I'm moving into a new apartment in August and I'm thinking of having a wireless ADT security system installed as protection for when I am not home. The apartment isn't in a bad neighborhood or anything (it's a college town), I just like knowing that I have the extra security. I think I'm a little paranoid ever since my brother had his apartment burglarized a few years ago but luckily insurance replaced all of his belongings. Does anyone have any opinions/experiences with ADT or similar security system companies?

Yes I do, and I am not impressed with ADT.
My recommendation is to use a locally owned alarm company if possible. I have quite a bit of experience in this regard.
Jim

I've had Smith-Thompson for years, and I'm very happy with them. A few years ago, when our internet company finally stopped requiring a land line for DSL (it comes into the house on its own, separate cable pair) we canceled our land line. I thought I was going to have to cancel our alarm service as well...but they came out and installed a wireless uplink, so it works on a cell phone device rather than a land line. (it has its own cellular device, it doesn't use my cell phone.) Their service is very reasonable, IMO...I pay $55 a quarter for monitored service, with all doors and windows alarmed, motion sensors, and two panels.

We've used ADT here for 12 years and have been happy with them. I've had some false alarms in that time and they handled them well.

I've used a local company in the past and had a good experience with them. The problem is that this is a very small college town and the only locally owned business is not well reviewed. I like some of the features that ADT offers like the fact that it's wireless and allows me to move the system when I need to move apartments again. They also have a feature that lets you monitor your system from your phone or computer which is a plus.

D....What floor is this apartment on? If 2nd or above I might rethink everything. Does the door have a deadbolt and seem to be adequately secure when closed and locked? Is it well lit? Is your door in close proximity to your neighbors? If "yes" then IMO, a security system (for just security) might be overkill. If the only realistic way in is thru the door and that would take some time and create a hellava racket or quite a bit of exposure. I think those sorts of things are a pretty good deterrent.

If you have renter's insurance and they'll give you a good-sized break on monitoring and premiums and/or if you want them to monitor CO2, smoke and fire then "maybe".

As far as ADT, they are just ok in our area. I'd ask around in the town where the apartment is located. Both for crime rates and for quality security companies.

YMMV.

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paws for friendship

Check with your apartment manager first. Anything mounted to the wall will be a no no.

I noticed ADT and a few other companies have units that install wireless without any hardware/drilling. The downside to that is that the batteries have to be checked regularly.

.....APX/Vivint. Their alarm monitoring is excellent but their business practices are horrible and it has gotten them into legal trouble. Now I have Power Home Technologies but I haven't had a chance to form an opinion there. I would make sure that whatever company you use has a local office.

My early warning/security system:

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Freedom isn't free.

We have ADT wireless and so far satisfied with it.

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Jorge

Before you do the alarm system look up the local police liaison and ask if they respond any differently to an alarm call than they would a normal call.

I have to agree with the sentiment that a local company that not only installs the system but also does lock work for you is the best idea...they have a vested interest in you, otherwise you are just part of a huge national company that may or may not have the response time as effective as your local company. I have had a recent false alarm where I had put a large diameter power cable under my roll up door to my shop, the alarm set correctly and everything seemed fine. A heavy wind came up early in the morning with enough force to cause that roll up door to move enough to seperate the magnets enough to cause it to set off the silent alarm. I was dead asleep and the phone rang, I let it go with the "Who the hell is calling me at 2:30am?" It rang a short while later when my back up called me...I let that go, at 2:45 my doorbell rang, I got up and there were two uniforms and it suddenly dawned on me. We went out to the shop everything was OK, I got hit with the false alarm but thats OK...I really appreciated that quick response time. We had another false alarm years ago regarding the front door which led to us getting dinged for this one.

I've had experience with alarms and home invasions for 32 years.
Most alarms are silent alarms and take a minute or longer to trip and activate. All the monitored alarms have a remote dispatch who answers the alarm, trys to make contact to verify, then contacts the police. You've already lost about two to three minutes or longer.
The police dispatch gets the call and then puts it out to an availible car. About at least one more minute lost.
Unless the responding unit is parked in front of the address, it will take several minutes (ideal reponse time) to 15 minutes or longer (more likely response time).
The bad guys know this and grab what they can quickly and flee.
I prefer a loud speaker alarm that causes everyone in the area to take note of the noise. I also like motion detector lights.
Bad guys don't like attention when they are doing something bad. The audible alarm with cut down the amount of time the bad guy stays in your house or if he even enters it after tripping the alarm.
With an apartment, it may be hard to achieve this.
Just my two cents.

