Do you have a home alarm system?

[sidewazzz]

Thing is, I am a renter and don't know if I'll be here in 2 years. Might be better if I just make sure my renters ins stays current.

Home or apt?

Apartments getting hit is pretty rare, I would say I've sold maybe 2 in my time with the company.

If it's a home, you can contact the home owner about getting one. I've met with a lot of landlords that get the alarm at the request of a tenant. Sometimes they pay for it all and some times they split it.

 

[monkeythumpa]

I'd like to get an alarm on our house and have been considering the Comcast system. Just don't know how good it is. Any one have experience with it?

No experience with them but ask how the system handles a power or internet outage. What if a burglar cuts the cord?

 

[sidewazzz]

No experience with them but ask how the system handles a power or internet outage. What if a burglar cuts the cord?

Comcast system runs off independent cell sig. The problem is...1) They have a good chance on not giving you a backup battery (they already miss about 60% battery back ups for their phone system) 2) The keypad/ tablet (runs on Android from what I remember) is a everything system. So if it breaks, its useless.

 

[bikeama]

I live in STockton so yes I have an alarm. Also have a neighborhood watch. Found out the PD will not even put you on a list if you do not have two triggers (window and motion), then if no one will be there to meet them they will not come out!!!


As far as a rental I had Bay on my old house that is now my rental. The system is still there but the renter does not pay to have it monitored.

 

[Jiggles]

AT&T is now offering digital life, a home security and automation system in the eastbay. It's home security that is controlled with your smartphone or tablet and you can add in a camera package as well light, temperature, automated door locks and water detection. If the police need a witness then that works perfect if you have the cameras, you can then say I see the guy in my house right now.

The AT&T system is wireless and runs off of backup batteries. It works through 3g and your broadband internet (doesn't matter who the provider is) So even if the power is cut the system is still active for 24 hours. It runs off of any smartphone or tablet so you're always secure.

It's not available in San Jose yet but as soon as it is I'll be signing up. If you live in the east bay and are interested, you can contact me for more information. My store is also giving some extra incentives right now to alleviate the initial costs. Also if you want to see a demo quite a few of my coworkers have signed up for it.

 

[SyndicatedDeath]

Not one of our arrests were a result of a verified alarm call. In fact, none of those houses had an alarm. The homeowners were lucky enough to have retired or unemployed neighbors notice the guy jumping the fence or entering the side yard. Just about all of them are serial burglars and go from neighborhood to neighborhood. The State of California has been forced to release tens of thousands of "low level" offenders and will be forced to release tens of thousands more. I just thought I would throw this topic out there because we are now being inundated with calls involving violence, which prevents us from patrolling neighborhoods and respond to burglaries in progress.

so, wait. are you saying that people with alarms aren't being broken into or, not to have one just get a good neighbor?

 

[ST Guy]

'Thought about it but not yet. The block I'm on is very tight and everyone knows everyone else. It's a great neighborhood/community. If anyone sees anything suspicious, other people and the cops know about it.

And my dog likely helps as well.

 

[eddiet204]

so, wait. are you saying that people with alarms aren't being broken into or, not to have one just get a good neighbor?

In the cases where we made arrests, a neighbor or passerby called it in. On houses or businesses with alarms, the suspects flee after the initial window/door smash. Some of them are bold enough to dash through your house and grab anything of value before they flee, but at least they aren't ransacking your entire house.

 

[Shaggy]

Not one of our arrests were a result of a verified alarm call. In fact, none of those houses had an alarm. The homeowners were lucky enough to have retired or unemployed neighbors notice the guy jumping the fence or entering the side yard. Just about all of them are serial burglars and go from neighborhood to neighborhood. The State of California has been forced to release tens of thousands of "low level" offenders and will be forced to release tens of thousands more. I just thought I would throw this topic out there because we are now being inundated with calls involving violence, which prevents us from patrolling neighborhoods and respond to burglaries in progress.

The crooks are getting more violent in burgs too. Our neighbor city had a residential burglary that was interrupted by the home owner who was home and they turned it into a home invasion robbery and assault/battery with great bodily injury.

 

[Pking]

I alway figure this: The closer the neighbors are the more you need to secure your home. Yes having close neighbors who look out for one another is great but on the flip side, these are the main people who will almost know your every move. That's why I think that along with the "noticable" alarm system, you should backup system also.

 

[sidewazzz]

I alway figure this: The closer the neighbors are the more you need to secure your home. Yes having close neighbors who look out for one another is great but on the flip side, these are the main people who will almost know your every move. That's why I think that along with the "noticable" alarm system, you should backup system also.

I have literally never had a case where it was the neighbor that broke into the house. I talking in 500+ break in's not once. I've had family members, ex's and just random people but never a neighbor.

 

[Daks]

"Safe neighborhoods" are the ones most likely to get burglarized. They tend to be "nicer" neighborhoods.

I lived in semi-ghetto conditions most of my life. No one had alarm systems because everyone who lived there knew no one had anything worth taking.


Now I live in Walnut Creek and my roommate, the houseowner, has an alarm system because tweakers come a prowling.

I used to leave my car unlocked so people wouldn't break the windows for pocket change.
Now it's locked and nothing's in sight constantly.

 

[EH2Zee]

We've had one for probably 5 years or so. After that many years, we now set it automatically when leaving the house or retiring for the night. Second nature now.

Ironically, the alarm company had to install a wireless unit because of incompatibility with DSL or Comcast's first foray into voice.

And yes, Key Fobs are essential. Many of us leave a spare Fob on the night table in the bedroom because the Fobs have a "Panic" button.

Worth every penny for the peace of mind. IMHO, anyways.

 

[MrIncredible]

"Safe neighborhoods" are the ones most likely to get burglarized. They tend to be "nicer" neighborhoods.

Some of us are so far out in the sticks that even finding the place is an accomplishment. The retired neighbors know who should be around.

Also, there's almost always someone here. Not worried.

 

[High-Side]

One of the things I like about our alarm is I have a smoke detector on the system that alerts if there is smoke in the house - great for when I'm away on vacation and no one is there. That sensor alerts directly to whoever is monitoring the system to alert the fire department.

 

[Noid]

Check out Iris from Lowes. Looks pretty interesting.
Smartphone compatible
wireless system
motion, window and doors sensors, light control, cameras, door lock controls, thermostat controls etc...... All from you smart phone.

Uses broadband or cellular.

 

[ratpick]

I have a well armed bored retired sheriff commander as a neighbor and a beagle who is very protective of his home.