Buying a plot of land or an acreage is a significant investment. When you purchase several acres, you are putting money into your family’s future privacy. You may also be investing in that much land for a farm or other business. Unfortunately, securing rural acreage is a challenge. In land so vast, how do you keep track of everything? People may trespass. You could experience drug activity. Vandalism and theft are also not uncommon. On top of it all, you could be liable to any injuries those perpetrators sustain while trespassing.
As a property owner, you need to take action.
Pay Attention
Start by paying attention. Do a thorough audit of your property and take note as to where you might need the most security. A down piece of fencing or an unclear property line should get some attention but also look at the most vulnerable areas. For instance, hand tools are one of the most commonly stolen items. You may want to take note of which areas have the most things worth protecting as well. You will probably want some extra security there, too.
Have a Plan
Once you know which security issues you have with your land, you will want to lay out a plan for resolving those issues. Keeping an inventory of your belongings and photographs will help for any type of insurance-based recovery. Stay in touch with your neighbors as well. In some cases, your neighbors may be working closer to your property lines than you are. Make sure you have a friendly relationship in place so that you can let each other know when you are away or when something suspicious is happening. You should also list out some of the steps you can take to remedy your land security.
Passive Security
Start with passive security. These actions are usually inexpensive and easy to set up. Passive security measures include adding locks, posting “No Trespassing” signs and making sure you have a good fence up. Consider improving your lighting as well. A well-chosen light in the right place can be a significant theft- and vandalism-deterrent. While adding lights will be more of an investment than posting signs, the benefits outweigh the costs. Lighting entrances is a good beginning.
Active Security
Active security should also be a priority. These devices include alarms and cameras. If you haven’t been in the market for these items in some time, you may be surprised at how affordable it can be to add a surveillance or security system — and they are effective. Just hearing an alarm or seeing a camera can be enough to prevent many people from trying to do anything to your property, but having a camera does something else, too. It gives you proof when you choose the right one.
Ideally, you will want a Wire-Free camera system so that you can record movement without wires. It also has thermo-sensors, an ultra wide-angle lens, 1080p HD resolution and night vision, so you always know what is happening on your land. There is also a built-in speaker and microphone system, so you can ask a trespasser to state their business. Best of all? The cameras are weatherproof and capable of working in even the most extreme temperatures.
Protecting your rural lands takes work. Start by inventorying your belongings and security concerns, then developing a plan for resolving any vulnerabilities. You will need a variety of passive security efforts, like locks and lights, as well as more active security, like cameras, to keep your property safe.
