Comments on: Why millions of home alarm systems are useless… http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html A blog to help keep you up to date on home & community security issues on Vancouver's Westside as well as the continuing development and growth of Provident Security Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:59:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Another competant alarm company http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1480 Another competant alarm company Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:19:24 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1480 Thanks Mike for an informative blog which I hope has educated many homeowners as to how a proper security system should be installed. I have replaced dozens of the LYNX systems in Montreal, Quebec, Canada which were all installed by an ADT authorized dealer. Without exception, NONE of these clients had any clue how easy it was to disable their entire "alarm" by simply yanking the keypad off of the wall. They were all "sold" by a convenient payment plan, and had ZERO education about understanding or using their alarms. I found it amusing to read how some people on your site are denying and INSISTING that these installs were not done by ADT; who then paid for the custom-printing of the ADT logo on all of these keypads? A better choice by ADT would have been to completely dismiss these types of all-in-one systems as JUNK, and REFUSE to touch or install them, as you and I have done with our own respective alarm companies. I disagree slightly with your statement of Lesson # 1, in that my personal policy is that the alarm control panel MUST be hidden from view, in an area that is supervised so that an alarm will be triggered by someone approaching the hidden panel. I spend at least 5 minutes after my installations with ALL of my customers explaining to them EXACTLY how to defeat any typical home alarm system, starting with cutting the telephone and cable lines before entry and then rapidly proceeding inside the home to "kill" the control panel and/or silence its sirens. For this reason, interior surface-mount 15-watt sirens MUST be at least 10 feet above the floor (where they can't be easily ripped off of the wall) and any sirens that I put inside closets are locked inside a metal siren enclosure which is screwed to the wall-studs. If the client understands the steps necessary to defeat an alarm, they are in a much better position to understand if their own home security needs are being properly met. Also, there are no unpleasant surprises (such as those voiced on this blog) if their telephone line does get cut, because they fully understand the risks involved and have the option of choosing cell or radio back-up at the time of installation, not AFTER the event. It is obvious from this site that you care a great deal for your clients and I applaud your efforts. Sadly, this type of crappy installation and lack of concern for clients continues in 2011, partly because of the time restraints imposed upon alarm sub-contractors who have to "bang out 2 or more installs per day". The reality is that a properly conceived and installed alarm system takes time, especially when you're paying attention to small details. I would be curious to hear replies from alarm customers as to: "How much time did their technicians spend with them demonstrating and explaining their alarm systems?" I am pleased to see that you are helping me correct this issue and provide homeowners with the knowledge, quality and care that they deserve once they've placed their trust in us. Thanks Mike for an informative blog which I hope has educated many homeowners as to how a proper security system should be installed. I have replaced dozens of the LYNX systems in Montreal, Quebec, Canada which were all installed by an ADT authorized dealer. Without exception, NONE of these clients had any clue how easy it was to disable their entire “alarm” by simply yanking the keypad off of the wall. They were all “sold” by a convenient payment plan, and had ZERO education about understanding or using their alarms. I found it amusing to read how some people on your site are denying and INSISTING that these installs were not done by ADT; who then paid for the custom-printing of the ADT logo on all of these keypads? A better choice by ADT would have been to completely dismiss these types of all-in-one systems as JUNK, and REFUSE to touch or install them, as you and I have done with our own respective alarm companies. I disagree slightly with your statement of Lesson # 1, in that my personal policy is that the alarm control panel MUST be hidden from view, in an area that is supervised so that an alarm will be triggered by someone approaching the hidden panel. I spend at least 5 minutes after my installations with ALL of my customers explaining to them EXACTLY how to defeat any typical home alarm system, starting with cutting the telephone and cable lines before entry and then rapidly proceeding inside the home to “kill” the control panel and/or silence its sirens. For this reason, interior surface-mount 15-watt sirens MUST be at least 10 feet above the floor (where they can’t be easily ripped off of the wall) and any sirens that I put inside closets are locked inside a metal siren enclosure which is screwed to the wall-studs. If the client understands the steps necessary to defeat an alarm, they are in a much better position to understand if their own home security needs are being properly met. Also, there are no unpleasant surprises (such as those voiced on this blog) if their telephone line does get cut, because they fully understand the risks involved and have the option of choosing cell or radio back-up at the time of installation, not AFTER the event. It is obvious from this site that you care a great deal for your clients and I applaud your efforts. Sadly, this type of crappy installation and lack of concern for clients continues in 2011, partly because of the time restraints imposed upon alarm sub-contractors who have to “bang out 2 or more installs per day”. The reality is that a properly conceived and installed alarm system takes time, especially when you’re paying attention to small details. I would be curious to hear replies from alarm customers as to: “How much time did their technicians spend with them demonstrating and explaining their alarm systems?” I am pleased to see that you are helping me correct this issue and provide homeowners with the knowledge, quality and care that they deserve once they’ve placed their trust in us.

