Looking for alarm monitoring service after attempted break-in

[jtvang125]

This happened sometime yesterday. They got the latch on the sliding door to slip off but luckily the wooden rod we had behind it kept it from opening. They tried wedging something in between the door jamb to get to the door knob latchbolt on the garage side door. Somehow that held but they may have just lacked the tools. They tried a few windows and even tried getting up onto the patio cover.

You don't think it'll ever happen to you so you tend to let your guard down and that's when they get you. I know the first company most think of for alarm service is ADT. Anyone have experience with them? Anything else comparable that I should look at too? Just looking for something fairly basic, maybe two or three door and window sensors.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I am with Protectron... which is now owned by ADT. The service has been great in all the times that I've tested sensors or what not. Though, it's not really cheap, about $60/mo. Honestly the only reason I ended up going with it is I got my car and garage broken into myself and as I was in the process of thinking of installing a service a door to door salesman showed up... normally I shoo those away, but he was actually selling what I was looking for and I looked up the company and it was legit etc. Got all the equipment for free.

There may be cheaper companies that are just as good though so I'd wait and see what others suggest. TBH if I was to do it over again I probably would go with a DIY system and a cheaper monitoring service. Maybe even something arduino/Raspery pi style that I can fully tie in to the rest of my home automation.

But if you want something quick that you know will work then a company like ADT comes in, installs it, and they leave and you have a fully working system.

Some of these companies also have sensors to monitor for flooding or fire, CO etc so that's always nice to have.

 

[boomerang]

So, you want an alarm system and along with it, monitoring. How handy are you? Do you think you could install a wireless system yourself?

 

[jtvang125]

So, you want an alarm system and along with it, monitoring. How handy are you? Do you think you could install a wireless system yourself?

Yes, alarm and monitoring. I've been looking at Simplisafe and that looks like something I might go with. All of those companies offering free hardware and installation sounds great but I don't want to be locked into a long term year contract. At least with Simplisafe it's month to month with no contract.

 

[slag]

Sometimes simply a few strategically placed stickers and a sign out front stuck in your yard is enough to deter thieves.

Low tech and effective...

 

[spacejamz]

Sometimes simply a few strategically placed stickers and a sign out front stuck in your yard is enough to deter thieves.

Low tech and effective...

If you don't mind not having the peace of mind that someone will respond within a few minutes (i.e., the monitoring company calling you) if an intrusion is detected, then that is a possible solution.

I have friend that has had Simplisafe for about a year in their apartment and they haven't had any issues...the motion detectors and door sensors were super easy to install....

 

[MustISO]

IMO the systems are a deterrent and may limit the loss to whatever they can grab in 30 seconds to 4 minutes depending on response time. Obviously it would at least alert you when a break-in does occur so you can get home to investigate.

It also may not alert you or the monitoring system to an attempted break-in since they probably wouldn't have triggered any of the sensors.

When you're home is when it can can make a difference to alert you to a situation like a break-in.

They say a dog is the best protection against the average/opportunistic burglar. Signs and stickers may help in a similar way, they'll move to an easier target.

I'd suggest driving around and seeing which company signs you see most often and have them come out, talk to your neighbors as well if they have existing systems.

 

[spacejamz]

I'd suggest driving around and seeing which company signs you see most often and have them come out, talk to your neighbors as well if they have existing systems.

I am pretty sure I am the only one that does this, but I have ADT signs around my house but actually have a different alarm monitoring company...LOL

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I just installed a simplisafe system a couple months ago. Went with a custom build rather than the stock setup. I wanted all motion detectors and nothing else. Way too many windows and doors at my house to cover them all. Was nice having that level of customization. Came out to around $250.-.

Install is stupid simple. Monitoring is inexpensive, like $20.- mo. No false alarms yet. So far so good.

Might not be the most secure of systems but I'm happy with it. The security literature indicates simplisafe systems have some vulnerabilities. The type of thieves we have around here are probably too stupid/high to know what they are. If you are trying to protect high dollar valuables remember you get what you pay for.

 

[jtvang125]

I just installed a simplisafe system a couple months ago. Went with a custom build rather than the stock setup. I wanted all motion detectors and nothing else. Way too many windows and doors at my house to cover them all. Was nice having that level of customization. Came out to around $250.-.

