Cost of Security

Dogs are more effective.....In my opinion

My neighbors next door to me keep a dog chained in front of their house for security. I've always wondered how effective it is when it barks just the same to an approaching intruder, or an approaching leaf. Either way, it does a fine job of making sure I don't sleep so I suppose he has him to keep me on sentry duty.

My dogs aren't chained, they are in our house and if they bark something is up. They are a very good deterrent, especially my chihuahua Cujo.

A small, yappy, dog is definitely the way to go, IMO.

Do you want the number for ADT? I would imagine they have different kinds of systems so there would be more than one answer.

I have an idea. Why don't you all adt?

Here are my lessons THAT ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN IF I WERE ON THE MAIN LAND.

1. Locate in a place that is favorable to security.

2. Analize who an intruder can get in and take steps to stop them. Like is there a fence around the property? Can the window's and doors be broken into with minimal force. Do you sleep with a window open that is easy to get into? Do something to correct this.

3. How would you act if an intruder comes in? Do you have a way to get help? Do you have a horn? A gun? A bat? This may be your last resort but you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.

4. Lock in down EVERY night..

5. Get a dog or a dog noise machine. Does not need to be a big dogt but one that will alert you if someone is trying ti get in.

6. For your personal safty do not be were you should not be. Nothing good comes out by being in the wrong location at 2:00 am in the morning.

7. Take a personal defense course. It my help.

Good luck.

billd

Edward: I know that many condominium associations do not allow dogs. Does your association have some sort of security? You might be able to get a better deal with that group. And if the association doesn't have any security, maybe you should bring it up...

Call Eddie Golden @ Golden Security on STX if you want a security system. He has quite a resume of completed jobs on STX.

340-643-5453 or email goldensecurity911@hotmail.com

but a good dog helps too 🙂

Good advice!

Why don't I call ADT? The reason is that the telephone system where I live is a problem. Many things in the former Soviet Union are broken. The time difference is also a problem.

I did try to send an e-mail message to ADT in STT; it came back undeliverable. I'll try Eddie Golden.

Many thanks to everyone. You are all very helpful. Every minute I spend in this Forum is a good investment.

Here's what the cop and the crime scene investigator told me after a break-in:

1. Police response time to alarm systems vary widely. The guy from ADT said the same.

2. Experienced burglars look for houses that have landscaping around them or are secluded so they can take their time assessing the alarm system, what's in the house, and how to get in, without being seen.

3. Experienced burglars case the joint. They know how many people live in the house, and often wait to see when you leave. In many cases, they have received information about what type of alarm system you have and what type of valuables you have -from people who have come into your house for legitimate reasons (electricians, pest control, deliveries, painters, cable guys, cleaners, even security people!, etc), and from people in the neighborhood. The cop said the burglars often have look-outs and cell phones.

4. Experienced burglars know how to pacify dogs, even barking ones (with meat), or worse. We were told that we were lucky our dog was friendly and wasn't hurt as "these guys don't care."

5. Standard fences don't help, especially if they have growth around them. "They just bring ladders or towels to get over them."

6. A housesafe is an excellent idea.

7. I asked about "loud alarms" and one cop said the following: "It's amazing how neighbors will ignore alarms for a while ...giving the 2 or 3 people robbing your house the five minutes they need to carry off the stuff that's an easy grab for them, and of course, the neighbors didn't see who did it, -people really don't pay that much attention, ...and even if they were seen, it's difficult to prosecute them unless we catch them red-handed."
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Interesting alternative to ADT:
I was talking to a guy this week who was going to install his own alarm: a motion detector alarm from Radio Shack that plugs into his phone line and calls his cell phone if anyone comes into the house. He has a dog so he put the detector in his bedroom and keeps the door closed when he's gone. Of course, they can rob the house before he gets home, but he might get there faster than the cops, or be able to call a neighbor. On the other hand, how would you like to be that neighbor who gets the call to "go say hello to the bad guys." 🙁 I would at least get something that BLARES LIKE HELL, and make sure the siren wasn't sitting out where they could get to it.

I guess the point of my post is this: I've learned from a local beat cop, crime scene investigator and an ADT expert that you need to implement several security things if you want to reduce your odds of being broken into. "Getting a dog," which you often hear on this board, may make you feel better -but it isn't feasible for some, and isn't by any means "foolproof" -any more than having an alarm is. "Where" you choose to live can help, but the cops said no location is immune.

To answer your question, $62/month with a basic package + radio and battery back-up so you don't have to rely on WAPA.

Nothing is foolproof but the more hassles you can put in place make lazy burglars go elsewhere. And they ARE lazy or they'd work for a living like normal people.

"Where" you choose to live can help, but the cops said no location is immune.

How about a hundred steps from the street? That might be a good deterrent.