[Charles22]

Don't waste the money. Instead, waste it on a home CCTV system so when you do get burglarized, you will at least have some evidence to show the police.

[Danknee]

Originally Posted by Charles22

Don't waste the money. Instead, waste it on a home CCTV system so when you do get burglarized, you will at least have some evidence to show the police.

I have insurance for belongings, once they are stolen I don't want them back. Personally I'm concerned about protecting people and pets only. Cameras make a good deterrent though and the latest ones make pretty cool toys. Their ability to be viewed live on your phone and capture video based on motion triggers (then email, send you an alert to live view, etc.) has me installing a full system because I'm a nerd.

If you want evidence though, make sure that your CCTV system is uploading to a remote server. Also, don't forget to secure your modem/router in a secure spot with a battery backup and that you have a camera setup to view where your power and/or internet and/or telephone lines are likely to be cut. Lower resolution cameras are fine for motion triggers and close views, but you may want to consider high res in places where you want to capture a license plate or something more detailed.

[orca17]

The problem I've been running into is that ADT keeps buying the companies I sign up with. I wind up stuck with ADT regardless of who I sign up with. It has happened to me twice. ADT is not my favorite company. I suppose that their service is OK, but their prices are high and I was really put off when they charged me a double payment when they bought out my last alarm company because the billing cycles were different.

[gvc8]

Originally Posted by crazy_bd

Where did you get this info from? Any reference perhaps?

On the other hand, the unarmed ADT guy isn't going to risk his life for your property either...? So when he calls the cops for you, it still would be the same result?

well, you may not have to personally talk the the police, but the alarm company has to call you to verify that the alarm going off wasnt a "false alarm", before being dispatched. but if your lying on the floor bleeding out, I dont see how that's going to help you. the alarm company will go down a list of phone numbers that you supply to try to contact you or a relative or neighbor you provide the numbers for. by the time it may be verified that an alarm is legitimate, it may be too late.

[crazy_bd]

Originally Posted by gvc8

well, you may not have to personally talk the the police, but the alarm company has to call you to verify that the alarm going off wasnt a "false alarm", before being dispatched. but if your lying on the floor bleeding out, I dont see how that's going to help you. the alarm company will go down a list of phone numbers that you supply to try to contact you or a relative or neighbor you provide the numbers for. by the time it may be verified that an alarm is legitimate, it may be too late.

All true, but the same goes for any alarm system. I would get an alarm system for theft deterrent, basically to not come back after a business trip and find the house turned upside down. For personal protection, dogs or guns would be the way to go.

[Vegas Joe]

Originally Posted by three1oh

hey,

this board has been great in helping me settle in on my recent move to vegas. my new home has an alarm built in, it looks kind of old, but it should still work fine. Need to get a monthly monitor company and i guess have someone come out to make sure the alarm is ok and that zones are set up where i want them to be.

Anyone have some recommendations for a good and honest company with affordable monthly rates?

thanks again!

Be careful about who you choose. It would be better if you paid upfront for the system and not sign a contract. Most alarm companies are more criminal than the people they want to keep out of your house. If you do sign a contract, read it very very carefully. Many of them say the alarm company can raise the price anytime they want and you just have to suck it up. Others will tell you that their rate is $14 a month but the contract will say that is only for the first 6 months of a 5 year contract and after 6 months you have to pay the real rate of $35 a month. Another thing they do is put in what they call a sneak renewal in which the contract automatically renews unless you send them a written letter by certified mail during a certain few days before the contract expires.

[Kalbo]

Alarms only let you know someone broke in. Most thieves know they can be in and out with a few quick items to sell for drugs before anyone can respond.

Better to put a Strike Master on the door and security film on the windows to keep them out.

[Heyygirl]

Having been a victim of a break in (quiet) and rape by a total stranger that went on for several hours, on top of terrorizing my children, I have never been particularly worried about someone coming and slamming through a door loudly and stealing "stuff". My concern is to discourage a would be assailant. He would be less inclined to approach a home with monitored alarms vs nothing, hence I always have one anywhere I live, including our Las Vegas home. DM me for the name of the company I use there. I have been with them for over a year with no fee hikes and have been treated with complete respect.

[gvc8]

Originally Posted by Vegas Joe

Be careful about who you choose. Most alarm companies are more criminal than the people they want to keep out of your house. I.

yeah, and I would also suspect those minimum wage "security agents" they send to verify alarm if they cant get in touch with you. my paranoid nature is asking what would stop one of those guys from going to your house after an alarm went off and break in themselves to steal your stuff and then blaming it on the supposed robber that tripped the alarm in the first place?

[Vegas Joe]

Originally Posted by Heyygirl

Having been a victim of a break in (quiet) and rape by a total stranger that went on for several hours, on top of terrorizing my children, I have never been particularly worried about someone coming and slamming through a door loudly and stealing "stuff". My concern is to discourage a would be assailant. He would be less inclined to approach a home with monitored alarms vs nothing, hence I always have one anywhere I live, including our Las Vegas home. DM me for the name of the company I use there. I have been with them for over a year with no fee hikes and have been treated with complete respect.

Actually just a fake security sign in the yard works just as well.