I live in an average house in a typical middle class neighborhood, nothing too fancy. Lately there have been a couple of home invasions and robberies not far from here. Our local city planners and county commissioners have also approved construction of a huge apartment complex for "low income working families" to be built within two miles from here. It will be finished in maybe a year. Mrs. Jimmy has suggested we get a home security system. We are just now starting to research and would appreciate any help, suggestions, brand/company monitoring recommendations and any other advice you can offer. Thanks.
Home alarm system questions
- Thread starter Jimmy9190
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Check out SimpliSafe. No contract, reasonable monthly monitoring rates and they send you the equipment for easy DIY install.The keypad and sensors are all wireless so no drilling is needed. The base station uses its own cellular monitoring so no home telephone is required.
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Thanks. We have heard some good and some bad info on SimpliSafe. So far I like Frontpoint Security. They have good reviews online. Installation is all DIY and their monitoring plans make sense and are reasonably priced.
http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/
I would appreciate any other info you guys here might have. Thanks.
http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/
I would appreciate any other info you guys here might have. Thanks.
Find a good small alarm company and talk to them.. Forget these companies with commission sales people.. As for home invasions teach everyone in your home to shoot and have legal guns so if someone needs them they have them...Also call a lock smith and get your door frames beefed up and some good dead bolts installed. Use a company that is licensed just in case..
Install LED or CFL dusk/dawn security lights around your home and garage. Well lit properties best deter bad guys at night. Problem is that most thefts occur during day time.
I have friends that use Vivint and they like it. One frined that has Vivint has 3 cameras from them and he can see them on his iPhone.
Plus change your deadbolts to "anti-bump locks". google it. Bump keys literally give any theif access to most homes.
I have friends that use Vivint and they like it. One frined that has Vivint has 3 cameras from them and he can see them on his iPhone.
Plus change your deadbolts to "anti-bump locks". google it. Bump keys literally give any theif access to most homes.
i have a friend that is a lock guy and he says go with Medeco or another one that i cant remember but they are not cheap at all they go for hundreds.
Alarm systems are pretty worthless. Just being honest after investigating countless burglaries as a police officer. Most crooks know they have AT LEAST 15 minutes before an officer arrives to investigste the alarm. Alarms should be used as one part of a home security solution which should include loud barking dogs, reinforced door frames and windows, exterior lighting as well as properly trimmed bushes and landscaping.
Alarms offer ZERO protection from actual home invasion robberies. The only protection from that is strong kick resistant doors,never answering the door for strangers, and firearms. If you dont own firearms, buy several and get trained in their proper use.
Alarms offer ZERO protection from actual home invasion robberies. The only protection from that is strong kick resistant doors,never answering the door for strangers, and firearms. If you dont own firearms, buy several and get trained in their proper use.
you need an old camaro on blocks in the front yard along with a couple empty budweiser cans and spent shells, and a confederate flag in the window. that will be more effective than an adt sign on the front lawn.
if your timid and fearful of firearms and have the stature of sweetchuck from police academy better hire a security person to be present at your house 24/7.
otherwise consider open carry from your driveway into the house, and advise your neighbors to do the same so it becomes clear what kind of neighborhood it is, that'll be your best deterrent other than getting police cars parked on your street and driven by very often and even then it's not hard to commit crime right under their nose.
if you haven't heard of the chesire murders, in chesire CT, look it up. did they have an alarm system?
if your timid and fearful of firearms and have the stature of sweetchuck from police academy better hire a security person to be present at your house 24/7.
otherwise consider open carry from your driveway into the house, and advise your neighbors to do the same so it becomes clear what kind of neighborhood it is, that'll be your best deterrent other than getting police cars parked on your street and driven by very often and even then it's not hard to commit crime right under their nose.
if you haven't heard of the chesire murders, in chesire CT, look it up. did they have an alarm system?
I also think it would be good to buy a pistol. During my brilliant military career I qualified as Expert with any weapon they gave me. M16, 45, M60 and grenades too. In the Army I favored the Colt 45. Can you buy one nowadays as a civilian? Where is the best place to buy a good used pistol? How much do they cost? I would enjoy teaching my wife to shoot but I have no idea where to start looking for a gun.
I also agree the alarm is part of a protection setup but is useless if some dirtbag really wants in my house. Kind of like a car alarm. When I was in the car audio and alarm business I told people that all the time. If a dirtbag wants your car or what is in it he will take it. No alarm will stop him, it is at best a deterrent only.
I have two doors with deadbolts. The locks are adequate but I will change them out for better quality and security asap. Also we have wanted exterior lights for a while now. This is a good time to start that project too. It is a crying shame that this is our reality today. Thanks for your help.
I also agree the alarm is part of a protection setup but is useless if some dirtbag really wants in my house. Kind of like a car alarm. When I was in the car audio and alarm business I told people that all the time. If a dirtbag wants your car or what is in it he will take it. No alarm will stop him, it is at best a deterrent only.
I have two doors with deadbolts. The locks are adequate but I will change them out for better quality and security asap. Also we have wanted exterior lights for a while now. This is a good time to start that project too. It is a crying shame that this is our reality today. Thanks for your help.
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
I also think it would be good to buy a pistol. During my brilliant military career I qualified as Expert with any weapon they gave me. M16, 45, M60 and grenades too. In the Army I favored the Colt 45. Can you buy one nowadays as a civilian?
