get a security system?

[Goldy1]

I love my neighborhood overall. I feel safe and at home here. However, it is not without its crime. It was ranked one of the safest cities in the nation to live of its big size)
However, I read the crime blog in the local paper weekly and it always has me a bit scared. I am not reading of armed invasions, but unarmed mostly break ins or break in attempts(ie. window pried open, entry gained through unlocked garage) one of recent involving a woman being drug from room to room by the assailants(she was unharmed thank goodness)

My question is do you guys think a home security system is worth it? Would it be more for protecting my stuff or my family?

I take basic precautions by keeping doors locked and not storing stuff in my garage or keeping it open.


Also, I got into a discussion today about wherer or not if a family had a firearm in the home(hid in an almost impossible to find unless you knew it was there secret place in bedroom.legal and licenced, locked with a saftely thing on it, and unloaded,) would there be less of a need for a security system?
Good news is the most crimes I read of are car thefts from driveways and my cars stay in my garage.

[Broken Arrow]

Yes, I do have a security system: Me.

Seriously though, if you're a pet lover, nothing beats having a dog for detection and possibly protection.

If not, a security monitor isn't a bad investment. I'd argue that the monthly subscription type monitoring is expensive and unnecessary, but it's up to you....

All homes should have some kind of basic, passive security such as deadbolts, secured windows and patio doors, and most importantly, just being careful at all times.

Firearms.... This has been discussed before and it never fails to be controversial.... Although I am very pro-gun, I think that choice depends on how suitable one will be able to use it. The best thing to do is to find a local gun range and sign up for a basic firearms class. They're usually affordable, like $50, and highly informative. These classes can also include range time, so you'll get a chance to shoot with a rented gun, and see how comfortable you feel with it.

But please be careful about the firearms option. Not everyone is cut out to use one, and that's OK. More than anything, planning in advance (such as having a flashlight and cellphone with charger by your bed side) and a developing good security habits is the key to staying safe in your own home.

[disneysteve]

We have a centrally monitored system. Our smoke alarms are also hard wired into the same system. I think it gives peace of mind if nothing else. I also think the signs and window stickers are a bit of a deterrent at least to non-professional criminals.

Even with a system, though, the most important thing is the home owner. One of my co-workers told me recently that her neighbor was robbed. I asked if they had an alarm system. They did but it wasn't on and they had left a window open. I said they should have just left the front door open with a "rob us" sign. It is just like the unlocked garages you are reading about.

[lovcom]

I agree with Steve. Get a security system, and use it. This is far better then doing it yourself with a gun.

A gun comes into play AFTER your house is broken into.

A security system comes into play BEFORE the house is broken into because it's sensors can detect movement outside doors and windows before the intruder gets in. Mine works with sensors outside and inside...almost like having a mote around the house.

[Goldy1]

So is it ok to get one and not pay a monthly fee? My parents had one installed but do not pay the monthly fee. They set it and if a person broke in the alarm would go off(and hopefully alarm them to scat and flee) However, I read crook srob you in that few mins they know it will take cops to get ont he scene. Also I wonder if the thing would have a warranty in it.

[Goldy1]

My dog has the opposite effect. He barks at anything so I can get scared b/c of nothing.

[gertymac]

The home we bought in July has a security system but we are currently not paying the fee for monthly monitoring. Why? It's damn expensive.

We live in what is considered a rough neighborhood but feel perfectly safe here. Really, the best deterrent is the sign in the front yard that says you have a security system. I'd look in to getting one of those before I went for the whole system. And if you have to have the system, I'd skip the monitoring.

And our dog is worthless as a guard dog. He doesn't bark at anything.

[minnie1928]

For those looking to deter theft, have you considered putting signs/stickers on or around the property for an alarm company? You can buy them cheap on ebay and make it look like you have an alarm system. That might be enough to make a thief go to the next house.

[snafu]

Having suffered a break-in, I asked the police officers if any particular security system was better than another. They broke out laughing. They explained that signs on doors, windows, yard were a good idea but professional thieves like those who had just ransacked our home set a timer and are in and out in under 8 minutes. By the time the security firm does it's procedure, the thieves have departed before a car is dispatched or police called.

Do you know anyone whose home suffered an attempted break-in which was abandoned by the alarm?

Our excellent system of deadbolts and window locks, patio door safety bar didn't work because the thieves had privacy to crowbar the actual door frame and demolished the door. Someone ran in, opened the garage door so an accomplice could drive their truck into the attached garage to make loading up easy & private. They wore gloves, left no fingerprints and took all the valuables they could in their time-frame. The police noted during their quick leave, they left behind a tote bag of items gathered...but left behind...We know they used a high truck because the lightbulb in the garage had been broken

Fact is, if they want to break-in they can. Our snoopy neighbor was in hospital that particular week...she had been our best monitor and protector. Without her, the back, basement door was too private.

[Broken Arrow]

Professional burglars are in a different class from amateur ones. Amateur ones I've seen are typically teenagers who may or may not be career yet, and while they may need to pawn some of your items, overall, they lack experience and typically end up doing a sloppy job.

Professionals are the ones who are married, have children, hold down regular day jobs, pay taxes, read internet forums specializing in security and law enforcement, and could also be here on SA. They are well-armed, and more importantly, extremely organized. Their crew only come out when a "client" has a big order, and thankfully for us, they typically raid warehouses and businesses for the large quantities that they need.

