One of the few things I know about, being a newby. So, I'll inject another two cents. (Getting close to a dime invested, so far.) ;D
Bob is right. Thinking over the motion alarm idea, placement is too difficult to be worthwhile. Fixed alarms on the doors and windows will work, and well. Still, a lot of expense, work, extra things to do every night in your bedtime routine, for the risk involved. The risk is super low.
John's idea is workable and will work. Almost always. The problem is that the one time it doesn't might be your turn. It bothers me that this guy accepts that if any blood is spilled, it will be his. How many people are willing to accept that? I am not!
I tried everything there was, in my "Drug War Years." There was something wrong with everything I tried! Kept working on it for a long time - thousands of dollars - until I got my first Boxer. First perfect system I ever had, and proved out, over the years. Good alarm system. Great "do something about it" system. Wonderful friend. I vote for the dogs. Yes, I have a gun, and yes, I used it. Pretty good back-up, when all else fails. Dog came along and I might as well have retired the gun. He never gave me a chance to get into the action!
One thing I tried, and still have, worked out. But, not for its intended purpose. Some experienced burglars will trip your alarms, either unintentionally or purposefully. They then hide, til the excitement dies down. Then, they try, again. Discourages you and the police, with "false alarms" that ARE NOT FALSE! Very discouraging. He was supposed to run away and stay away.
So, finally, I invested the big bucks. I bought a Night Vision scope. The alarm went off, and the cops came. False alarm. Oh, well. Had that scope for some time, before the opportunity came. After the cops went away, I sulked in the dark, in the house. no use trying to go back to sleep.
I think an hour had passed, and I was ready to go back to bed. Remembered the scope. What the heck! I got it out. Man, those things are amazing! He stood out like a bright light! He was crouched in the bushes, by the fence, some distance away. Through the dark and the leaves and brances of the bushes, I could see him, clearly! The light he was giving off actually washed out the leaves as if they were transparent!
I called 911, again! I carefully explained what I had, to dispatch. I asked that the cops approach, silently. They cooperated. Finally, I see what can only be a cop, by the back fence, not far from the BG. Then, there are some more. I gave dispatch directions, telling her I could see the cops, quite clearly. Short story, bunch of flashlights came on and they got him. Only time that ever worked, but priceless! Didn't go to sleep at all, that night! ;D
Lot of bucks to spend, for a few minutes of entertainment! Never happened, again. But, all is not lost. On vacation, one night, we heard a bump in the night. Got the scope out, to see what was going on. Had a herd of deer, close to the cabin. One of them did it. Have watched deer, raccoons, one cougar, all sorts of stuff. Cheapest serious entertainment device I ever bought. Have spent hours, watching the wildlife, at night. Love it! ;D
Yeah, I know - Off Topic! I'll go away.
Ray D ;D