Home Security Systems

Armored Gorilla

There's been a rash of break-ins in my neighborhood. The most recent was in broad daylight at my neighbors' home (we share the same driveway). I'm thinking it's time to invest in some sort of security. I'm completely capable of looking up home security systems myself online, but I wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations in particular or good experiences with US-based companies. Any help is appreciated.

spool32

The biggest, baddest warning I can give you: If the company wants to install the equipment for free and make you sign a contract for service, walk away immediately. Do not sign a service contract.

Do not sign a service contract.

Buy the equipment and find a company that will monitor you on a month-to-month basis, letting you cancel whenever you want with no repercussions. If yo sign a contract you are in for a nightmare of horrible customer service, abusive bill collectors, and legal fees.

SeñorAmor

As I work for a security and alarm monitoring company, I echo spool's sentiments. They'll offer free equipment but you have to sign a 5 year contract. I would suggest a small mom-and-pop security company to do the install (or help you with it) and find someone else to do the monitoring (like my company ).

What type of system are you looking to install? Burglary only (i.e. doors, glass breaks, motion detectors), or burglary + fire (smoke detectors)?

One big thing you want to check into is if you live in a Verified Response area. In a VR area, police likely will not be dispatched until someone makes a positive visual that a break-in has occurred. If you're out of the house and someone breaks a window, the dispatch center will call you to run back home, verify that your window is broken and THEN call the cops. More and more areas are becoming VR-only as it's a big relief from false alarms and drastically cuts down on the manpower needed to run a police force.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Armored Gorilla

I'm looking for burglary only. My neighbors are also having a 4 camera DVR installed looking at the driveway. I'll have to call up the local police and check on the VR.

Romero Zombie

I've never heard of a VR before...to me it seems kind of pointless of having an alarm in the first place. Come home and find your stuff broken into? Time to call the cops...just paying an alarm company to find out quicker.

In most cities out here, PD responds for all alarms unless a homeowner is on site and can give a password indicating accidental activation or whatever, which is what I would look for if I were you. Also a really nice audible alarm is great because not only is ear piercingly loud to your intruder, but it also alerts your neighbors which is a great deterrent.

As far as cameras go, they are really only going to be useful if you or the officer investigating recognizes the intruder. I can't tell you how many times I had a crystal clear shot of a guy and not have any idea who it is. Even after sending it out to my agency and surrounding agencies only to never hear anything back. Take Phoenix for example, I get a video of a young Hispanic male, short hair with no discernible tattoos or other identifying features, it will be almost impossible to identify the kid...and forget about have media play it. Unless the guy killed someone, it just isn't good enough news for most outlets sadly.

If alarms aren't your thing though, a bad ass rottweiler I've found is the greatest burglary deterrent.

SeñorAmor

Armored Gorilla wrote:

I'm looking for burglary only. My neighbors are also having a 4 camera DVR installed looking at the driveway. I'll have to call up the local police and check on the VR.

What are you thinking of covering? Doors? Windows? Motion detectors? Sump pump? Garage? How many total devices do you think you'll have?

Thundyrkatz

We had a similar situation where there were a rash of daylight burglaries and our neighbor across the street was broken into. We went with ADT, the national carrier and not the local subcontractors. I guess there is a big difference. We did sign a contract for 2 years, and everything has been great so far. I have not experienced any customer service shenanigans. In fact the salesman talked us down from the more expensive options and saved us a bunch of cash.

We have motion detectors and door alarms. We were told that the least expensive option is to put a motion detector in a room rather then trying to put one on every window. Then putting them on the doors as that is a likely travel point for criminals hauling away your stuff.

To be honest, if a thief rolls up to your house and sees that you have an alarm sign out front, and stickers on the window. He is more likely to find a neighbor who does not advertise an alarm system. If he still breaks in, chances are he is looking for something specific in your house... like the diamond encrusted 90" flat screen you can watch TV on from your neighbors house.

Also, if you go through all the hassle of getting a system, don't forget to turn it on.

Oh, double Also... check with your homeowners insurance, having an alarm will likely get you a discount.

Dr. Frenchenstein

Watch out for motion detectors if you have pets. My old roommates cat would set it off constantly.

Also, depending on the company, it will be a hassle if you don't have a landline (vonage or voip works if you have always on internet). Slomins was the cheapest but they got me with that 5 year contract, and wanted like $200 extra up front, plus $5 extra a month (or something) to use my cell number.

gvandale

my buddy owns this company, the cameras/dvr setup is really good. if you are crafty with a pc you can set it up to monitor yourself through a smart phone or something.

http://www.iowasecuritysolutions.com/