]]> By: 49 Articles About Insuring Your Home Against Burglary « Blog Money and Business http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1398 49 Articles About Insuring Your Home Against Burglary « Blog Money and Business Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:23:41 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1398 [...] Provident Security: A home security system is only useful when it is installed correctly and used the right way. [...] [...] Provident Security: A home security system is only useful when it is installed correctly and used the right way. [...]

]]> By: USAlarmCompanies http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1327 USAlarmCompanies Mon, 03 May 2010 03:14:22 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1327 Homeowners and business operators should know basic information about alarm security systems befor actually installing them so as not to be regarded as useless. Others may think that having home alarm systems in their homes would give them peace of mind, only to find out that their security equipment was installed wrong and they could not be depended on at all. Proper information should be conveyed to consumers so that they won't end up doing the same mistake as the given example above. Homeowners and business operators should know basic information about alarm security systems befor actually installing them so as not to be regarded as useless. Others may think that having home alarm systems in their homes would give them peace of mind, only to find out that their security equipment was installed wrong and they could not be depended on at all. Proper information should be conveyed to consumers so that they won’t end up doing the same mistake as the given example above.

]]> By: Aprile http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1289 Aprile Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:24:57 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1289 Thanks for the information... very helpful. Had the installer mount the sirens in two places. Siren #1 is mounted in the main furnace duct at the furnace, which allows the siren to be heard ALL over the house very loudly!! Most other systems I've seen in other homes you can hear the siren well in one part of the house but not in another part of the house. Mounting in the furnace duct eliminated that problem. Siren #2 is mounted in the turret on the roof with a yellow strobe light mounted on top of the turret. Our control station is mounted in the master bedroom closet with a deadbolt on the door. Each keypad is mounted out of sight from windows. Thanks for the tips!! Thanks for the information… very helpful. Had the installer mount the sirens in two places. Siren #1 is mounted in the main furnace duct at the furnace, which allows the siren to be heard ALL over the house very loudly!! Most other systems I’ve seen in other homes you can hear the siren well in one part of the house but not in another part of the house. Mounting in the furnace duct eliminated that problem. Siren #2 is mounted in the turret on the roof with a yellow strobe light mounted on top of the turret. Our control station is mounted in the master bedroom closet with a deadbolt on the door. Each keypad is mounted out of sight from windows. Thanks for the tips!!

]]> By: JRW http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1249 JRW Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:20:49 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1249 What would stop a thief from using a cell jammer to defeat the cell phone and cutting the phone line? (Assuming its the right one and not a dummy What would stop a thief from using a cell jammer to defeat the cell phone and cutting the phone line? (Assuming its the right one and not a dummy

]]> By: caine http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-1041 caine Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:35:43 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-1041 Thanks for this information. It will help lot of people get what they need and not get ripped off. Thanks! Thanks for this information. It will help lot of people get what they need and not get ripped off. Thanks!

]]> By: Russell Standage http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-931 Russell Standage Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:39:54 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-931 This blog post is going to help my company in Salt Lake City Utah. We are going to change the way we install our systems from now on by taking some of the approaches you mentioned. Thanks. This blog post is going to help my company in Salt Lake City Utah. We are going to change the way we install our systems from now on by taking some of the approaches you mentioned.
Thanks.