How is the wireless alarm? Is it loud enough that it would alert my neighbors?

And thanks for all the responses, guys. You're making me consider a lot more things than I had before.

I work with alarm companies on a regular basis. Mainly installers and salesmen. I can't recommend any but ADT does NOT impress me at all. I would stick with a local company.

Besides, I don't care for the scare tactics ADT uses in their commercials.

Apartment are difficult to secure. Especially large apartment communities. Normally all of the apartments are master keyed so they can get in if there is an emergency. Problem is employees come and go and they don't keep track of those keys.

And yes, I would check with the management. Most often, they don't allow alarms or upgrades to door locks.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I used to live down in the city of Columbus OH. Moved to the suburb a while back. We were just a street over from April Lane business park. I called the police three times in one hour telling them about an alarm going off at the business park, they would not come unless I told them the address. I gave the dispatcher mine and said they can come here and follow the sound if they need to.
Year or so after that I sent the wife to a massage one sat morning just a couple months after she gave birth to our first. Two kids on drugs drove into our driveway so fast they left skid marks on the road, bounced off the side of my truck and took out the side wall of our garage. It was a one car garage and I was sitting on the couch on the other side of the other wall holding my son as he slept, if they had hit that side of the garage they would have ran us over. When the police finally came 30 minutes later the two kids had walked to their parents house and took a quick shower and changed clothes so they didn't smell like drugs anymore. I later asked the police why they took so long when the alarm went off and they said they don't give them any priority over any other calls. I cancelled the ADT service when I moved and call them and complain every time one of their sales droids calls me and tries to scare me into a worthless alarm system that does nothing but annoy the police.

I can vouch for this my stepbrother was robbed and killed in a large apartment complex. Police said looked to be a inside job as a key was used to enter while he was asleep, but this was the same police that didn't find the 12ga murder weapon in the sewer drain within 100 ft of his body. Baltimore City, never found his murderer. This is a large complex only two levels not the greatest part of town.
You can say F*** the management and deal with them when and after the alarm goes off. What can they do, make you leave and charge for holes in the wall if any but they will do that anyway. Most of the time you don't get you deposit back anyhow they always seem to find something damaged.
Remember management has their so called rights to inspect their property with proper notification and if you tell them and they let you have a alarm they will want the code but chances are they won't let you have it if you ask.
Best is to have enough apartment insurance to replace stolen items, juts make sure you know what they cover.
First alarm will bring the wrath of management upon you.

You haven't asked the right questions --- here are some answers worth considering ---

1. All of the hardware is more or less fungible, most alarm companies use the same devices.

2. Wireless devices use radio signals to communicate with the control panel, and don't require sometimes damaging or unsightly installations of wiring, but do require maintenance of batteries.

3. Most alarm systems rely on very vulnerable phone lines to communicate with the monitoring "central station" --- if your phone lines are, as most are, externally exposed and easily cut, your alarm is useless. A cell phone connection is a necessity.

4. Any alarm system is no better than the personnel operating it, most of whom would make the TSA proud, and earn false positives on IQ tests. Your only quality check is whether or not the monitoring firm and its "central station" are certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which demands strict standards for certification, insurance essentials for high-value burglary risks such as banks, jewelers, gun shops, &tc.

5. Arrange code or passwords for yourself and trusted friends to defeat your own defenses, and to permit official entry by cops, EMTs, etc.

6. Protect every possible point of entry, and, add, various internal zone sensors --- motion detectors of various sorts, pressure mats, etc., enough allowing alert of intrusion while you're fast asleep...

I have a very good friend from church who is a Woman in her '70s. She is a widow, and she asked for my opinion on ADT since she knows I own a Contract Security company and am a Private Investigator. We talked, and she told me about their rather high-pressure sales tactics. I asked if she wanted me to be there when they came to her house and she gratefully said yes. I then contacted a local alarm company that had installed alarms in two homes of one of my female clients. The owner told me quite a bit about that company, including the fact that their alarm boxes can be smashed on the wall, effectively disabling the system. He gave me a really good "ballpark" figure for an installation. I told my friend and she cancelled the meeting with ADT. They were quite upset, and took a very long time to return her deposit. She ended up getting one of those necklaces from the hospital that you can push a button and summon help. Costs $25 per month. I think that is a very good deal for older folks. My Mom also has one.

