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Talk to me about security systems
If you are my fb friend you might have read this but last night (Friday night) 4 armed, masked me broke into a house in my neighborhood. They entered through the basement (apparently managing to get the lock open without doing any damage to the door) and then barged into the main floor with guns drawn. There were 3 residents home watching TV. They made them lie on the floor and then forced them into closets. They stole jewlery and other valuables staying in the house for about 45 minutes. This is an almost identical home invasion to one that happened exactly 2 weeks earlier about 5 miles from here. Nobody was hurt in either incident but it's still fvcking scary!
We have a very old securty sytem in our house but honestly have no freaking clue how to operate it. I'd like an updated system and I want it monitored. The catch, we don't have a home phone and don't want one. Are there any companies out there that work without a home phone? How much does monitoring generally cost? Do most companies install a system for free if you sign a monitoring contract? I know I've seen commercials for that but wasn't sure if that was common.
I really apprecaite any help you girls can give me!!
Re: Talk to me about security systems
Wow! That's really scary! I hope the family was ok!!!
Clark Howard has some good advice for buying a security system here. We don't have a contract for our security system and pay about $18/month for monitoring. My brother is a police detective that investigates burglaries (among other crimes). He says one of the biggest deterrents is a big dog that has a loud bark.
Will the police in your area do a home security evaluation? I know in Smyrna you can request that the community liaison police officer come to do an evaluation on your home to tell you where you can improve the security; it's free and takes about half an hour. We installed some motion detection lights and trimmed bushes that were covering a window after we had one done. We also have a very active community watch in my neighborhood. Maybe someone in your neighborhood could work to get one started.
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Oh no! That's horrible. We had our house broken into (broke the window), but we weren't home. Also, nothing was taken which is fortunate but really weird. Our friend owns a security company based in Suwanee, GA--SSP (Southeastern Security Professionals). We have a security system with 4 cameras and a DVR that records everything, 9 glass breaks, and 7 window and door alarms. They call our cell phone if there's break-in. They also insure all their stuff for two years. I'm not sure how much it costs (can't remember), but it's not expensive and includes installation in the price.
http://www.sspro.biz/
That is very very scary. I have Protection One with cell phone backup incase someone cuts the phone line, so they should be able to monitor your home without a home phone line.
That said. a security system would not have prevented the scary situation described on the OP. So after getting a system, please look into getting security doors. I used a company by the name of Ornamental security. They have all sorts of designs, for example the bars on my back windows look like window panes. There are also storm doors with very strong glass, which deter that type of thing. I am so sorry that happened, something similar happened to a neighbor of mine last November. It was carried out by the criminals who terrorized the city starting with the shooting of the guy in Virginia Highlands.
~~~MARRIED BIO~~~
The second bar posted is supposed to be very good. I used it on my doors before I got security doors and a storm door. My In-laws used it when they lived in New York in the 70's. They were so common there was actually an indentation near the door where people would stick the bar. I believe it makes the door very very difficult to kick in.
we have that one too! It won't STOP someone, but it'll make it harded to get in and give you time to load your gun(s)...
I agree tho - reinforced doors/windows may give you more peace of mind in your home.
Call me Kat =^..^=