LAUNCH GATE VANDAL IS BACK

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 4:09 pm

The lock on our Little T gate was cut off sometime between Thursday night and Saturday noon. The other gate across Little T Cyn. was also vandalized.

Richard and Kat Shaw, played gate monitor today per county Sheriff's request and I've replaced the lock. Go to the "members only" page on the SHGA website for the new combination and remember to give it only to club members. Also, please scramble the lock after entering and exiting.

As much as we hate it, we'll likely have to put "old faithful" back on as soon as we get a new one.

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 4:56 pm

Can we put a sign that says "You are being videotaped", or something of the sort.

I know when I'm driving down the freeway and see a sign telling you that you are being watched from the sky...slow down, you get my drift; I always look up and slightly ease of the peddle.

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:39 am

I agree that it might help but it's a bit awkward for the forest service because they have rigid "sign" standards and their Rangers are supposed to pull down all illegal signs. When our vandalism problem was at it's peak, I discussed with the District Ranger, the possibility of night vision video surveillance. He passed the idea on to his enforcement rangers. When we put our super lock on the gate, it pretty much ended all the problems.

Now that we have a standard padlock, the problems have returned.

Cyndia · Post by **Cyndia** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:23 pm

How about putting up a video camera triggered by motion focused on the gate but positioned to also take in the vehicle that is close to the gate? Friends use one at their cabin in the woods and have clearly recorded bear and mountain lions at night. Memory card is easy to swap out and may provide documentation for the forest service. The cameras are fairly inexpensive. Let me know if you want more details.

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:09 am

Thanks Cyndia,
I heavily researched remote infrared game cameras and offered to donate one to the forest service when we had the major vandalism a couple years ago. They elected not to do it but they didn't go so far as to tell me we couldn't do it ourselves.

Given the past 2 years of success, I'd say all we need is to get back to a more secure lock.