.

I'm sorry, but do you realize you just described most NOB prisons? Do you really want to live with this mentality? Surely this place, or any in the world isn't worth that level of anguish.

Too true, Gitner68. Clearly there is a price to be paid for paranoia.

And that price - in addition to the cost of all those security gadgets - is paranoia itself.

[elbelgicano]

My solution to having a safe place to live is a simple one.

Although I could afford to buy a big house, I have chosen instead to live in an apartment.

During the past dozen years, I have lived in apartments in four different Mexican towns/cities.

A multi-unit apartment building with a locked entrance gate, a good landlord and responsible tenants is, in my view, at or near the bottom of the list of targets for burglars or armed robbers. After all, there are usually people in and around the building. Plus, there are normally several vehicles in the parking area.

Seems to me that no crook with half a brain would venture into a place where there are lots of potential witnesses. Plus, any savvy robber would have to figure: "Hey, if these people were rich, they wouldn't be living in an apartment."

In the 12 years I've lived in apartment buildings in Mexico, there have been zero robbery attempts in those buildings.

And, in case you're wondering, living in an apartment doesn't mean you're settling for a second-rate home environment. The place where I've been living for the past four years is a nicely furnished two-bedroom apartment, with satellite TV, wireless internet and a comfy back yard with swimming pool, trees and plenty of flowers. Most of the tenants - Canadian, American and Mexican - are long-term residents and are friendly and respectful of one another.

One other thing about living in an apartment: If, for some reason, I decide to move, I won't have to wait forever for someone to buy the place. And if something changes in the immediate area that makes the neighorhood a less pleasant place to live, I can pack up and leave with ease.

So that's the apartment solution. And it doesn't require razor wire, security cameras, spotlights, trained personal protection or guard dogs.

Works for me.

Could be part of a good long term solution.... build more (not to high) apartments here.

[Atlas]

I'm sorry, but do you realize you just described most NOB prisons? Do you really want to live with this mentality? Surely this place, or any in the world isn't worth that level of anguish.

Apparently you've not seen how much of the world lives. Mexico is not the only country that has a high level of burglary and theft. Many cities in Europe and Asia employ many of these same deterrents. It's best to adopt the methods used where you live. One is generally safer on the streets at night here than NOB. Fear for one's personal safety is the mentality I don't want to live with.. Protecting one's property isn't anguish, it's good sense.

[manny]

gitner68, once again you hit the nail on the head. all this sounds like a military operation. somehow people like this. it will be the next business OP- (buy your killer dog, enjoy paradise). yes have security, but the time & expense (of all of this) is not worth it to me. who needs to take care of an animal? & pay for its schooling? i want to be free. i have friends who own a mansion in lima. they have: very high walls, no electric fences, very heavy metal front door to the yard, buzzer w/intercom, very heavy doors to the house & compound, no cameras, nice bars on the first floor. (have seen those fences in lima, but not all homes). they have a medium sized dog, it may be for a pet, when he barks no one knows his size, as he stays on the grounds. no way i would drive a clunker, either a nice car or a cab. will keep certain standards for mental heath & self esteem, i am still a human being. i never will dress like slob. if being "sloth" is mandatory, & you need a police dog, thats not living in my book. but each to his own! i have NOT seen electric fences in beverly hills, bel air, santa monica, (in los angelos). last time i was there was 20yrs ago (maybe thats changed). no electric fences in fairfield county, conn, (westport etc), hastings on the hudson, 5 towns, (NY). i am in process of some additional security. would like to get a recording of a dog barking, figure a way to broadcast this when i am not home. helper-guy made a good point about apartments vs houses. what would bother me about apts, is the handy man having a key or people giving the maids keys. you cant control other tenants. helper, any feedback about that?

[johanson]

1. High walls/fencing with razor wire & bright flowering thorny vines. House/property is hidden from street. (Security cameras mounted high on house are visible. No access to roof, not sure if that helps.)
2. Dusk to dawn LED flood lights.
3. Decorative bars.
4. Little extra manual security locks on windows & push in pin on slider doors.
5. Security cameras
6. Trained personal protection & guard dogs (trained at Wolf's Canine School/doubtful a stray will qualify) Guard dog outside at all times & yappy dog inside.
7. Cell phone has Chapala Police in favorites
8. Lock bedroom door at night, although w/dogs, probably not necessary.
9. Back up generator...selling them at Costco.

I'm sorry, but do you realize you just described most NOB prisons? Do you really want to live with this mentality? Surely this place, or any in the world isn't worth that level of anguish.

Basically since 1997 when I first purchased my home I have done much of what you explained above, not necessarily only for security but for a better quality of life. And no my home on the upper outskirts of Ajijic with nothing but country above me in upper Ajijic, doesn't feel like a prison. Rather it's my 3/4 of an acre of paradise.