Install is stupid simple. Monitoring is inexpensive, like $20.- mo. No false alarms yet. So far so good.

Might not be the most secure of systems but I'm happy with it. The security literature indicates simplisafe systems have some vulnerabilities. The type of thieves we have around here are probably too stupid/high to know what they are. If you are trying to protect high dollar valuables remember you get what you pay for.

I went with a refurb kit that included an extra remote, additional entry sensor, smoke detector, and siren with the same 3yr warranty. I added an extra motion sensor to cover the whole first floor. The 4 entry sensors should be enough to cover the most vulnerable entries.

I know it's not going to stop a professional thief but should deterrent the casual ones. I have a habit of just leaving my things laying around (cameras, tablets, etc..) so it won't stop a thief from quickly grabbing these before running off. I'll have to learn to put them away to prevent the smash and grab types.

 

[SMOGZINN]

I just installed a simplisafe system a couple months ago. Went with a custom build rather than the stock setup. I wanted all motion detectors and nothing else. Way too many windows and doors at my house to cover them all. Was nice having that level of customization. Came out to around $250.-.

Install is stupid simple. Monitoring is inexpensive, like $20.- mo. No false alarms yet. So far so good.

Might not be the most secure of systems but I'm happy with it. The security literature indicates simplisafe systems have some vulnerabilities. The type of thieves we have around here are probably too stupid/high to know what they are. If you are trying to protect high dollar valuables remember you get what you pay for.

Some things about me:

My family ran a home alarm company for nearly 20 years. I managed the company for 5 years when my dad retired due to medical issues, my brother and I sold it a few years ago and my parents now live comfortably off of the interest of that sale.

Some things about home alarms:

All home alarm systems have vulnerabilities. We are not talking about the sort of system they guard banks with. These systems are intended to be a cheap deterrent, not turn your house into Fort Knox. They will not stop a professional team, but then again if you are likely to be targeted by a professional team you should be hiring armed guards. Most robberies are done by opportunists, not professionals. And unless there is a specific reason why your house is a target either will move on when faced with an alarm.

The most important part of an alarm system is the siren. No alarm can keep someone from breaking in, only make them rethink their decision once they do.

For the most part you want motion detectors to cover main entrances, high price electronics, and hallways, door sensors for the main exterior doors. Window sensors are too expensive to put on every window. IMHO even the door sensors are optional. You can cover a door along with half a room with a motion sensor. In fact that is their best use. They are really good at detecting a door moving.

Monitoring is much less important than the company wants you to think. It is rare that the monitoring will make any difference at all. If the alarm goes off the people will grab what they can and run, the cops get there long after they are gone. Now having said that fire alarm monitoring is something that can actually make a difference. If you are going to have your house monitored add monitored fire alarms and have the fire alarms trigger tied into the main high DB siren.

 

[NetWareHead]

Monitoring is much less important than the company wants you to think. It is rare that the monitoring will make any difference at all. If the alarm goes off the people will grab what they can and run, the cops get there long after they are gone. Now having said that fire alarm monitoring is something that can actually make a difference.

Having worked for a central station, I can agree with this. Most burglars do the old smash and grab and set it up for minimal time spent inside the premises before driving off with as much as they can throw into a truck.

The only way to head this off would be to have a frank discussion with the monitoring company and let them know you want an immediate police dispatch upon receipt of a burglary code. Typically most central stations will receive an alarm signal and start calling a call list. Typically, the first guy may not answer so the operator moves on to the second guy etc... etc... The second guy may not remember his password and so on. By the time the operator exhausts the call list, 5-10 minutes may have passed. At this point the operator will typically call the police department having jurisdiction in the customer's area. Then you have to wait on the police department's response time.

Avoiding the call list portion lets the central station immediately begin calling the cops but now you are going to get a police visit for even a false alarm and some jurisdictions charge the homeowner for false alarms that generate a police dispatch.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I know it's not going to stop a professional thief but should deterrent the casual ones.

Cool beans hope the advice helped. The most important aspect of my system is the ability to cover the first floor and detached garage with motion sensors while I sleep. I sleep deeply and don't want any night creepers in my space without me knowing about it.