Now, there are also professionals that will hit individual homes, but these are more career criminal types than they are the big score professionals like the ones I've stated above. Still, many of these careers are highly skilled, and they do have a selection process on which homes they decide to hit.

True, Radio Shack stickers on windows will do nothing to deter the skilled ones. They typically look at things that are much more subtle. For example, is your house in a place where they have a good path to run in and out of without being detected? Are your hedges and bushes large enough to provide good cover? Do you have your garbage cans out like everybody else? Do you have newspapers in your lawn when no one else does? And here's the biggest one: Do you leave your windows open and your room lights on at night? If so, it's ridiculously easy to look into your home without being detected.

In other words, what they're trying to do is to get an idea of how easy of a target you are. And yes, skilled burglars can typically tell just by looking at your house. And that's why having a security mindset is so important: You don't want you and your house to look like an easy target.

In the order of what they fear the most, a large, snarling dog is typically top of the list. Why? For one thing, it's almost impossible to escape a dog's detection. Even if your dog barks at every squirrel or pidgeon, if a burglar comes close and hears a dog barking, he knows he is already at a severe disadvantage.

The next thing after that is a home owner with a gun. Especially ones that like to turn lights on when their dogs bark. Bonus points if they can see you holding a shotgun.

After that, a house without all the subtle clues they look for to define you as an easy target. If your house does not appear to be an easy target, they will typically pass you up for ones that are. This includes having an alarm system in the house.

There is one big myth that I would like to debunk right now. A lot of advice elsewhere will tell you that you should have indoor lights and TVs on at times to make it seem like it's occupied. That's not necessarily true. Even amateurs know that lights can be rigged on timers. The biggest thing is a combination of the following: Outdoor lights on timers and/or sensors. Window shades drawn at all times, especially at night. Indoor lights on timers so long as they do not help reveal anything about house from the outside. Whether you are home or not, these subtle clues will reveal to the burglar that you are not one of those easy targets.

Another one I would like to address are monitoring systems that requires subscription. Here's what they do for you: There's an operator in front of a computer that shows that the alarm in your house has been tripped. They will call you to confirm and see if you want them to call the Police for you. That's it, and that's nothing you can't do on your own.

Finally, all of these things will not guarantee that you will still be safe. But then, there are also no guarantees in life. However, if you plan ahead and practice good safety habits, it will go a long way towards keeping you safe.

[disneysteve]

Another one I would like to address are monitoring systems that requires subscription. Here's what they do for you: There's an operator on the other end that shows that the alarm in your house has been tripped. They will call you to confirm and see if you want them to call the Police for you. But that's nothing you can't do on your own.

That is probably true IF you are home and IF you can call the police before the person who broke in gets to you.

If you are a victim of a home invasion, can't get to a phone or you aren't home when the break-in occurs, you'll wish you had that monitoring system.

[wincrasher]

I'd put security in 2 categories - personal protection and property protection.

I see no need for personal protection where I live - home invasion is really, really rare in general and I don't think anyone wants to rape my middle aged booty.

Property don't care to spend much protecting it. I have lots of insurance. I have been looking at wireless camera systems - Logitech has an interesting system, but it starts to get pricey. I wouldn't mind being able to see the comings and goings at the house while I'm away. Or have evidence if there was a break-in.

My insurance company offered a $75/year discount on my homeowners if I had a system & monitoring service. Guess that shows you how confident the insurance industry is in theses things.

[Goldy1]

Good advice. My husband was a licenced firearm owner before I met him. (He got it for the sport of target shooting with friends indoors) I am very uncomfortable with it, but have come to accept it. IT is VERY hidden in bedroom, licensed, has a lock thing on it, and is not loaded up. No one knows we have it. I am not sure I want to learn to use it or not, but I feel secure with it now since he never took it out. It might get the "get out" message across if you have to shoo an intruder off.

WE have a small fluffy lap dog, but he still barks at stuff. Maybe oen day I can get a larger dog. I really prefer small, but I have known large dogs to be very very loyal and protective. When we dog watch a family's bigger dogs, nothing gets by them protecting us.

Conflicting advice on the lights. I read keeping a bathroom light on made them really think you are home.

I refuse to live in fear, but I don't want to be naive.

If someone breaks in, I will be scared so I hope I am not home, but I don't want to leave good stuff around for them either.

[arthurb999]

Get the alarm. Arm all doors and get a motion on each floor including basement. Use it. Lock everything when you leave. Put stickers on windows and/or signs out showing you have a system.

Put deadbolts on all exterior doors including the garage entryway door. Replace the screws going into the wall frame with 3 inch wood screws. Get a charlie bar for any sliding glass doors. Make sure window locks are tight. Do whatever is necassary to secure basement windows.

Get good outdoor motion lighting. Trim bushes back so they can't hide in them while working on a window/door. Get locks on your fences. Tint your garage windows so they don't know if your car is there or not (you're home or not).

Get a safe and bolt it to the floor... put valuables in there.

You basically want to make your house harder to break in then next door...

Pretend your a thief and case your house. Figure out how they would get in and fix it.

[Broken Arrow]

That is probably true IF you are home and IF you can call the police before the person who broke in gets to you.

If you are a victim of a home invasion, can't get to a phone or you aren't home when the break-in occurs, you'll wish you had that monitoring system.

Well, that's true. It would help if you are not at home. Perhaps that will be worthwhile for some. I suppose for someone like me, who is home most of the time except during the day, it seems excessive.

Home invasion is a different category to be sure, and that is much more difficult. I plan for that as well, but so far, I've only addressed burglaries.