The alarm business is VERY competitive. I trust this local company, and their system works very well. My client trusts me implicitly, and has given me, at her insistence, keys to her homes. I am second on the call list after her if the alarm goes off. A few years ago she was out of state and I got a call from the alarm company at 0503 hrs. They said her fire alarm was going off, and the fire dept. had been dispatched. I was a key-holder, so I had to meet them there. Rolled out of bed and let the firefighters in. No fire. It was from a lightning strike. Re-set the alarm, sent my client a text message and went home and went back to sleep. I was impressed with the system.

Made my client take me out for crawfish etouffe when she got home.
Jim

i have ADT and have been entirely pleased

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Why? How many times has the system saved you from burglary or fire?

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Freedom isn't free.

Well, I own my old house on the edge of a small but nasty city with several imported drug gangs and assorted local idiots.

I have a steel front door with 3 locks- I have the only keys - a 6' high wooden fence around the yard with 2 padlocked gates and solar lights...but my alarm system consists of my dogs Jasper, a Lab/Rottweiler at 110 pounds and Rocco, a Lab/Spaniel at 74 pounds.

They wake up the old man with the Mossberg 500 and the 2 Ruger .357 magnums, and then it hits the fan.

mark

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Liberals made the USA

Here is something to think about, for what it's worth. A local gun shop here had every possible protection system in place, alarms, cameras inside and out, and a direct line to the police dept. about one mile away. The crook came at about 2 am smash the glass in the front door and cleaned out the handgun case, 14 guns worth 8500.00. It took the cops only 4 minutes to get there, way to long. A total of 45 seconds to get in and out and a stroll through the back parking lot.
Bottom line, if they want your stuff bad enough, they're going to get it.

My service door to the garage got kicked in just prior to our moving here when my buddy owned the place. ADT called the police who responded very quickly but the outside alarm horn scared the burglar away. Neighbor saw him drive off and gave a description to the police but too late to catch him.
Cost was a new service door which the insurance company covered and some shook up cats. No the alarm didn't catch the bad guy but it saved a lot in way of robbery.

That's the biggest reason why I want one. While I know a burglar can get in if they really want to, they don't like the attention of a loud alarm and having one will serve as an initial deterrent. I like being able to make my residence less attractive to a burglar by having an alarm.

We have ADT and have always been treated well by them. Their service is
very satisfactory.

I agree with this guy, if they want it they are going to get it.

Now a couple things with this: the guy who hit the gun store knew exactly what he was going for. The average cat burglar does not know what is in the house, they are in it for a quick smash and grab. They usually come in through a low window or sliding glass door. A loud audible siren on a home security system will likely compel them to leave fairly quickly. But if they see a large gun safe, they might be back.

An observation about the gun store robbery: They left their guns in the case overnight? In my experiences with gun shops, that's a big no-no. Everything in the cases goes in the safe(s) at nights, or some have hardened display cases with roll-down doors for long guns.

I personally experienced a burglary a few years ago. I did not have an alarm, or gun safe at the time. I was on vacation, thousands of miles away, so that pretty much ruined my vacation. When I got back, I was relieved that they did not take much. But I immediately got an alarm. I met with several different alarm companies, but ended up going with a local company. ADT seemed all smoke and mirrors and high pressure tactics to me. My system is also wireless, AND cellular, it does not depend on a land line to work. Also I made a point to have an external siren installed. Apparently most now do not have this by default, you have to ask for it, I actually had to pay an additional charge, but it was worth it.

I have hard wire, wasn't impressed with wireless, and I used cell phone to call the central house, then using phone line ever since I got U-Verse were all they have to do is cut little wire going into the house to kill out going signal.

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USAF/RET. 1966-1990

To be honest I have ADT home security and have the video camera package as well around my house and never had any problems with ADT or they're customer service whats so ever. When I first had the package installed the installer from ADT came out showed me how the package worked via my iPhone, Macbook Pro and iPad. I really do enjoy they're service I am paying $53.49 for home wireless security and video camera.

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Shoot like a pro!

I dont have a "real" alarm system but I used to live at a place that I placed a "fake company" sticker in the window of my front door-a couple other windows and a fake yard sign--never had any probs.

I just called my apartment to double check if they allow wireless security alarms and the lady there said they don't have any problems with them. So as of now I think I'll get the wireless ADT system unless I have better luck finding a good local company before my move-in date.

Yes, this is a perfect example of what not to do. He left thousands of dollars worth of guns unprotected. Why wasn't there any bars on the door ans why weren't the guns in a safe? These two minor changes and the outcome would have been different.

Alarms are great, but they only notify the police that stuff is already gone. Further, cops don't respond with urgency to home alarms because most are false.

