This is an interesting look at how layered security scales at higher property values. I live in a restored Gilded Age estate with two commas in the valuation and have implemented much of this myself—perimeter fencing and gates, structured cabling, camera layers, access control, and network segmentation. One thing I’d add from experience is that much of the cost delta at the top end reflects integration complexity and service expectations rather than inherently exotic hardware. Most of these systems exist at multiple tiers depending on how you architect them. I enjoy building and maintaining the systems myself, so I don’t require the same level of integration support. And in practice, the most important layer for us has been much simpler: ensuring the property is never unattended, we have someone living full time in the carriage house. Consistent presence and fast human response often matter more than brute force technology.
I thought you did a great job laying it out. The hardware estimates felt very much in the ballpark. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of the cost at that level (understandably) lives on the service side: design, implementation, installation, and ongoing support/maintenance. I enjoy tinkering and building systems myself, but there’s real value in having professionals architect and manage it so it truly “just works”. I’m also not a public figure, so my needs are more conventional high-value property security rather than directed-threat mitigation. And some of what we’ve implemented was driven by insurance underwriting, carriers often want to see certain layers in place at higher coverage levels.
My mother was a shoe buyer for department stores, in the 1970s a lot of shoe factories were in Italy and between the Red Brigades and the Mafia, this was the life of upper middle class Italians in some area, not the tech, but rotating routes, hardening the home against potential hostiles. Hate seeing it Stateside.
A timely article given what's happened to Savannah Guthrie's mom. The kidnapping made me wonder if all celebrities/high profile government officials and execs/CEOs will start implementing stricter security measures for themselves and family members.
Just imagine. A lovely . Gracious . BHills Home. Where once upon a time . A family. 6 girls. A father. A mother. An obnoxious black cocker spaniel lived. The front door was never locked. Multiple nice cars in the driveway. Keys inside. The 60’s to 70’s. Imagine.
He was a pain !! BHills my hometown wasn’t “heaven “ it was however peaceful and beautiful. Then .The slaughter of Sharon Tate . You could feel the terror from Benedict Canyon down subsection Malibu . Guns were bought security cameras , walls. Electric gates attack dogs .
Of course . The laid back aura. Ca lifestyle was always there. It took awhile to settle. Occasionally I go home. Obviously not the house . I walked the streets of my childhood. Pass by homes of my friends. Some where the home was. Now huge remodeling. You can take the girl out of her city not the city out of girl
This is fascinating. I’ve thought about the wealthy and security a lot, especially in LA where there was this spike in high profile home break-ins.They can spend enormous amounts on security, but loyalty can’t be bought, and there’s no guarantee guards won’t be infiltrated. Think about scale if your children go to school, do they need their own guards? For each kid? And if this becomes a trend, as it has in countries with extreme inequality, you start to see just how fragile the illusion of civility really is.
What, if any, of this kind of hardening is available or, more importantly, useful for small HOA communities? I’m on the board of my HOA. We border the main river that runs through our city; it is a foot highway for homeless people much of the year. And the north exit of our trail system is open to the public trail that runs along the river. Currently we have nothing but motion-activated lighting at this entry point.
I’m scared of the details in each of these security systems. How did coop get away with his robberies in your friends and neighbors?
This is an interesting look at how layered security scales at higher property values. I live in a restored Gilded Age estate with two commas in the valuation and have implemented much of this myself—perimeter fencing and gates, structured cabling, camera layers, access control, and network segmentation. One thing I’d add from experience is that much of the cost delta at the top end reflects integration complexity and service expectations rather than inherently exotic hardware. Most of these systems exist at multiple tiers depending on how you architect them. I enjoy building and maintaining the systems myself, so I don’t require the same level of integration support. And in practice, the most important layer for us has been much simpler: ensuring the property is never unattended, we have someone living full time in the carriage house. Consistent presence and fast human response often matter more than brute force technology.
This is so fascinating. Did you find the price estimates I put to things were relatively accurate?
I thought you did a great job laying it out. The hardware estimates felt very much in the ballpark. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of the cost at that level (understandably) lives on the service side: design, implementation, installation, and ongoing support/maintenance. I enjoy tinkering and building systems myself, but there’s real value in having professionals architect and manage it so it truly “just works”. I’m also not a public figure, so my needs are more conventional high-value property security rather than directed-threat mitigation. And some of what we’ve implemented was driven by insurance underwriting, carriers often want to see certain layers in place at higher coverage levels.
My mother was a shoe buyer for department stores, in the 1970s a lot of shoe factories were in Italy and between the Red Brigades and the Mafia, this was the life of upper middle class Italians in some area, not the tech, but rotating routes, hardening the home against potential hostiles. Hate seeing it Stateside.
One of the integrators I spoke with told me the same thing! A lot of old tactics are “new” again because… they work!
This is really helpful and worrisome about celebrity. I will continue my successful efforts to remain unknown!
I feel like these folks have an actual person working for them as well, not just the tech
A timely article given what's happened to Savannah Guthrie's mom. The kidnapping made me wonder if all celebrities/high profile government officials and execs/CEOs will start implementing stricter security measures for themselves and family members.
Yes, and if you scroll to the
Bottom of the letter, you see it’s a real trend! Perfect point
Just imagine. A lovely . Gracious . BHills Home. Where once upon a time . A family. 6 girls. A father. A mother. An obnoxious black cocker spaniel lived. The front door was never locked. Multiple nice cars in the driveway. Keys inside. The 60’s to 70’s. Imagine.
Sounds like heaven!!! Especially the cocker spaniel ☺️
He was a pain !! BHills my hometown wasn’t “heaven “ it was however peaceful and beautiful. Then .The slaughter of Sharon Tate . You could feel the terror from Benedict Canyon down subsection Malibu . Guns were bought security cameras , walls. Electric gates attack dogs .
Was there ever a period of peace/calm after that or did it get increasingly locked down?
Of course . The laid back aura. Ca lifestyle was always there. It took awhile to settle. Occasionally I go home. Obviously not the house . I walked the streets of my childhood. Pass by homes of my friends. Some where the home was. Now huge remodeling. You can take the girl out of her city not the city out of girl
We had a golden cocker spaniel growing up named Stoos, after the ski spot in Switzerland. Sweetest dog
Haha, ummm... what houses DON'T come with price tags that have commas? Asking for a friend...
Good catch 😆 I need an editor maybe! Up for the job?! Hahaah
Hahah yes! 😂❤️
also who places cameras as 'decoration' vs intentionally?
The same people who install panic rooms and call them wine cellars ☺️😆
😂😂😂😂
My mom grew up on an Air Force base…her security was the military lol. All this to say- this was so interesting and in depth Carson!
This is fascinating. I’ve thought about the wealthy and security a lot, especially in LA where there was this spike in high profile home break-ins.They can spend enormous amounts on security, but loyalty can’t be bought, and there’s no guarantee guards won’t be infiltrated. Think about scale if your children go to school, do they need their own guards? For each kid? And if this becomes a trend, as it has in countries with extreme inequality, you start to see just how fragile the illusion of civility really is.
😬😬😬 such a scary thought
Fantastic piece! 🏡📹🚨🔔‼️
What, if any, of this kind of hardening is available or, more importantly, useful for small HOA communities? I’m on the board of my HOA. We border the main river that runs through our city; it is a foot highway for homeless people much of the year. And the north exit of our trail system is open to the public trail that runs along the river. Currently we have nothing but motion-activated lighting at this entry point.