The Hurdles (and Solutions) of Rural Ranch Security
From the majestic sunsets to the untapped landscape, there’s nothing that compares to living on a ranch. Because ranches are often located in rural areas outside of the city, however, they may become a target for burglars and vandals. However, ranch security doesn’t have to be out of reach.
A Proactive Approach to Securing Your Ranch
You should take a proactive approach towards securing your property and livestock.
The Challenges of Keeping Ranches Secure from Vandals and Theft
One of the reasons why ranchers often struggle to properly secure their property is because of the vast size of their property. A typical residential home is roughly 2,600 square feet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A ranch, on the other hand, may consist of several thousand acres, adding a new barrier of difficulty in regards to security.
Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that smaller properties are easier to secure, which usually holds true. Many ranchers fear that installing security alarms won’t do much to deter attacks and are just a waste of money.
Access to electricity to power security systems in rural areas has historically been an obstacle.
Technology Offers Solutions for Ranchers
The good news is that with technological advances in recent years, it’s becoming easier to implement robust security systems for even the most remote ranches. Many systems use solar power and GPS systems so they can be installed literally anywhere.
Infrared Video Surveillance Systems
A solution to help secure your ranch property is to set up an infrared (IR) video monitoring system. IR video cameras work by picking up and displaying thermal body heat. In large, open fields, these video cameras are highly effective at identifying people as they approach the property. Of course, an IR video camera will only prove beneficial if someone is actually watching it, which is why it’s recommended that you have it monitored. Whether you are sitting at your ranch home watching TV or if you are hundreds of miles away, the monitoring company will keep an eye on your IR video cameras, watching for signs of suspicious activity.
Another Benefit of Video Surveillance
In addition to preventing theft, ranch owners can also use video surveillance to make sure livestock and employees are being well-treated and rules are being followed. Suspicious workman’s comp claims can be investigated if the incident was captured on video. If workers know they’re under surveillance, they’re also less likely to commit crimes.
Intrusion Alarms
Alarm systems may also be used in conjunction with the IR video monitoring systems to provide an even greater level of security for rural ranches. While there are dozens of different types of alarm systems, most work in the same manner: sensors are placed at points of entry (e.g. doors and windows), and when a person trips one of these sensors, it triggers the alarm while also contacting the monitoring company. The monitoring company will then call the property owner to make sure everything is okay. If they are unable to reach someone or if they believe the property owner is under duress, they will contact the police department for that area.
Access Control
Implementing access controls is yet another safeguard that can be used to help protect your ranch from burglars, vandals and unscrupulous employees. You can install card, code or biometric access readers on specific gates and doors, so only those with the authority have access to those buildings or areas.
The combination of access controls, IR video monitoring, and an alarm system will lock down your rural ranch property, allowing you to sleep just a little more soundly at night.
At Cultris Security, we specialize in securing rural ranch properties. Give us a call at (281) 506-8466! or visit us online!
Image attribution: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwwycoff/
