Home Security System???

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by gt350mike

While I was at work last week I got a call from my neighbor and she told me that someone drove up to my garage, two guys got out; one stood by the vehicle while the other one walked down and went inside my garage. He was only inside long enough to see all of my tools and toys, then they left. Several thoughts are passing through my mind but two are the most obvious; I should have never left the side door unlocked and more importantly, I'm pretty damn lucky that they didn't take anything. The bad side is now the thieves have reconed the contents of my garage and I'm sure their not going to wait too long before they return. I'm also lucky that my neighbor is home most of the time during the day but I cannot rely on them to protect my home while we're away.

My house is about 20 years old and the old security system needs to be replaced ( don't have coverage inside the garage). I called two security companies and received quotes from both, but my initial assessment of the quotes is that both are high ($1500 +/-). They both suggested that I replace all of the hardware (main panel, sensors, etc.) and they also agreed to use the existing wiring. The monthly monitoring ranges in cost from out $25 (my Army buddy gave me a discount on the service) to $45 with the the nationally recognized outfit. `

With all of that said, I like to hear your experiences with security systems and local/national security companies.......good, bad, or coyote ugly.

Home security suggestions:


(I have this same one in my front window)


I've had a few of these over the years, they scare the living bejesus out of strangers. People are scared stupid by dobermans.

Also, some cheap internet cameras in very visible places(and one or two in not visible places) can also add a great layer of deterance.

I used to sell the home alarms back in the day. To be honest just getting your hands on a lawn sign might be as effective as the actual alarm itself. Most homes used the basic system, and still had all kinds of vulnerabilities, even after installation.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by legion

if it were me, i'd be tempted to leave a note...

+1

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Nothing says 'don't rob me' like a pissed off doberman. They look mean, but I swear to heaven, a buddy of mine had the sweetest dobie on planet earth. If you came up to the door, she would bark like she meant business, and she was a mean looking sob. But once she knew who you were, she would come up to you when you were sitting down, and put her paws and her head in your lap, looking for a scratch. She was a total sweet heart, but you wouldn't know it walking up to the door.

+10000

My friends loved my Dobies, but the first time any of them met the dogs for the first time, they froze in their tracks. People do not play around with Dobies. They are extremely intimidating looking creatures.

PS: Now that one of them is locked up you need to report your breaking and entering, and have your neighbor testify against them.

[gt350mike]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

+10000

My friends loved my Dobies, but the first time any of them met the dogs for the first time, they froze in their tracks. People do not play around with Dobies. They are extremely intimidating looking creatures.

PS: Now that one of them is locked up you need to report your breaking and entering, and have your neighbor testify against them.

We're on the same sheet.....I filed a police the day of the incident and called the police this morning and left a message with the investigator. The same guys may have cleaned out my sister-in-laws garage about two months ago. They have an alarm system and video, but they didn't have any coverage in the garage. But they do have about 40 minutes of video that can be used by the DA's office. It blows my mind that the entire family was home while those guys were having a field day in the garage. They even have a Irish Setter, but it's to F'ing stupid to acknowledge that someone's inside their garage.

[gt350mike]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

+1

I did but after seeing the photos in the newspaper, I'm not sure if they're literate. The note said "We know who you are (driving a Ford Expedition) so you need to move on. There is nothing inside this garage or house worth dieing for."