Electrically boobie-trapping an aluminum sash window

Oct 24, 2010 60 Replies

Has anyone done this before ? Id like to do this to two windows on the backside of my house which is ideal to break into since I back up to a dark forest. Have had problems with the next door neighbor vandalizing on a small scale but its escalating. SInce the aluminum sash is surrounded by non conducting wood and vinyl siding, Im hoping it is as simple as bringing the hot of a 115 v. outlet to the sash and fastening it tightly down. I live by myself so theres no concern for others getting accidentally shocked. The house is in FLorida which just passed new laws in October saying essentially, that, homeowners dont need to retreat and can stand their ground with a person breaking in. Tips please on using this method ? Thanks.


Tip: Don't. You're misinterpreting the law. Don't try and debate the law in your next message(s). Give a lawyer $100 to explain it to you.

Then he will sue you for the damage it caused him and win, kill him and its murder. Spend the money and time setting up a camera system to catch him, that will stop him.

Whatever you do, don't do that!

I've used a small fence charger to secure a car in my yard. It was amazing how many kids knew that! Such devices may not be legal where you live. They are safer, mostly, than running line voltage and current.

Jeff

" snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com" wrote in news:0b6c3918-2600- snipped-for-privacy@u10g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:

Why screw around with 115? Tap the dryer or stove outlet. Same legal penalty I suppose.

The house power can be deadly and if you kill or injure someone, you can be charged with a crime. I you want to electrically deter someone, I suggest an electric fence charger. The power is current limited and not considered lethal although painful.

TDD

The Daring Dufas wrote in news:ia1h57$k3t$1 @news.eternal-september.org:

One word...Claymore

I would try harsh language first. You could come up with some cutting remarks that would scar him for life.

A Claymore is too heavy, try a Samurai sword. 8-)

TDD

HEY, YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!

TDD

Or an IED. He could blame it on the Muslims.

I would recommend a bazooka. Just go out in the back yard when the neighbor is out there and tell him to stand close behind you while you test the weapon. The neighbor dies in the accident. Problem solved.

Red Green wrote in news:Xns9E1B6EFF7B805RedGreen@69.16.185.252:

Better yet, redo window with guillotine and trigger. Also mount triggered camera like they do on roller coasters. Smile!

Not sure if this is considered a green or red solution.

If you throw the body on a compost pile, it could be both, I suppose

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote the following:

There have been many cases where someone was injured by a boobie trap, no matter if it was on the home owner's property or not, and the person setting the trap was charged with a crime. What if police, fire, or EMTs used those windows to get into your house in an emergency?

Have a good lawyer on retainer for your manslaughter trial.

willshak wrote in news:-- OdnUtQ9NxkylnRnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@supernews.com:

BAD,BAD,BAD idea. not only have people been killed by this sort of booby trap,the owner often gets nailed by their own trap.

FELONY crime;manslaughter. good for several years of prison.

the BEST idea is to get one of those digital cameras made for hunters,that strap to a tree,and use an IR flash to capture whatever breaks the motion sensor's field of view. Then you have credible evidence of exactly who did the vandalism/break-in,and police can use it to arrest and convict them. It's also good for a civil lawsuit,to collect damages.

They are sold at sporting goods stores.

Or you could use a wireless webcam connected to your PC. there are several security cams made,with SW that makes the camera act as a motion sensor,records to harddisk when the image changes. you need one that has an integral IR light source.you can even buy them at WalMart.

Agreed. Potentially lethal booby traps, spring guns, et al, are NOT covered under the 'no duty to retreat' thing. Most states, they are specifically called out as illegal. A wandering kid, a utility guy, or an emergency services worker that HAD to make entry, could fall victim.

No duty to retreat means you can stand there with a shotgun aimed at the burglar, and use it if you feel your life is at risk. And the DA pretty much has to take your word for it. (Does the Florida law also address the civil suits from the burglar's family?)

On the slim chance this isn't a troll, there are all sorts of less lethal solutions available. Motion-sensor lights and alarms, security bars (with interior release so you don't get trapped in a fire), better window latches, plastic glazing that is harder to break, a dog in the back yard, and so on and so on.

Booby traps are illegal per se and have been since, I dunno, the Norman Conquest. Irrespective of whether anyone is hurt by a booby-trap, its mere presence is a crime!

There are many people who could legally enter your property without your permission - or even without your knowledge - and should not be fearful of injury. These people include:

  • A police officer with a valid warrant,
  • A firefighter or other emergency worker,
  • A child - who has no criminal liability
  • A civil trespasser trying to get out of the cold
  • Postal or utility workers,
  • Game wardens in search of an injured animal
  • ANYONE who can claim exigent circumstances; that is, where a life was in danger. This could be as simple as a frantic citizen searching your yard for a 2x4 to pry open a smashed door for the auto collision in front of your house!

Note that ALL of the above almost always have a legal right to be in your yard or even your house. Without your knowledge or permission.

It would be legal (and probably cheaper) to simply erect burglar bars on the windows. Or get a dog.

You've just disclosed your ignorance of household electricity.

The voltage you could put onto the window sash would still be 120 volts.

Jeff

I think the second word in your subject line should be spelled booby.

According to SWMBO, boobie trapping is something acomplished by a too-tight bra.

Jeff

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