Security Monitoring Companies

[Prototype]

Ironhorse's thread got me to thinking...

The house we moved into has an alarm system set up in it, but it's not monitored. As far as I know, we can get anyone to monitor.

Who are you with. Have you had problems, billing, any issues? If there was a break in or anything, how did they handle it.

I totaly get the idea that it limits the time, if someone were to break in. I just want to make sure we're comfortable with the price and the response of those monitoring our house.

Thanks in advance.

[Sliver]

I wouldn't bother with monitoring. The siren that blares in the "bad guys'" ears is what makes an alarm effective.

[Prototype]

I would perfer to have it monitored, especially with a little one in the house. Even if we never get broken into... the fact that there's buttons to contact Fire and EMS, that's big for me. Yeah, 911 is easy enough, but in a bind, I'd rather be able to push one button than to have to find a phone... then push three buttons before pushing the send button...

Then again, is it worth around $30-40 a month...

[Incinerator]

Most companies would just call your house when they get an alarm, then call the cops if no one answers. I would not waste your money with those guys.

The most effective security is to have a loud siren as Sliver said, and good quality locks on your doors and windows. Those door security bars would help too before you go to bed.

[Berger_4_]

This right here is my security monitoring company:

[4X4]

I'd like to have one of those laser beam alarms. I'd invite Cathering Zeta Jones over to crawl all over my floor.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by Prototype

I would perfer to have it monitored, especially with a little one in the house. Even if we never get broken into... the fact that there's buttons to contact Fire and EMS, that's big for me. Yeah, 911 is easy enough, but in a bind, I'd rather be able to push one button than to have to find a phone... then push three buttons before pushing the send button...

Then again, is it worth around $30-40 a month...

Though in theory it sounds like a great idea it really isn't. Those buttons will contact your alarm company than contact the 911 centre in whatever community you're living. You'll be losing anywhere from 2-5 minutes in response time from that.

In regards to home intrusion alarms and such, don't expect to your house to be free from break ins and such. If they want to get in, they will. The average response time for police to respond to a house where an alarm has been activated is usually in the 15-30 minute time range. Obviously there's variables and such but that's about what you'd be looking at for police response time.

[mikey_the_redneck]

[mikey_the_redneck]

^I have one of those for home security^

[Fobulous]

We chose to go with Alarmforce for our home security when we moved in and it has been surprisngly good.

We pay $25 a month which is pretty damn good in comparison to the other monitoring services...

If your security alarm is triggered (which has happened a few times when I have forgotten to turn off the alarm) an alarm starts followed by a person that comes on the 2-way speaker and asks for your 10 digit security code. If you don't have it the cops are sent to your place...

Pretty satisfied thus far...

-FoB.

[Playfair's Hairgel]

we just signed up for alarm force they will be coming out dec 4 for installation sounds very reasonable.

i understand some people saying its a waste of money, but really $27.00 per month has way more value for me for satisfaction that my family is protected.

just my 2 cent.s

[Barnes]

This is a timely thread. I have been tasked with finding a monitoring system. I already have a 80lbs, black and tan security system but I am super paranoid about fire. Is there anyway to get just a fire monitoring system?

[Dion]

My late father was a cheap SOB. Instead of getting a home security system for his house he'd stick an ADT sign on his front lawn and few stickers on his door.

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by Dion

My late father was a cheap SOB. Instead of getting a home security system for his house he'd stick an ADT sign on his front lawn and few stickers on his door.

Its usually enough of a deterrent to work. Most theifs would just go to the next house.

[alan21]

I use to work at an alarm monitoring station. Don't waste your money. All I did was sleep, eat and watch movies. Your "security" was in the hands of people like me...

[algernon]

Originally Posted by Barnes

This is a timely thread. I have been tasked with finding a monitoring system. I already have a 80lbs, black and tan security system but I am super paranoid about fire. Is there anyway to get just a fire monitoring system?

I think the firemen will rat you out when/if they find your Grow-Op. Better to spend the cash on a sprinkler system...Then you can multitask it for watering your crop, when it's not putting out the electrical fires.

[Playfair's Hairgel]

Originally Posted by alan21

I use to work at an alarm monitoring station. Don't waste your money. All I did was sleep, eat and watch movies. Your "security" was in the hands of people like me...

and I think that is why "YOU USED" to work there.

[csnarpy]

Alarmforce....? wow....

never in my life....

(i'd keep going but i've gone over this plenty of times)

[Camronius]

I used to be an installer for Telus. There were so many homes that used our telephone lines for security. 99/100 times when I went on a phone repair job (where the line was out) the security company had no clue... or if they did they get so many out of service line alerts that they ignore it. It's very easy to cut a phone line as well. Any half assed thief can do it in seconds. The information to do it, is readily available on the net. Also my wife used to work for ADT as well.... trust me it's a collosal waste of money. As mentioned before siren, fake signs and good locks will be enough of a deterant.

[Prototype]

Amazing food for thought... thanks CP.