gate or not to gate??

being a somewhat new cabin owner–like to ask you guys what you do or would do–cabin we bought has a gate that can go across driveway and can lock it–guy we bouth it from used to close and lock it when not there–over the winter we left it open for snow plowing–now that spring is here–wondering if guy should leave it open and making anyone wonder if we are there or around at anytime–or close and lock it making lil hard to get access to cabin–other than just backing up to cabin–I know bolt cutter is all thats needed to cut lock off and all–but what do you guys think?? thanks

unless you are around a bunch of people that are there most of the time ,use the lock it will deter easy entry and keep the honest people out. If they want in bad enough,locks slow down crookes enough to think twice! just don’t leave a lot of stuff they would want to seal there.
Stan

our old cabin up in aurora had a gate that we would always lock when not there but we did have neighbos up there that pretty much lived up there so we never had issues. i would lock it than they have to struggle to get stuff out

thats what am thinking too–at least make it harder to get into and like ya say make em think about it too!! thanks for input

Its also like hanging a sign up hey we arent around.

If the crooks want to get in, they will. I believe the gate will only keep out the honest people and there is no reason to fear them. If the gate is closed and locked, that tells the crooks noone is home.

We set the light timers so they go on an hour before dark and go off at sunrise. We also try to make it look like someone is around as much as possible. We also have 3 house lights that are motion sensored so it all lights up if someone drives in.

There are times like Halloween when we leave carved pumpkins on the front steps and things like that that make it look like someone lives there almost all the time.

Maybe something hanging on a clothes line will also make it appear that someone is home.

In 20 years we have never had one issue of any kind.

Lucky maybe but it seems to work.

Call me lazy but there is no way I would put up with opening or closing, locking or unlocking a gate each time I arrived or departed.

I would lock it up for the fact that if something were to happen it would make it easier filing police and insurance claims. I have had things stolen from my garage a couple of times and it burns my but the first thing the cops asked me was your garage locked, yes it was but why should that even matter, just because something is unlocked doesnt give someone the right to steal it from me. locking it up would help show the police and your ins. co. that you were trying to protect yourself.

If it was there when you bought it,and the guy used it. I would use it.

I would also add a “Beware of Dog” sign.

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Call me lazy but there is no way I would put up with opening or closing, locking or unlocking a gate each time I arrived or departed.

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I would get a gate opener with a remote. (Just like my garage)

I like to stick a post it on the door when away. “Be back in 5 minutes. Went to buy more ammo”.

-J.

Our cabin has been broken into a couple times and shot at from the road as well. We don’t keep anything of value there to steal and we lock our gates. The neighbors watch the place but they live a mile away and people are desperate these days. Just when you thought land mines were not a great thing to have. I like Jon’s sign idea. Another good one is “smile for our cameras”

Yeah–still not sure which I want to do yet!! I like locking and all that–but then you know for sure no one is around too!! thanks for input