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Posted: 12/21/2010 10:06:53 AM EDT
| I am moving to a new city, half-way across the country and am looking for ideas and recommendations on a home security systems. I currently live on-post at Ft. Bragg and feel pretty good about leaving my family home while I'm at work or even deployed. But my next assignment has me going to Wichita, KS. I grew up in this area, but I would feel a lot better if I had a security system of some sort. I plan on renting for awhile, so the system needs to be removeable if i decide to move homes. I plan on renting a house, not a duplex or apartment, I will probably rent for 1 year before i buy a house. I am getting a dog once we get settled and i am looking for a place with a garage, so that when i go shooting i can pull the car in to load up my guns and not let the neighborhood know that i have several guns. So what recomendations do you guys have for a home security system and other tips that i can do to make my next home more safe? thanks |
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Check out a monitored security service like ADT.
Your ideas about having a garage to load up and a dog are good. Prevention goes a long way. Also, make yourself a hard target - in this case, lights that come on with a motion sensor at night. Most common criminals are looking for quick and easy material or monetary gain, and are far less likely to commit a crime if they think they might easily be caught, especially in the act. A lot of local police departments publish weekly or monthly logs of what types of crimes are reported, and where - it appears that Wichita does. This might be a big help in picking where exactly you want to live. A lot of people here think security means making your house and possessions physically impervious to break ins or theft, hence all the threads about vaults and safes. Of course there's nothing wrong with that, but that is the kind of thing that's going to stop the last 1% of criminals, the people who are targeting you because they know you have something and they want what you have. The other 99% will be stopped by things like not knowing for sure that you have anything worth stealing, lights at night, a dog that can bark, no clutter in the yard, a decent looking yard, and a little "Protected by ADT" sign, even if you don't have the service. Whatever you decide on, please don't post any details here. I have no doubt that all sorts of criminals peruse sights like this because so many people start threads and post pics about their security arrangements. I caught a few flames in another thread about OPSEC, but I think it's a legitimate tool. Good luck. |
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Local cop friends have reported to me over the past year almost all of the home robberies with alarm systems have had their phone lines cut first. Seems those f'ers are getting smarter.
A cell backup is certainly something to consider..... A REALLY LOUD series of sirens external to the house and external flashing lights are a must too (I use red and blue strobes all over outside). The sound inside needs to be at the permanent hearing damage level. I've found most modern systems seriously lacking on power output for such things but you can rig up external power supplies and fire off relays with the main system. |
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Quoted:
Local cop friends have reported to me over the past year almost all of the home robberies with alarm systems have had their phone lines cut first. Seems those f'ers are getting smarter. A cell backup is certainly something to consider..... A REALLY LOUD series of sirens external to the house and external flashing lights are a must too (I use red and blue strobes all over outside). The sound inside needs to be at the permanent hearing damage level. I've found most modern systems seriously lacking on power output for such things but you can rig up external power supplies and fire off relays with the main system. Yep, my alarm system has the a mobile line connected to it that sits in the closet, if some cuts the wires and enters the house, the police will still be called. |
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Since you are a GI, I presume you have USAA as you financial and insurance company. USAA has a very good relationship with ADT and offers an excellent price, installation, and service deal with ADT.
I suggest you contact USAA and follow their advice on this matter. We are very pleased with the price and service we've had from the USAA/ADT program. We've had it for about 12 years and it has gone without a hitch. The only issue I've had in that twelve years is that I had to replace the wet cell, back up battery once. |
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