Home Security System: Help

Yea, I've used People search and White Pages.com to locate old Marine buddies that I had lost track of.

Home security systems are really that great. A cut of the incoming phone line at the box outside will disable the system from ringing the alarm company/fire/police. If you are going to use cameras, you need to hide the equipment that will be recording. Alot of the times the crooks will steal the VCR,DVR or computer that is doing the recording. Also the cameras would have to be set up on a pre-alarm system.

Not only that but a hammer hit on the electric meter disables the entire house from electrical so VCR's, TV's, Monitors, etc. unless they are equipped with a UPS, they too will be useless. If the system is like a cellular, through the air type, those too can be jammed. A well educated criminal, and many are, can and do these things all the time. Example: One sort of friend of mine took many classes for auto repair and burglar alarm systems in cars. He over did the theft stuff a little so got caught but they do teach you how to disable alarm systems in places that teach you how to install them.

I like statistics being in my favor, that's for sure. I had my house burglarized two years ago and lost about half of my coin collection, including the entire safe and all its contents (see my welcome page for more). We have a dog- that's step one. Now I'm trying to see about a security system. I have to agree with some of you that if you have a sign it should be a deterrent, not a "I have lots of goodies to steal" sign. For the average crook, I believe they would move on because their knowledge isn't likely to be high enough to know which system call the police, which ones don't etc. The ones that burglarized my house were below the average crook- left footprint on the door, and a fingerprint at the scene, leading to their conviction.

However, if you have a truly intelligent crook (which I think are few and far between), they will know about the systems, etc. Still they would have to know the contents of the house for it to be worth their while to take the high risk of going into a house with a security system. Without knowing what is inside the house (could be a button or doll collection for all they know), I'd have to think the intelligent crook would also prefer not to draw attention to the house that has a security system. I'll have to dig around for some statistics on this.

With larger home security systems with monitoring, the police station will/can charge you after the 3rd false alarm.

I think a safe deposit box would do just fine.

Besides criminals are more likely to steal things they can get quick money for, e.g. tv's, comp's, jewelry..etc.

I haven't read the entire thread. But I'll throw a few comments in. At one time in my life I was a safe and alarm tech.

1) Get an alarm system. ADT is as good as anyone else. You will get more personalized service from a smaller outfit that's been in business for many years though. Many insurance companies will give you a discount if you have a MONITORED alarm system.

2) Get a safe, and BOLT IT TO THE FLOOR.

Thieves will pick up and run with a safe that's not bolted down. Little safes are not really all that heavy, especially if there are 2 guys robbing you.

You want alarm company stickers on your windows. This will keep smart criminals out. The problem is, that most criminals are as stupid as dirt. So, you want a loud siren or bell ringing to let him know the cops are on the way. This should drive him out before he even has time to find the safe, let alone pry it up with a bar.

As far as guns and such. Well, they do you no good what so ever when you're not home. And guns don't make noise to wake you up in the middle of the night if a window is opened. Most dogs are not trained well enough to ignore the piece of meat the bad guy just threw at them.

Safes are generally either rated for fire OR burglary. A few have both ratings, but not many. Burglary is more secure against intrusion. Fire is less secure that way, but protects the coins from the heat of a fire. However, some fire rated safes are humid. You need to check that out. I really never had to give any thought to coin collections when I was in the safe business. Some guys I used to work with used to make a burglary safe "Fire-proof" by gluing fire-proof drywall on all the external surfaces. I really do not know if that is effective though.

You may even want to buy a decent safe, and bolt it down somewhere hidden. Then buy a Walmart cheapie safe and leave it where it can be easily found. Maybe put a picture of a lollipop (sucker!) in it for the bad guy when he opens it later.

Hope this helps.

I've read further through the thread. Wanted to add a couple of things. Cutting the phone line..... Cellular back up or radio links are not that expensive. And the phone line can be "supervised" so that if it's cut, it will ring the siren. Hopefully your neighbor will look out the window and call the cops if he sees the guy.

Also, as far as defeating the alarm, or jamming the cellular. Most crooks are not that smart or crafty. And the ones that ARE will be prowling around Beverly Hills, not my neighborhood.

Cameras? Well, they don't make noise and call the cops. Maybe you can get a picture to show the cops. If they know the guy, they might be able to get him a couple of hours after he sells off your coins. Home owners, and most businesses really should be interested in scaring off intruders, not capturing them.

You can not stop stop a determined, smart, and talented crook. But, if you make it hard, the smart ones will probably just keep on moving. I worry more about some crack-head or imbecile crook than I do about the crafty ones.

I don't think it matters whose system you use, thay all work, but don't rely on the police or security guards to turn up quickly. As a couple of others have mentioned before, noise is the best deterent. Make sure you have a siren outside and lots of screamers inside. The screamers will disorientate the thief. He won't be able to think straight and will just want to get out of there. I know when mine goes off I have trouble just trying to remember the PIN so I can shut the thing off.

Steve

I have a Glock 19mm and he has 18 of his friends (black talons) that run a lot faster than any thief! I also keep most of my stuff off site.
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That's a good start but what if they break in while you're not home? The Glock wont do alot of good dont you think?