Posted: 7/6/2011 12:09:29 PM EDT
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I almost hate to ask this, because I'm quite sure what the answer will be.
In a month I'm getting a geothermal system installed in the basement. I'm going to have several guys from multiple companies in and around every corner of my basement, as well as the crawl space under the rest of the house. I have everything down there that you don't want people to see...ammunition stockpile, guns (some of the hunting guns are unsecured on the wall), gun safe, gun manufacturer paraphernalia on the wall, hunting stuff (bows, crossbow, etc.), food stores (>15 5 gallon buckets, canned goods, huge freezer), and beer brewing equipment. What lengths would you go to get some of this stuff out of sight? I have a couple closets in upstairs bedrooms that can be used for temporary storage, but that does involve moving everything up two flights of stairs, and the stuff still might be seen cause the guys are going to be doing duct work through much of the house). I can also take much of it to work, but that might involve exposing my co workers to my tinfoil. My main goals are to stay under the radar from these guys in a SHTF scenario and avoid becoming the target of theft. |
| Then you may need to rent or locate a small enlcosed trailer for a day or two. Load it all into an encclosed trailer, and keep it tightly secured. If done right they will just think you are a gun nut. This is why the inside of my house is not decorated in gun stuff, It's all out of site. I dont want anyone who comes inside to see anything. |
| I'd hide as much as possible. Maybe some stuff can be covered with sheets or something else so as to not draw attention to what you have. Personally, I keep things pretty well concealed from everyone. You never know who may talk to who. Perhaps one of the guys mentions to another friend of his that "yea, I was at a job last week and this guy had .........................." next thing you know you could be the target of a breakin or anything else. OPSEC means only those on a need to know basis know. Period!!!! |
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This. You'll only need it for a short time. If anybody asks, "I moved the pool table and all the basement furniture so you guys would have room to work." |
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Drape everything / hang a black plastic dry cloth plastic sheet over everything.
That is what I do when I have someone that must be in the basement. I have a black plastic sheet that stays stapled to the ceiling that I hang down hiding the shelving Everything else is in opaque plastic boxes with lids. ETA: if you aren't going to be down there with them to prevent them from snooping around, do one of the suggestions above |
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Quoted:
I almost hate to ask this, because I'm quite sure what the answer will be. In a month I'm getting a geothermal system installed in the basement. I'm going to have several guys from multiple companies in and around every corner of my basement, as well as the crawl space under the rest of the house. I have everything down there that you don't want people to see...ammunition stockpile, guns (some of the hunting guns are unsecured on the wall), gun safe, gun manufacturer paraphernalia on the wall, hunting stuff (bows, crossbow, etc.), food stores (>15 5 gallon buckets, canned goods, huge freezer), and beer brewing equipment. What lengths would you go to get some of this stuff out of sight? I have a couple closets in upstairs bedrooms that can be used for temporary storage, but that does involve moving everything up two flights of stairs, and the stuff still might be seen cause the guys are going to be doing duct work through much of the house). I can also take much of it to work, but that might involve exposing my co workers to my tinfoil. My main goals are to stay under the radar from these guys in a SHTF scenario and avoid becoming the target of theft. I'm going to assume your ammo and guns are in a properly secured safe. I'd cover the safe with a thick painters cloth so that it's out of sight, out of mind. Pack several large totes around the safe for extra measure and to make it a little more inaccessible for curious eyes..... I'd put the bows and paraphernalia into a closet (add a lock) that will not be disturbed during the duration of the contractor's work. Are you or your SO going to be present at all times when the workers are present? You have a computer, add a web cam (they sometimes come with software for security) and point it at the important location(s)... This way you can either record or remote view what's going on... ETA florida woman watches home burglary - look around the web and you'll find the version that syncs the 911 call to the video 
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You've posted on a public forum, thereby breaching COMSEC. You're not engaged in any OPeration which requires SECurity. What exactly do you see as a problem? 
Are you new to the outdoor forums? COMSEC is not broken because he has not disclosed his location on the interwebz. Unless he has been PM'ing everyone his address, hes just a dude from Delaware with a question. His operation is hoarding guns, ammo, food, and beer so that his loved ones are prepared to withstand a SHTF event. Most burglaries involve someone you know. They either wanted your stuff or were talking about your stuff and were overheard. OP has a bunch of dudes coming over rooting around his house and doesn't want a seedy character taking stock of his goodies. I have a couple like minded friends whose houses I could store most of my preps at for a week. I would be less concerned about the food than the guns and ammo. What grasshopper is going to notice or care about a stack of buckets? At the very least take down all the gun posters and hide everything laying out in the open. Alot of people have a safe with a couple of old shottys in it, this doesn't make them gun lovers. If they see a basement full of gun posters and signs they will still know you are a gun guy without ever having actually seen a gun. |
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This. You'll only need it for a short time. If anybody asks, "I moved the pool table and all the basement furniture so you guys would have room to work." I would have them store it offsite for a month, then bring it back |
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Four years ago we had our basement water proofed. We rented a storage unit down the road for a month. Plus, put stuff away in other rooms. If it were my stuff. I'd keep it hidden. You don't know them, you don't want to answer questions. I agree with showpare x2...chuckle, chuckle. Move what you can and store it in other rooms or offsite. No need to have contractors/workers asking questions that you don't want to answer. |
| So far the only person I've had in the basement has been the A/C guy. For that I used poor lighting in addition to throwing out some old drop cloths on "grandmas furniture" and some cardboard on some other items of interest. I put a work light right on the A/C unit and the rest of the basement was dark and really not that visible. For something bigger, I think I would move it out...... |
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Biggest thing to hide is your guns and bows and crossbows because they wont come raid those in a SHTF scenario, they will come steal them to sell them! So hide those first. Put a blanket or sheet or something over the safes. And maybe stack some boxes on or around to make it look like there could be the same underneath the sheet.
Hide the most valuable stuff in the closets and put the stuff that is resistant to weather temperatures in your car (like ammo.) If you have unmarked boxes put stuff in those. Workers generally arent going to go through unmarked boxes (Like go to the grocery store and pick up some boxes like you are moving) Marked boxes are like the box you bought your gun in or something you prep came in (like "72 hour survival food in this box!") Just try to get it out of sight and look as least conspicuous as possible. If you put a huge sheet up dividing your basement, its going to scream "Hey there is something important to this guy behind this! Come look at me!!!" |
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1.) Stack everything in one corner of the basement.
2.) Buy a nice rocking chair and small throw blanket. 3.) Pick out favorite weapon and lay it gently across your lap. 4.) Rock in your chair and gently stroke your rifle while watching closely their every move. Just portray yourself as a crazy gun toting nut, they probably wont even show up for work the next day, let alone down the road. hahaha Or just get a storage unit. Congrats on your geothermal purchase. I cant wait! |