No I did not get a generator, rather I purchased many electrical solar panels with enough batteries for backup power at night as needed, not for security, although I could be provided with power all night if I needed it, but because it was a great investment because CFE charges so much for electricity.

And because I find it wasteful to use dusk to dawn LED security lights I use dusk to dawn movement activated CFL security lights, which almost never go on and cost a small fraction of the cost of what you suggested.

No I didn't pay for the highly trained security dog which stays outside nor his two untrained followers (my house pets), they were all rescue dogs.

I already had the cell phone. About the only thing I pay for is the security guard, whom I share with the house next door occupied by my next door neighbors. And considering how little I pay for real estate taxes down here compared to a like property up north, my share of my security guards cost is a fraction of what I would pay for real estate taxes, which would include great police protection should I have this same home say in Seattle or Vancouver.

So I have done much if not all of what you suggested and have created not a prison but a very open, but well guarded property.

I learned many years ago, that what you should do is create an environment that tells the potential crook to keep on walking and to try another house, one that is not as well protected as mine/yours.

[MyHomeSweetHome]

We live in a rural area where police may not be able to arrive as quickly as in the village. Costs poco pesos to run a LED light & security cameras with LED monitors. The most humble of homes on my street has been robbed numerous times and 3 homes with less security than mine were invaded so your thinking that the more humble is the solution, is in great error. I truly believe our greatest physical protection are the dogs. Not one of those invaded had a big enough dog or it was tied up or out of sight out of mind. All homes were visable from street and easily accessible by either walking or clImbing over a low wall or no wall. I'd like my neighbors to feel they can protect themselves and avoid a potential problem. Especially I'm writing to those in rural areas or fraccs with big lots. Never heard of a home having problems with a good guard dog or better yet a trained one. A Mexican man was killed in a rural neighborhood. He had many dogs & high walls. Hitmen waited till he left his house. Not sure why he was targeted, none of my business but I did note, he wasn't robbed and all those bigger dogs.

We know that there are plenty of rich or poor Mexicans that dress classy and drive a nice car. Guess who lives near Andares Mall and the Ferrari dealership? People with a little money. Working class nationals with higher education & foreigners.

[manny]

for rural areas, yes dogs!

[MyHomeSweetHome]

People are going to live the way they want to. I'm good. If you're good than great. If you are not, maybe someone's recommended something that agrees with you and will work for you so you can have peace again.

[MexicoJimbo]

helper-guy made a good point about apartments vs houses. what would bother me about apts, is the handy man having a key or people giving the maids keys. you cant control other tenants. helper, any feedback about that?

I'm not helper-guy, but since it's my post you are talking about, I'll reply.

The man who does the gardening and cleans the pool has a key to the front gate. He has been working here for years and certainly does not represent a security risk. There is a maid who cleans the public areas of the apartment building and she also has a key to the front gate. Since she is the daughter of a Mexican couple who are tenants in the building, she also does not represent a security risk.

Perhaps because the folks in this building are apartment renters, we do not have maids. We all do our own mopping, sweeping and dusting. Sounds positively working-class, I suppose. Incidentally, all of the apartments have regular door-handle locks and deadbolt locks, plus those little peepholes in the doors.

As I mentioned in my previous post, there have been no robberies or burglaries in this apartment building, nor have there been robberies or burglaries in any of the other apartment buildings I have lived in over the past 12 years.

The building is situated in a Mexican neighborhood that features grandmothers sitting on their front steps and little kids playing in the street.

Put simply, security here is not only not a big concern, it is not a concern, period.

[Puddles]

Wow!! With all that security, if I were a burglar I would think you must have something behind those walls really worth getting in for. If if works for you, I'm happy, but I would just rather move than live in such fear. I have oft been accused of burying my head in tye sand. I don't. I am aware of what happens and what can happen and aware of my surroundings. However I reuse to be held captive by fear and the thought of what could happen on those mean ol' streets. If I want to go to a restaurant at 10 pm, I will. I just hope I can find one open that late.

[Griffin]

Buy stuns guns and pepper spray:

http://articulo.merc...ntialsaltos-_JM

http://listado.merca...zador-stun-gun-

[johanson]

But puddles, if you were responding to me, most everyone in my neighborhood has a security guard or guards. There is one piece of property that is much much larger than mine that has much more security than I.

When I am up north, I live in an average sized 2 bdrm condo half the way up the building with a partially blocked view. And it costs me much more to maintain my condo there, which has security, pool, gym, you name it etc, than it does to live down here

[Puddles]

No johanson, I was just responding in general. i've actually always appreciated your posts here, and you always seem to be middle ground. i remember when we lived in Vallarta many foreigners there tried to acyually not make it look like they were worth robbing by amping up their security, in the hope that robbers would go on to another place that looked like they had more stuff to rob! May have been stupid I know, and I do see here that many have said that humble house beside them have been robbed, so who knows. Whilst I am in no way complacent, I also don't want to live with fear.