THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Systems and methods for deterring theft are provided. In one embodiment, a system for deterring theft comprises a strain gauge configured to measure the strain on a mounted security device to obtain a strain measurement. A strain monitoring circuit is configured to compare the strain measurement to a predetermined threshold to determine if the strain measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be indicative of an attempted theft by a perpetrator. The strain monitoring circuit is further configured to output a trigger signal if the strain measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold. The system further includes a controller configured to provide preset output control signals to one or more theft deterrent devices in response to receiving the trigger signal. The preset output control signals may be configured to cause the one or more theft deterrent devices to invoke at least one fear-potentiated startle response in a perpetrator