home security

[oldiegoldie]

presently i have a home security system, provided by a regional security company. have been with them 7 years, and for most part i'm satisfied. their response to system problems is sporadic.

my wife of many years passed away 2 years ago, so i feel the need for an A+ security system. this is a very low crime area. i contacted ADT and they are going to be here next week, so i'll see if they have what i need.

i'd like positive or negative experiences you've had with ADT and potential traps to avoid.

thanks in advance.

 

[Kanewpadle]

ADT is the biggest, but not necessarily the best. I have had customers tell me that the alarm has failed for no known reason.

Simplisafe has fantastic reviews online.

As a locksmith, I help people daily that have been victimized. There may be other things you can do to beef up your security. Send me a PM if you like.

 

[swsig]

I have been using Protection One for years. Recently they merged with ADT. Protection One had always been very prompt to respond to service issues. After the merger, I was worried that there would be a fall-off in responsiveness, but that hasn't happened so far. When we had a problem with the smoke alarm part of our system last July, their repair guy was out to our house within a day or so, tested everything, and replaced all of our hardwired smoke detectors. Because we have a service policy (which I recommend) there was no charge. The same Protection One technician who has serviced our system for years did the work on this call, so apparently ADT is working to keep Protection One's experienced employees, which is a good sign.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Inlaws have ADT. Burglarized when they went to vote on election day. System worked perfectly. Alarms went off and response was fast, but not fast enough to stop many family valuable from being stolen.

In addition to ADT, I'd suggest keeping valuable in a safe, and video cameras.

 

[WCCPHD]

A number of years ago ADT was found to not be monitoring systems that customers were paying to be monitored. I was one of those customers and I cancelled my (lack of) service with them. I went with CPI and I am satisfied with them.

 

[chief38]

I used ADT many years ago and they were OK and I can't recall having any major issues with them.

I currently (for 23 years) use a smaller family run Company in which I am friendly with the owner and get responses within very short wait times. Not only are they quick, but they tend to hang on to their employees for many years so when service is needed I can actually request a specific Service Tech to come to the house. Most importantly, I trust their ability to get the job done right the first time and trust them in general when in my home.

They are ever so slightly more expensive, but worth every single penny when I need them!! A few years back lightning blew out my entire alarm panel circuitry and I needed two guys here over a day (my system is fairly complicated) to replace and test the new system. It cost me ZERO, all work was competently performed and I was back in business the next day.

 

[Old cop]

We’ve been w/Vector Security for several years and we’re completely satisfied, but I’m not sure they’re in your state.

 

[moosedog]

With any company monitored alarm system there is a time lapse from the time it's activated (usually a minute after breaking) then the call to a remote operator, which then dispatches to a PD, then the PD dispatches the area police if available.
By that time many items are gone as mentioned by previous posters. The best alarm is an audible that can be heard by neighbors in the area. No thief wants the attention of a blaring alarm.
The down side to this is that if not properly hooked up, accidental trips will upset both your neighbors and police.

 

[Maddog 521]

I have an ADT yard sign and it's worked 100% so far.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I have been using SimpliSafe for over 6 years. The system is easily self installed and the cost for 24/7 monitoring is $14.99 per month for the basic plan with NO contract to sign. I have never had a price increase in the past 6 years. When doing a system test I always get a conformation call in less than a minute.

The system works on WiFi as well as a self contained cell connection. It has battery backup in case of a power failure.

I had Brinks, now ADT, for a few years, but cancelled them when my contract was due for renewal. Got tired of their price increases.

Worth a look: Home Security Systems from SimpliSafe

 

[7shooter]

I had a Korean War vet neighbor who had an interesting little dog with one blue eye and one brown eye. When he would see me out in my garage he would stop by and talk about some of rough stuff he saw in Korea. It was hard for him to talk about it. I didn't ask much but just listened . One time I asked him if he was going to a Neighborhood Watch meeting that the local PD was putting on. He said no . His neighborhood watch was the 12 gauge he kept by his bed. I didn't go to the meeting either for the same reason.

 

[Rudi]

One should have multiple layers of security. Alarm, locked interior doors, safe, good hiding places, bait items, etc. Things to slow down the bad guys. I have not dealt with ADT, but know that alarm companies make their money on the monthly monitoring fees.

 

[mrchuck]

In case you don't know,ADT stands for Alarm Detection Telegraph.
I worked on one that still actually had a telegraph hooked up to it.

 

[pittpa]

I had ADT over 10 years at my house. Response to alarms was timely, but so was the call center that my girlfriend used for $12/month. Our office had ADT, and the service man told me to call the local ADT sales office, not ene of their vendors, to get "better service". I paid many hundred dollars for equipment and installation of a cellular based system that did not require a landline. I ended up at over $50/month just for monitoring. I added a second keypad downstairs at the garage door and monitored smoke detection, which is important.
I regret entering into a multiyear contract with them. I requested service 3x over the course of a couple years and every time they failed to show up in the time window (I took off work) and no phone call to let me know. I had to call them. This was in Pittsburgh.
If I had to do it over again, I would choose Simplisafe. Cellular based, cheaper equipment cost, easy to add/modify sensors to your liking, and various levels of monitoring/notification to cell phone up to $25.

 

[nachogrande]

MUCH OF THE TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED

I recently saw an interview with an incarcerated burglar, it was very informative regarding his techniques & which houses he chose/didn't & why.

 

[Tradewind36]

I've been with SimpliSafe for 5 or 6 years, no complaints. I had ADT but didn't like the cost or a contract.

 

[jscheck]

moosedog's response (number 8) is absolutely correct. I often get people asking about alarm systems/companies and if they are a good investment. I recommend them but with the proviso that they are not the perfect solution-just another line of defense.

 

[nachogrande]

DRESS YOUR HOUSE IN LAYERS.

From the way bushes are placed/trimmed to the newer wifi sent signals, cameras, outdoor/LOUD alarms, motion detectors inside & out, window films that prevent peeking in & breaking glass harder, to making the neighbors house a more attractive target... A layered system.

 

[Kanewpadle]

From the way bushes are placed/trimmed to the newer wifi sent signals, cameras, outdoor/LOUD alarms, motion detectors inside & out, window films that prevent peeking in & breaking glass harder, to making the neighbors house a more attractive target... A layered system.

You forgot the the most important thing, which would be GOOD deadbolts properly installed. That is your first line of defense.

 

[joe44va]

ADT has responded well to several incidents in the 23 years that we've had them. I'm very satisfied.