Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Thank you all for the kind words and sentiments.

As in the past (our property was burglarized before) we have been looking into security camera systems. I have found several that send images via a cell phone connection. The problem that I have found with most of them is that either (a) they require a power connection or (b) they cost approximately $1,000 per camera. To effectively cover our property we would need at least four. If anyone has any other suggestions regarding security cameras (keeping in mind there is not power on the property) I would be happy to hear them.

In answer to some of the questions...
No. They did lift fingerprints and have sent them to a data base. This is a rural county that has budget issues and they are not going to go to the expense of DNA testing for a theft. Hopefully the fingerprints will result in something. The deputy told us it could take up to four months to get the fingerprint results back. Definitely not like "CSI" on TV, no immediate finger print analysis, no DNA testing, no tire track or shoe print analysis. I don't blame the Sheriff's department I think that they are doing the best they can with the resources that they have.


I'm not absolutely sure of anything Cecil and sadly don't trust many people anymore. This neighbor has had stuff stolen from his property as well and has set up an elaborate security camera system on his property (he has power at his place). He was the one that heard noises, called us, called the Sheriff and offered us any help he could. He has even gone so far as to offer to let us run a camera off of his system to our property if we purchased the cable and camera. I am looking into this alternative - we would have to run about 1,000 feet of cable but it might be worth it.


Good suggestion on the Craigslist alert, I hadn't thought of that. We did notify all three Polarius dealers that are in the vicinity and the Ranger has been put on a stolen status - so if anyone attempts to have it serviced the VIN number will report as being a stolen UTV. One Polarius dealer told us that ATV/UTV thefts have skyrocketed in the past couple of years.


There is a house that is near our place that has been referred to as the "Tweaker House" that was a hangout for meth heads and generally bad folks. The Sheriff's department has made multiple arrests at that place and cleaned it out. The owners are cleaning it up and are going to put it on the market. Hopefully that will help. We suspect that it was people associated with that house that were involved.


Unfortunately our property was a prime target. Absentee owners, rural location, the buildings cannot be seen from any neighboring property or road. As soon as we can move up there we will but realistically that is probably years away at this point.
During this process so many people (clerks at Home Depot, Walmart, etc) told us about having stuff stolen. Rural areas that use to be somewhat immune to these events are no longer. Property crime is on the rise everywhere - IMHO a very sad sign of the times.


As you might imagine we are saddened and sickened about the irreplaceable stuff. Items that would probably only sell for a few dollars meant the world to us. We have to keep reminding ourselves that it is only stuff and does not diminish the memories that we have surrounding the items but I confess that this is easier said than done.

I'm trying to maintain a sense of humor (warped as though it is) but it isn't easy lately. This past tax season was my the most difficult one I've had in over 30 years. Two of my clients lost homes (I've been averaging 2 client foreclosures/short sales per year for the past four years), two clients closed businesses, many, many people lost jobs. I literally (the literally is for Bruce) had three clients breakdown and cry in my office when discussing their taxes and finances this past year. I try to remain detached and professional but many of these clients I've known for decades. And now the Twinkies debacle - how in the hell can I live in a world without Twinkies.

Thank you all for the kind words and support, they mean a great deal to Ricki and I and I mean that sincerely.