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Freedom isn't free.

obviously,you have no idea...i have over 30 years as a LEO/investigator and have seen over and over that alarms can and do work...not perfect always but they do work...how about you?

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My family has used an ADT system for 6 years and are very pleased with the results. We have a wireless system with cell phone only communication- no phone lines to get cut. Their sales tactics and customer service have been very professional. The only "false" alarms we experienced occurred when a motion detector battery level dropped too low, and was promptly replaced. The system worked as intended when the back door has blown open from the wind (not latched properly), or when I asked my brother to stop buy and forgot to give him the code.

The key reason why we like the alarm is that it provides an additional layer of protection and perhaps a few more seconds of notice in case somebody broke in during the night. Don't relay on alarms alone!

We will definitely get a new ADT system when we move, and I am recommending them for my parent's new house as well.

Yes, I do you have an alarm security systems in my home and I'm currently using motion sensor security lighting since 12 years and till now I didn't find any kind of problem, previously I had ADT but it didn't me nay kind of good results.

I never said they don't work. What I was asking is why a particular person was happy with their system.

Alarms are like insurance; you have no idea how good they are until you have a need. I've made several claims on my insurance so, I can tell you they're good based on that experience. If the alarm company in question was never called upon, how can you say they're any good?

I've personally seen loud alarm systems send criminals running. This is a good thing. However, it shows nothing about the particular company. Only that a loud noise disturbed some low life scum.

I've also witnessed police response to home alarms. Some good and some not so good. I'll stand by my statement that an alarm only notifies the police that stuff is already gone. Has one ever lead the police to catch a criminal in the act? If so, I'll bet it was a silent alarm and the cop was already within 1/2 mile.

Again, alarms are great, but due diligence is better.

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Freedom isn't free.

We used to have ADT but switched over to a Local Company 18 years ago. They are less costly, have better installers, better service, and issued us a service contract for a very reasonable fee. They have more than exceeded our expectations, and the owner (a local resident) is always there when needed.

He did advise me that as advanced as the wireless systems have become over the last few years, the best way to go is still hard wired. Nothing to foul up with all the radio waves, remote controls, and neighbors near by. We listened and have not had any issues at all.

Some parts of the alarm system to consider:

* hard wired smoke detectors
* hard wired heat detectors
* hard wired low temp. detectors
* water (on the floor) detectors
* panic switch in the bed room
* a separate keypad for your gun safe or room with a separate code.

audible alarms,at least in this area are a thing of the past....police response is based on number of staff and priority of calls for service...you state u have seen a police response....i was the response for over 30 years and can say many,many ppl.are locked up due to alarms (silent and audible) the last burglar i caught on premise was at a very loud audible alarm....he told me he thought that noise was a passing fire truck so...your statement clearly holds no water...
my alarm system pays its own rent by way of my lowered insurance costs for alarm installation
you may not have any idea how efficient your system is,i on the other hand have a very clear idea how mine in fact is...
i agree as to your remark regarding dilligence however....whats your dilligence when you are away from home?friends etc.checking is added security but i'll be keeping my security sys.on

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Are audible alarms illegal where you live?

As you say, police response is not necessary, but a decision based on availability and priority. This is what I'm driving at. Like I said, alarms are great, but not the whole answer.

I know people who believe they are safe because they have a gun. Even though they've never shot that gun and really have no idea how to defend themselves. I also know people who don't lock their doors because they have an alarm system. Yes, that's right, it's not just criminals who are stupid. And that's what I'm driving at. You still have to lock your doors and secure your valuables.

I'm glad that you responded with gusto to every alarm call you had. I'm also glad you caught several bad guys.

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Freedom isn't free.

Get the audible alarm if you can (ADT).It's so loud and painful that it will drive them out of the house.Ive managed to set off a friends alarm a time or two :-)

who said a single thing about not locking doors?i think your focus continues to shift about...believe it or not i'm fairly well versed regarding criminal behavior

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My focus is now, as it always has been, that alarms are only supplemental.

I've never once questioned your ability regarding criminal behavior. I don't even see how it's relative.

I'll ask again, are audible alarms illegal where you live? I'm curious because I've never heard of that before.

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Freedom isn't free.

I've said this several times here regarding home security.

Home security should be layered. You should not count on one more than the other. As a security professional, I have seen alarm systems work or fail miserably. Alarm systems are NOT magical nor are they a guarantee. I've seen them fail. And I've back up systems fail and cell phone systems fail. And the alarm companies said "oh well".

