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Security-systems,positive deterrence
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Are Security-systems effective in keeping burglars away?
You will know more on this subject as you read on, down this page.
You may recall that Security-systems, as discussed already in other pages, besides sensors and alarms, include also the following elements:
- Control panel (to start the camera recorder, to transmit the alarm by phone and/or to engage the siren),
- Keypad (your key to arm and disarm the system),
- Sensors and alarms you spread thoughtfully in the house,
- Siren or Horn and blinking or strobe Lights (to help people locating where the noise is coming from).
You already know that no matter which and how many alarms you install in your home, the crux is always what you do with the alarm signal generated when one or more of the connected devices are triggered by hostile intrusions.
Before deciding which is your preferred Security-systems solution, you should explore the alternatives, as this is a most important subject on which may depend your peace of mind.
Security-systems may be:
monitored (see ADT and other Security Providers),
connected to the Internet (see Internet Surveillance)
or just local.
Monitored alarm systems are usually hard wired (by company technicians) to connect each device to the control panel. Power is from the main line, but there may be back up batteries. The system is designed to contact the monitoring company by telephone when an alarm is triggered.
In monitored services there will be a callback from the central control room to the house emitting the alarm, with the purpose of confirming the emergency and avoiding false positives.
If nobody answers the call it is understood that the event is real. Programmed activities will go on as agreed. While this may be a necessary precaution against false alarms it may take a few precious minutes.
If you are inquiring about the services of such a company, you should obtain convincing explanations to soothe your worries. They may well pass the call to the police, but then what? will they come? how long will it take until the police arrives?
In the UK monitored services are coordinated by police and the companies offering them to the public must meet well defined standards.
It is reported that most of the burglary assaults are done against premises lacking any protection system at all. This is a strong argument. The real power of Security-systems is the deterrence they provide. Protection is attained before putting the system to test.
Another advantage of installing one of many good Security-systems available is that it will entitle you to a significant discount on the premium with many insurance companies.
Internet connected Security-systems send an alarm message by e-mail and video clips from the surveillance cameras as instructed to do. They may or may not alert other people. If what you see is disturbing, it is up to you to dispatch friends, relatives or police to the spot.
Unmonitored alarm Security-systems, usually wireless (sensors transmit their signal to the control panel by radio), are easier to install (DIY), may be located elsewhere if moving, and operate on batteries (must be changed regularly). The output is generally a contact to operate siren screaming and lights blinking when the alarm goes off. It will work though, only if the installation is correct.
You should check with local authorities if installing a siren is permitted and if there are limitations relative to the time it may be left on, before it becomes an unbearable nuisance to the environment, punishable by fines.
If you connect your alarm signal to operate loud noise making devices such as sirens or horns the effect is hopefully that of scaring burglars to leave immediately. As you agreed beforehand with your closest neighbors, they will not dismiss the alarm as a nuisance, they will come out, their silent presence disturbing the burglars, and call the police.
You should remember however that in very individualistic communities there is little chance that some of the neighbors will come and see what happens or call the police. Unmotivated people are quite indifferent to one more noise.
If it is true, as it is reported, that burglaries are completed in a few minutes at most, it is highly questionable if police officers, even if alerted, will arrive in time to catch the burglars and to put their hands on the looted property.
Before setting up self started calling Security-systems triggered by alarms, you should check in your area, since in some places police will not respond to impersonal calls made by automatic systems, because of the common occurrence of false positives (false alarms).
There are also private security companies with guards checking regularly the properties of owners who subscribed to their Security-systems services. In case of alarm, either originating from a person or automatic, the control room will dispatch the guards, a powerful deterrent.
It seems however that the best prevention against intrusion dangers would be provided by a tightly knit community of involved people who are ready to dedicate, together with their neighbors, the required efforts to set up a voluntary informal organization intended to the mutual protection of the whole community.
This necessity has been recognized by a number of police services who encourage individuals to initiate and nurture such a loose association for the benefit of the whole community. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbourhood_watch
http://www.usaonwatch.org/
http://www.usaonwatch.org/pdfs/WatchManual.pdf
http://www.muni.org/apd2/ncw.cfm
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