Home security systems

[arjay]

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

 

[kennyb]

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.

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

 

[Rastoff]

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.

 

[Kanewpadle]

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.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

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?

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

 

[Hack]

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.

 

[gfy1960]

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?

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