Moving into house with roommmates, LOCKED Pelican case my best security?

[Laramie]

Looks like I'm moving out of my apartment and into a house that has the owner plus one other roommate. The people seem very nice and trusting, but better safe than sorry. Since it's not my place, I can't really make modifications to the wall in order to anchor an eye-bolt to lock to bag.

How about a large, lockable Pelican case, that's connected to my bed frame with a chain and lock?

Any other suggestions? I don't have a safe big enough for all my photo gear.

[nadtz]

Insurance! If someone wants to jack the case its going to get jacked one way or another.

[crn3371]

Another vote for insurance.

[sheckells27]

What about a nice deadbolt for your bedroom door....and insurance?

[adam8080]

I have insurance on all my stuff, and My roommates know that if they touch my camera, they die, seriously.

[hastur]

Check out the Kalispel (I think the spelling is correct) gun cases, they are heavy duty aluminum. Creedmor Shooting Supply in Ca carries them.

Have Fun

Rob

[SlowBlink]

I'd suggest both. i ran into a similar problem with recording gear years ago and because I had room mates it wasn't covered since they lived there. Check into it and make sure you're covered.

[Canon Soldier]

yea just hook it to your bed and lock the case. Don't cheap out on the shain/lock. And insurance. And tell your roomates that if they even try to touch your stuff, they will go by by.

[Mystwalker]

I had roommates through college.

It was understanding that my room was "MY ROOM". Same for theirs.

I didn't have a DSLR or lens at that time, but I had computer equipment. They didn't come into my room (I hope) and I didn't go into theirs.

They are "your roommates", and you can onky hope there is some kind of honor in that.

Friends of roommates is another matter :(

[argyle]

...Friends of roommates is another matter :(

Exactly.

[Gliderparentntn]

Friends of roommates is another matter :(


Thats how most home burglaries happen it's not your friends that do it but they happen to mention something in your home to a friend of theres not thinking it could do you harm and then this person tells another and somewheres down this chain is a crack head needing a fix.

AS others suggested get renters insurance and get a security lock safe of some sort. Then at best don't advertise by bragging or showing your equipment off to people you don't know that visits. The less your roommates know what you have the better off you are.

It kills me to see these cars gonig down the rd with those big logos of stereo equipment on there back glass... What does it say? Come rob me first....

[Laramie]

All good info. Thanks all. I do have all my equipment on a "personal articles" policy through my auto-insurance. However I'd just like to prevent something if I can beause if it all got stolen, going through the process and getting it replaced would probably not be pleasant.

[rklepper]

3 things. Pelican, Pac-Safe (http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php), and insurance.

[Brandon Anderson Photos]

Take it with you everyware LOL... you never know when theres goin to be a photo opp...


yea I had a small stereo sticker on my car and guess what my windows got busted out, nonthing was stolen though but still I didnt put another one back on there

[Twitch1977]

Sharks with lasers.

Kurt

[MSIGuy]

Get a filing cabinet that locks. Too big to carry off, locks, and is inconspicuous. Really, who wants to steal your tax records and McDonalds receipts?

[ben_r_]

Sharks with lasers.

Kurt

Sharks with FRICKEN lasers!

But seriously, a locked pelican case and insurance is what I do.

[Mystwalker]

You may also want to lock your room.

I'm sure insurance folks will want a police report. Not sure how to explain to police that something got stolen when there is no evidence of "forced entry" - will be your word.

[zeva]

Sharks with FRICKEN lasers... PEW PEW!!!!

you forgot the most important part!

[P51Mstg]

Simple, If you don't trust them don't live there... Maybe they'll toss a few rocks of crack in your briefcase and call the cops when you leave for work.........

Doesn't sound like we are off to a good start.....

Mark H

[zeva]

I think that OP is just trying to be safe...

[P51Mstg]

I agree on the OP trying to play it safe. Still would you go to sleep somewhere with people you couldn't trust?

Not a good thing, as my son says "Dad, I've seen slasher movies that start like this" (obviously just kidding here)

Best wishes on the whole experience........



Mark H

[Bob_McBob]

Since it's not my place, I can't really make modifications to the wall in order to anchor an eye-bolt to lock to bag.

Would anyone really notice if you did it inconspicuously in your closet? I'd hope no one would be looking in there anyway. It would be easy enough to patch up the hole before you move out.

[Laramie]

Would anyone really notice if you did it inconspicuously in your closet? I'd hope no one would be looking in there anyway. It would be easy enough to patch up the hole before you move out.

Good point. I might just have to wait until everybody's gone, then anchor an eyebolt into a stud in the closet. That way I can keep the pelican locked in the closet as opposed to chained to my bedframe.

I agree on the OP trying to play it safe. Still would you go to sleep somewhere with people you couldn't trust?

Not a good thing, as my son says "Dad, I've seen slasher movies that start like this" (obviously just kidding here)

Best wishes on the whole experience........

Mark H

I do trust the people. It's just a matter of being safe all around. I want to protect against theft from them, as well as burglars. If I didn't feel comfortable, I wouldn't be moving there to begin with.

You may also want to lock your room.

I'm sure insurance folks will want a police report. Not sure how to explain to police that something got stolen when there is no evidence of "forced entry" - will be your word.

California Penal Code for burglary doesn't require a "breaking." Just an entry, and California cases have set the precedent that once a guest is invited into a home, he can still commit burglary of certain rooms.

[JawsofLife252]

i'm going to second the recomendation for PAC SAFE.

[sjafari]

As everyone else said, insurance is your best protection. I also have a locked Pelican case which i tuck away underneath laundry (because what robber is going to dig through a pile of clothes?).. the problem is that a Pelican case, especially with a lock on it, looks like there is something very valuable inside and almost invites people to take it. Though it has the benefit of being waterproof as well, so you can keep it tucked away in a basement without worrying about any flooding and the like.

[HuskyKMA]

I also have a locked Pelican case which i tuck away underneath laundry (because what robber is going to dig through a pile of clothes?).

You've obviously never been robbed or knew someone who was robbed, have you?

[MT59]

When you shop for Renter's insurance, be sure to add a "replacement value" rider to it. Might cost a couple bucks extra per month, but you'll get what would be required to buy a new replacement for anything stolen rather than some arbitrary value based on the age of the equipment.

[sjafari]

You've obviously never been robbed or knew someone who was robbed, have you?

Quite the contrary, i was robbed last year on Thanksgiving day, and have had many friends who have been robbed. I lost a Wii, 360, a normal xBox, countless games and dvds, cash, etc.. and guess what wasnt taken? thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment undearneath a pile of dirty laundry. maybe the people in your area are more classy than the crackheads who robbed me and know where to look..?
You'll want to watch out with adding a specific line-item to your renters policy, it may only be covered while the equipment is on the premesis and not cover you when the gear is out and about with you-- make sure you get that detail covered with the agent because some will while some won't. I got an Inland Marine policy (sounds completely wrong, but thats the policy type) which covers all my gear at replacement cost for ~$100 a year, wherever in the world I go.

[bolantej]

Get a safe and lock that stuff up. Even those cheaper ones they sell at walmart or similar stores work fine against regular petty crooks. that or a german shepard who sleeps on your bed while you're gone.