Do privacy fences deter thieves? Or make your house more of a target?
I’m not a thief but if I was going to break into a house, I’d not pick one where I have to scale a 6ft fence to do so. Seems like a lot of work, especially when you’re on a time limit.
Idk if it matters, but a lot of the houses where I live have privacy fences so it’s not like I’d be the only one and sticking out.
My backyard is on a busy street with a convenience store about a block away in one direction and a high school a couple of blocks in the other direction. I could not imagine not having a privacy fence. I’ve had people scale my fence, usually when on the run after robbing the store. I refuse to put stairs on my deck for that reason.
All my gates have locks. If you want to steal stuff from my backyard, you’ll need to get it over the fence. Anything worth stealing in my yard is locked up anyways or otherwise too heavy for a thief to lift over a 6-foot fence.
I’ve lived here 34 years and have had people in my yard a handful of times. I replaced a chain link fence when we moved in. In fact, I just had the fence done again after a car crashed through it. Having a hole in the fence next to a busy road for 4 weeks was stressful. Not cheap, but a good investment for security and peace of mind.
@Erik
My house isn’t on a busy street per se, but it does connect two main streets together. People keep cutting through my yard to get across the street all the time in the summer. It’s also the last house on the street, so everyone can see inside if the blinds are up. I’m tired of it.
You say yes to the fence?
@Cyrus
If you put up some motion lights and a generic ‘Area Monitored By Cameras’ sign, a big ol’ privacy fence should be fine.
Bob said:
@Cyrus
If you put up some motion lights and a generic ‘Area Monitored By Cameras’ sign, a big ol’ privacy fence should be fine.
I do. I’ve got motion lights, an alarm system, cameras, signage, and some other stuff too. Probably also going to put plants around/on the fence to make it look nice and be another deterrent.
@Cyrus
Nice! Try to avoid plants that are invasive or grow like weeds. Poison Ivy sounds good but then it takes over your yard. Check for native plants or at least plants that behave.
Bob said:
@Cyrus
Nice! Try to avoid plants that are invasive or grow like weeds. Poison Ivy sounds good but then it takes over your yard. Check for native plants or at least plants that behave.
I will. Someone said there’s a native plant guide you can find online for where you live.
@Cyrus
That may have been me, lol, not in this thread but elsewhere. Wild roses have wicked sharp thorns and are a good choice. Blackberry bushes have thorns and you can eat the berries. And if the climate works, cacti are good.
Good luck! <3
@Bob
Might have been you ngl 
DataDrivenDialogues4 said:
If you can’t block the main path of possible intrusion, install a gate and make it the primary access point. Then rig it with security. Thieves are lazy—most will take the easy route every time.
So force them into one area with a fence? If I’m understanding correctly?
A privacy fence done right will definitely deter thieves. Make sure the pickets are screwed in, not nailed. This prevents thieves from just tearing them off. Install anti-bird spikes or wire on the inside, or even an electric animal line. These can prevent thieves from climbing over easily. If you have the space, plant thorny bushes or hanging cacti on the fence.
A dog only works as a security deterrent if it’s properly trained and poses a real threat. Most burglars can outsmart an average dog, but a trained guard dog can stop a break-in.
A well-lit yard with motion lights and visible cameras will also lower the chances of a break-in.