No, I don't want a dog.....hate cleaning poo out of my yard.......simplisafe is cheaper and easier I think.

 

[Ns1]

The most important part of an alarm system is the siren. No alarm can keep someone from breaking in, only make them rethink their decision once they do.

Has anyone ever experimented with high DB sirens inside their house? I mean if you can get sirens up in the 120-130db range, you're talking permanent hearing loss if you stay in the house. and i doubt burglars are going to have ear plugs.


of course, the risk of accidentally setting off your alarm and going deaf is always there...

 

[bamx2]

Interesting article about hackability of Simiplysafe alarm system. It porbably applies to most of the cheap inexpensive DID wireless home alarms systems -

http://arstechnica.com/security/201...-intruders-go-undetected/?comments=1&start=40

I am not sure that it would matter unless your house was specifically targeted for high ticket items known to a professional burglar. If you have that kind of stuff buy a Honeywell Lynx or better alarm system and get full video too.

Anyway I think that Simiplisafe is with some video backup (eg: spare Android cell phone w/Salient Eye , Wardencanor , Alfred) is a reasonable DIY solution.

 

[jtvang125]

Interesting article about hackability of Simiplysafe alarm system. It porbably applies to most of the cheap inexpensive DID wireless home alarms systems -

http://arstechnica.com/security/201...-intruders-go-undetected/?comments=1&start=40

I am not sure that it would matter unless your house was specifically targeted for high ticket items known to a professional burglar. If you have that kind of stuff buy a Honeywell Lynx or better alarm system and get full video too.

Anyway I think that Simiplisafe is with some video backup (eg: spare Android cell phone w/Salient Eye , Wardencanor , Alfred) is a reasonable DIY solution.

I read the article and all the comments and yes, it was an eye opener but I think the issue is a little overblown. Not that this is an excuse for the security hole but I think the work needed to attack this system is more than what it's worth and here's why.

The company claims there's about 200,000 homes nationwide with their system. An estimate of the number of US homes in 2015 is a little over 133 million. I'll use the whole 133 million since renters can use the system as well since it doesn't require modifications to the property. That's about .0016%. Unless the house is plastered all over with signs of the alarm company and with such low adoption rates good luck in even finding a house with this system.

And since the system doesn't constantly broadcast its signal like Wifi, you can't just drive through the neighborhood looking for its signal. And if somehow you did manage to find a house with this alarm, are you really going to invest the money and time to make the hacking device to hit one, maybe two homes in your whole town? Why if one of those homes has a dog and the other a video surveillance system? There goes the whole plan.

I think the chances of people actively going out to target homes with this alarm system is quite slim. And as mentioned, by layering on additional security measures you lower the chances even further of becoming a hit.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Deterrence should be your #1 priority.

You don't need any thing else if you can effectively deter crimes from happening in the first place.

Don't misunderstand me; you certainly want as much security that you can afford. I am saying you should start with deterrent measures first, do what you can, and only after that entertain anything further.

As other users have mentioned, stickers/warnings can help.

You can also buy dummy cameras from monoprice.com for about $9 each. They look 'real' enough. There was a sting of car breakins on my street, but our cars were left alone. We have 3 dummy cameras on various parts of the house that blink, look real, and are focused on the driveway. The morning after the breakins when the cops were there asking questions, they rang my doorbell asking if I would let them see any of the footage. They didn't even think that my cameras were fake and were surprised when I told them that.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=110&cp_id=11016&cs_id=1101602&p_id=8428&seq=1&format=2

 

[Subyman]

Have good insurance. Save the money.

 

[Charmonium]

Avoiding the call list portion lets the central station immediately begin calling the cops but now you are going to get a police visit for even a false alarm and some jurisdictions charge the homeowner for false alarms that generate a police dispatch.

It depends on how careful you are with your alarm and how tolerant you police department is.

I think most will give you one freebie but after that they start to get pissed and/or charge you.

I use a company on the other end of the country called Alarm Relay, but they do go by other names as well. They've been very reliable and helpful in the 3 or 4 years I've used them.

I once set off the smoke detectors and didn't get to the phone in time and they immediately call the fire department. But for other issues, they go down my call list.

I think I pay less than $10/month for their service (billed annually)