I'm not a big fan of the Colt 45 1911 style pistols for self-defense as I feel they are kind of antiquated today, requiring lots of maintenance and attention to make sure they are reliable. That being said, they would certainly work great for home defense if that is the kind of pistol you are trained on and like. Perhaps go to a gun range and rent many of the other popular options available today such as the Glock 17 or 19, Springfield XD, Smith & Wesson M&P, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92FS and other high capacity 9mm pistols.
Most experts advise that pistols are secondary weapons and long guns are primary weapons. Marines carry the M4 into combat for a reason and not just pistols. Rifles/shot guns are more powerful, more accurate, and have more stopping power. Those same principles apply the same to home defense as they do to Marines in Afghanistan.
Ideally, the AR-15 carbine (semi-auto version of the M16 rifle) is arguably the best home defense gun you can get. And since you are already trained in its use and how to maintain it, even better. You can get a decent AR-15 nowadays for as little at $550. That’s cheaper than a Colt 1911.
You cover the door with the AR-15 while your wife covers the door with the pistol and calls 911 on her cell phone.
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Where is the best place to buy a good used pistol? How much do they cost? I would enjoy teaching my wife to shoot but I have no idea where to start looking for a gun.
There are a bunch of gun dealers in central Florida. Just do a google search for gun dealers in your area. A Colt 1911 will set you back $750 for a well-used one up to $1200-$1500 or more for a better example. They are quite expensive. You can get a used police trade in Glock for about $350 to $400. New Glock about $500. Most decent self-defense pistols will sell in the $400 to $800 range.
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
I have two doors with deadbolts. The locks are adequate but I will change them out for better quality and security asap. Also we have wanted exterior lights for a while now.
Most locks are adequate. It’s the wood door frames that are weak. The latch plate is only held on with two screws and is screwed into wood. A crook can easily kick in any door that has an unreinforced door frame in two kicks or less. They sell door frame reinforcement kits which substantially strengthen the door frame. Of course, the best option is steel security doors and steel door frames (practically kick proof), but that option is $$$$$$.
I also think it would be good to buy a pistol. During my brilliant military career I qualified as Expert with any weapon they gave me. M16, 45, M60 and grenades too. In the Army I favored the Colt 45. Can you buy one nowadays as a civilian?
I'm not a big fan of the Colt 45 1911 style pistols for self-defense as I feel they are kind of antiquated today, requiring lots of maintenance and attention to make sure they are reliable. That being said, they would certainly work great for home defense if that is the kind of pistol you are trained on and like. Perhaps go to a gun range and rent many of the other popular options available today such as the Glock 17 or 19, Springfield XD, Smith & Wesson M&P, Sig Sauer P226, Beretta 92FS and other high capacity 9mm pistols.
Most experts advise that pistols are secondary weapons and long guns are primary weapons. Marines carry the M4 into combat for a reason and not just pistols. Rifles/shot guns are more powerful, more accurate, and have more stopping power. Those same principles apply the same to home defense as they do to Marines in Afghanistan.
Ideally, the AR-15 carbine (semi-auto version of the M16 rifle) is arguably the best home defense gun you can get. And since you are already trained in its use and how to maintain it, even better. You can get a decent AR-15 nowadays for as little at $550. That’s cheaper than a Colt 1911.
You cover the door with the AR-15 while your wife covers the door with the pistol and calls 911 on her cell phone.
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Where is the best place to buy a good used pistol? How much do they cost? I would enjoy teaching my wife to shoot but I have no idea where to start looking for a gun.
There are a bunch of gun dealers in central Florida. Just do a google search for gun dealers in your area. A Colt 1911 will set you back $750 for a well-used one up to $1200-$1500 or more for a better example. They are quite expensive. You can get a used police trade in Glock for about $350 to $400. New Glock about $500. Most decent self-defense pistols will sell in the $400 to $800 range.
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
I have two doors with deadbolts. The locks are adequate but I will change them out for better quality and security asap. Also we have wanted exterior lights for a while now.
Most locks are adequate. It’s the wood door frames that are weak. The latch plate is only held on with two screws and is screwed into wood. A crook can easily kick in any door that has an unreinforced door frame in two kicks or less. They sell door frame reinforcement kits which substantially strengthen the door frame. Of course, the best option is steel security doors and steel door frames (practically kick proof), but that option is $$$$$$.
Oh and one more thing, it is critical to identify your target at night when it is dark. Having extensively trained in many scenarios, including dark and pitch black, make sure that whatever pistol you buy has a rail so that you can attach a pistol light.
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Do you have a porch or sheltered front step? Have a friend dress In scruffy clothes and sit there with a shotgun and a bottle of whiskey. (call the local PD first and let them know what's up)
Won't take long for the crook to get the message. I echo the comments re; the old Camaro on blocks, confederate flag etc too.
Won't take long for the crook to get the message. I echo the comments re; the old Camaro on blocks, confederate flag etc too.
Originally Posted By: Olas
Do you have a porch or sheltered front step? Have a friend dress In scruffy clothes and sit there with a shotgun and a bottle of whiskey. (call the local PD first and let them know what's up)
Won't take long for the crook to get the message. I echo the comments re; the old Camaro on blocks, confederate flag etc too.
Go troll elsewhere. The adults are having a conversation and offering real advice. Run along now.
Do you have a porch or sheltered front step? Have a friend dress In scruffy clothes and sit there with a shotgun and a bottle of whiskey. (call the local PD first and let them know what's up)
Won't take long for the crook to get the message. I echo the comments re; the old Camaro on blocks, confederate flag etc too.
Go troll elsewhere. The adults are having a conversation and offering real advice. Run along now.
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