]]> By: Judy http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-918 Judy Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:56:15 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-918 Great article and advice. I had no idea of what I needed to look for when shopping around for a home alarm system. Thanks. Great article and advice. I had no idea of what I needed to look for when shopping around for a home alarm system. Thanks.

]]> By: Pinnacle Security http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-864 Pinnacle Security Fri, 08 May 2009 10:50:31 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-864 Many alarm panel mfg's have internet transmission modules. DSC, Ademco and now Paradox have modules which can accomodate your needs. There are also several universal versions which can connect to almost any alarm panel on the market. Many alarm panel mfg’s have internet transmission modules. DSC, Ademco and now Paradox have modules which can accomodate your needs. There are also several universal versions which can connect to almost any alarm panel on the market.

]]> By: Randy http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-861 Randy Mon, 04 May 2009 21:43:30 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-861 most crooks are low lifes looking for a quick score. Sure the "cat burglar" has skills and will be able to defeat almost any sound system. The main effect an alarm has is to detour the criminal from even attempting the break in. Most criminals who break a window or kick a door in and hear the alarm go off will just run away quick. Sure they can ripp the unit off the wall but they still can't be sure a signal wan't sent. I have the glass-break feature. It sends a distress signal instantly. Sure the system posted above may not be ideal but should work well enough. I also agree a cellualr unit is the best way to go... most crooks are low lifes looking for a quick score. Sure the “cat burglar” has skills and will be able to defeat almost any sound system. The main effect an alarm has is to detour the criminal from even attempting the break in. Most criminals who break a window or kick a door in and hear the alarm go off will just run away quick. Sure they can ripp the unit off the wall but they still can’t be sure a signal wan’t sent. I have the glass-break feature. It sends a distress signal instantly. Sure the system posted above may not be ideal but should work well enough. I also agree a cellualr unit is the best way to go…

]]> By: mjagger http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-829 mjagger Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:28:05 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-829 @mikehill Irrespective of monitoring cost, unless you have private response that guarantees a response time... all companies are exactly the same. Whether it is ADT, Brinks, HSM or any other 'low cost' provider, the issue is the same. The only reason for having a monitored alarm is to generate an immediate response. The Police in most cities in North America simply CANNOT respond fast enough... so the results are the same no matter who (or what) you pay for monitoring. I've written a number of posts on this topic... most recently <a href="http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2009/03/westside-burglary-highlights-the-need-for-private-and-immediate-response.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> ... click <a href="http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2009/02/why-police-response-to-burglar-alarms-doesnt-work.html" rel="nofollow">here </a>for a video clip where I explain why Police response does not work. @mikehill Irrespective of monitoring cost, unless you have private response that guarantees a response time… all companies are exactly the same. Whether it is ADT, Brinks, HSM or any other ‘low cost’ provider, the issue is the same.

The only reason for having a monitored alarm is to generate an immediate response. The Police in most cities in North America simply CANNOT respond fast enough… so the results are the same no matter who (or what) you pay for monitoring.

I’ve written a number of posts on this topic… most recently here … click here for a video clip where I explain why Police response does not work.

]]> By: mikehill http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html/comment-page-2/#comment-828 mikehill Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:20:24 +0000 http://www.providentsecurity.ca/blog/2006/10/criminal_instal.html#comment-828 I'm wondering what the quality of the low cost monitoring companies is. I am spending over $30.00 a month on ADT, but when my alarm went off, it still took the police 4 hours to come to my house to check. If home alarms are such a low priority to the police, why spend the money on ADT; what is the main difference between ADT's monitoring and the lower cost companies? Don't they all just call the police if an alarm goes off? I’m wondering what the quality of the low cost monitoring companies is. I am spending over $30.00 a month on ADT, but when my alarm went off, it still took the police 4 hours to come to my house to check.
If home alarms are such a low priority to the police, why spend the money on ADT; what is the main difference between ADT’s monitoring and the lower cost companies? Don’t they all just call the police if an alarm goes off?

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