Monitored Home alarm system

[Krip 2]

I realize we all live in different parts of the country/world with different crime rates but I'm curious how many of you all have monitored home alarm systems installed and activated in your homes.

Any comments on personnel experience with false alarms vs actual break in's would also be appreciated.

One Jump Wonder

[airtwardo 7]

Got one...mainly because of the break we get on Home Owners Insurance for having it.

Is it worth it?

For the saving on insurance it is, as for deterring burglars...might catch a 5 year old or a bumbling drugged out idiot, but the system we have is useless if ya clip the phone line.

Best system I've come across is, a big dog barking at any movement outside...and I leave some empty brass laying around the obvious weak entry points.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[stratostar 5]

Well kind of like a reserve parachute, better to have and not need, then to need and not have.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[diablopilot 2]

Was looking into this the other day..... http://www.tattletalealarm.com/

But I like this.....

Quote

Best system I've come across is, a big dog barking at any movement outside...and I leave some empty brass laying around the obvious weak entry points.

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[EarthSucks 0]

I'm a police dispatcher, and personally I would never pay for a monitored alarm. First of all, I'd say well over 95% of the residential alarms we get are false. It's more common for commercial alarms to be actual break-ins, but the overwhelming majority of those are false, too. Residential burglar alarms are one of the most common calls that we get, and in my two and a half years working there, I could probably count on one hand how many of those I've seen that were actual. Obviously it depends on where you live, the crime rate, and all that jazz, but in my experience it's very rare to see an alarm actually catch a burglar.

And even if it is actual, it's insanely rare that the police actually show up and find somebody still in the house. I can only think of one time that that happened while I was working, and that was at a business. Here's how these things work. The alarm goes off, and the monitoring company gets the signal. They usually try to call on premise, and if they don't get an answer there, they start going down their contact list trying to get a keyholder. Only after they've done all that do they call the police. That usually takes at the very least 5 minutes, sometimes more like 15 or 20. Once we get the call, assuming there's an officer available, it takes an average of around 5 minutes for the officer to get there. If it's a busy night, there may not be anybody available, and the call will just have to hold until there's an officer to take it. So you're typically looking at an average of at least 10 minutes before the police show up. More than enough time for a burglar to get the hell out of Dodge. The cops show up, but they can't do anything but stand around and say "Yup, somebody stole your shit."

In my opinion, it might be worth it to have an alarm that makes noise, but isn't monitored by anybody. The noise would scare any potential burglars away, because how are they to know that the alarm isn't monitored? That way you don't have to pay the monthly fee, or worry about getting fined or harassed by the police department if and when your cat starts setting off your alarm.

But anyway, that's just my 2 cents, from my experience being part of the whole process. But it's just personal preference... If you've got the money, it really couldn't hurt, but I wouldn't pay for that service, because IMHO it's just not worth it.

[skymama 37]

For me, having an alarm is more about peace of mind than protecting my stuff. I like having it on at night so it will wake me from my Ambien stupor if there's an intruder. Plus, it helps me know when my kids are letting their SO's out of the house too late.

As for cost...I think it was a few hundred to install and I pay $21.50/month for monitoring.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[davjohns 1]

During the day, it encourages potential burglars to go next door where there is no alarm. At night, it lets me know if my daughter is up to something or if a target has entered my kill zone.

Studies show that a dog and an alarm system are about equal in deterrence value. Burglars just prefer easier targets.

I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet..

But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

[Andy0689 0]

Quote

During the day, it encourages potential burglars to go next door where there is no alarm. At night, it lets me know if my daughter is up to something or if a target has entered my kill zone.

Studies show that a dog and an alarm system are about equal in deterrence value. Burglars just prefer easier targets.

Ever watch that show on Discovery Channel where they break into houses and film it? There are a few when they actually stole the dog too. Talk about adding insult to injury.

We've been debating getting ours turned on too. If for no other reason than to avoid the hassle of a break in. My sister just had her house in North Carolina broken into and had a lot of stuff stolen. Big pain in the butt. Sad thing is nobody thinks they are vulnerable until they get broken into.

Andy
I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube!

[skyrider 0]

My 145 pound Rottenwieller works perfectly....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/Chopper/justpictures039.jpg

[JohnDeere 0]

We have an alarm on our house and shop. It works good for making noise in case we are home. It also has a satellite in case the phone wire is cut. But the best thing we have is a digital video surveillance system. Any dumb ass that breaks into our house or shop will most likely be screwed. It's better video than most stores have so the video is usable, not like the 7-11 video that you couldnt event notice your mom on. Get real security
http://www.eyestheredfw.com/

Nothing opens like a Deere!

You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers!

[rwieder 0]

We installed an ADT system in our new home simply because it has too many points of ingress / egress. We also installed heat sensors and carbon minoxide sensors along with motion sensors that are monitored by ADT in Austin, Texas not the SO or PD. If an alarm goe off, they confirm it with us before calling in the forces because that's the way I wanted it. I got sick and tired of paying $50.00 for setting the damn thing off myself because I was not being mindful of it's status. The freaking doors are fitted with door handles that lock your ass out of your own house unless you unlock it before you go outside. That makes a fella feel ignorant. The first time I done it, my keys to everything were inside the house, all my vehichles were locked so I couldn't use my onstar to call my wife at work and it was raining. I looked like a fool when I showed up at my wife's work after walking 2.5 miles in a driving rainstorm soaking wet, cold and embarrassed. Needless to say I have a key stashed outside somewhere now.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"