I have seen and heard video and audio of commercial and residential burglaries and home invasions. It ain't pretty. And in all cases the home/business owner had a quality alarm and signs posted as such. The signs were not a deterrent. And in all cases the bad guys entered very easily. Some bad guys were scared away by the initial alarm and some were not. In one case the bad guys returned the next night!

And when considering police response, use some common sense. Police will respond to residential alarms quicker IF they can. But believe it or not they may get a call that takes priority.

When a customer asks me what they should do, I use this analogy. "If I can quickly kick in your door with one kick, alarm or no alarm, how far into your house do you think I can go before you figure out what's going on?" The answer is "at least half way". And if I make it half way into your home, you most likely lose any advantage you may have had. Especially if your kids are at the other end of the house.

Your perimeter should be your first line or layer of defense. Good lighting. Strong doors with HIGH QUALITY deadbolts PROPERLY installed.

But as usual, some people don't get it and learn the hard way. And I'm sick of seeing good people go through things like this because they didn't take it seriously. But once it happens, it changes your life forever.

Be prepared. Plan ahead.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I'll give you some insider advice :-)

I am an Armed Security Patrol Officer by profession.

ADT will NOT protect your home.

See this is how ADT works.

Some guy in slacks shows up with a bunch of boxes and wires and rigs up your home to the ADT system.

Once the alarm is activated and you leave it is "monitored" by ADT.

If someone attempts to break in a signal is sent to ADT within 90 seconds of the alarm going off. Another guy in slacks in an office gets this signal on his computer and calls your home phone. *this takes another 2 minutes*. A audible alarm goes off inside your home as well.

If you do not answer the phone the guy in slacks calls the Police and says "This is kyle at ADT, we have a suspected burglary at such and such address".

Then the Police dispatcher calls a unit which may or may not be in the area and dispatches them to your residence. This can take up to another 5 minutes to even get an officer on their way, IF there is one available in the area, IF not they wait for one to be available or for the officer to drive to your home.

The whole process can take up to 30 minutes.


Now most home burgers take 5-10 minutes to enter your home, grab all your goods and disappear. Leaving the police to enter a open home, with a bunch of stuff tossed around and really no good leads on who, what or where they went with your stuff.

So generally its useless.

My advice is to hop in the phone book and find a local armed patrol company that does alarm installations.

What will happen then is an Armed officer in a marked patrol car will come out to your home. With a box and a bunch of wires, wire up your home to be monitored by THEIR dispatch.

Now what happens when a burglar breaks in, is an audible alarm will go off, and a signal will be placed to the companies dispatch who will immediately dispatch a car with 2 officers to your residence. They will then CALL your home phone. If you answer and give them your code they will cancel the call. If not they will dispatch another unit with 2 more officers and notify the local PD and tell them that their officers are en-route to your home. Within usually 5 minutes that unit will arrive, enter your home with weapons drawn and usually catch the guys in the act, thus saving your belongings , money and time. Then the PD will arrive when they get there and book the perps.

Also these armed units will patrol your neighborhood usually on an hourly basis looking for suspicious persons around your home. Sometimes catching them before they break in , but more importantly letting everyone in the area know that your home is monitored by guys with guns :-D

Its a bit more expensive but you get what you pay for :-)

I had the ADT Pulse (wireless) system installed in May. I didn't find the salesperson to be 'high pressure' or using any scare tactics. The installers were timely, professional, and helpful.

Yes, there is a lag in time before The Law is called. I have ADT call myself, then my wife's cell, before contacting The Law. My experience, in the few cases of us triggering false alarms, is that those calls have all been made rapidly. Luckily, we have avoided having The Law come out because of the false alarms.

In my 'hood, most burglaries are committed by teenagers. A few by pros during vacation times (Christmas used to be a biggie), when people are away. The most frequent of these are crimes of opportunity, where someone leaves the garage door open, and they lose their golf clubs, lawn mower, bikes, tools, etc.

I don't have the video option, or the CO, water, or fire sensors. But I went a bit 'overboard' on sensors, a number of which the installer even said were redundant. I like the Chime feature, that will alert us if a door is opened when the system isn't armed. Nice if I'm in the basement or upstairs working. Another feature is the ability to 'by-pass' certain sensors, but arm the system. I can have one of the windows open, but still have an operational alarm.

My suggestion is to first contact the local PD and the college PD and see if they keep statistical crime reports for the area.
Our university puts out a report every month, and hot spots for crime are noted. This may give you an idea of the kind of protection to put in the new place.

Get to know your neighbors well. Most robberies are deterred because a neighbor noticed something different than the norm.

Good luck in your new home. Mike