Re: I was broken into ... last questions before purchase

[not_real@xxxxxxx (Beachcomber)]

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 10:22:33 -0700, "Crash Gordon"
<webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>You sound confused. On one hand you want protection against jamming on the
>other hand you dont think the thieves where you live are sophisiticated.
>You're concerned about false alarm fines, but you intend to be a local
>system (not monitored).
>
>On wireless...I have hundreds of them out there an have never had one be
>jammed or circumvented...in fact the only false alarms I get from them are
>homeowners opening the transmitter cases, which are tampered, without
>telling us.
>
>And you want CCTV over the net too.
>
>I think you're gonna go overbudget.
>
>If you're on the second level of apt building it shouldn't be too expensive
>to install a wireless alarm, one door a motion, maybe a glassbreak. If
>you're on the ground level you'll need more.
>
>
>
>
>"Armadillo Soup" <louispoint@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:Xns96F27B995157Elouispointyourmommac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>| Like a lot of people that pop up in all of a sudden, I was just broken
>| into last Thursday. They stole my digital camera and my headphones.
>| Apparently the guy broke into 6 places within a few block radius.
>|
>| Anyway ... I realize all security is a balance between cost and
>| convenience. Just how much money, time, and effort are you willing to put
>| into being secure ?
>|
>| I live in a crappy apartment and probably will continue to for a long
>| time to come. Basically I have a TV, stereo, and computer. Anything that
>| was small and valuable this thief took last Thursday. So in short, it
>| wouldn't make a lot of sense to spend a fortune on securing my place ...
>| it obviously makes no sense to spend more than your stuff is worth !
>|
>| As far as the threat model I would like to defend against ... I think the
>| most realistic scenario is something like what happened last Thursday. A
>| realitively unplanned, fairly random break in. I can't see burglars
>| spending a lot of time and energy planning for an eleaborate breakin
>| where I live.
>|
>| I am almost 100% confident that had ANY alarm sounded last Thursday, I
>| would still have my digital camera. This guy didn't want confrontation,
>| and he didn't want a lot of razzle dazzle, bright lights, or loud noises
>| I can tell you. If he is breaking into 6 places in a day, he doesn't have
>| time for sirens.
>|
>| So ... considering all that, I was thinking of getting the Powermax+,
>| partly because it comes all ready to go, and I don't want to mess with a
>| monitoring service. The Paradox Magellan looks really cool but seems to
>| be a bit out of my price range. Also, it looks harder to set up. As for
>| the PowerMax+, I'd like to add one of the hardwired sirens to the unit if
>| I could, simply to add confusion and throw off the crook, in case he has
>| the nerve to try and disarm/yank it off the wall. I am confident
>| (considering I live in a cramped apartment complex) that the siren will
>| immediately scare off 80% of intruders in this area. Like I said, I do
>| not live in an area where carefully planned burglaries really make much
>| sense.
>|
>| My only reservation is relying on wireless completely. The Powermax+ says
>| it can connect to 2 hardwired devices. One will hopefully be a siren. It
>| would be ideal if the other was a motion detector, but I don't see a
>| hardwired motion detector as a module.
>|
>| Are these wireless units that easily jammed and disabled ? You think an
>| amatuer "crackhead" style thief would have the means to do so ? Some of
>| these crackheads are more talented than you might think ! Breaking into 6
>| places in a day shows at least some talent.
>|
>| Anyway, if anyone has any last minute recommendations for me, I'll take
>| them. Right now my only security is a radio I left on today when I went
>| to work ! Far from Ideal.
>|
>| Things I consider important:
>| 1) No monitoring service required.
>| 2) Ability to disarm via telephone ? I think I'd like to do this. I'm
>| considering setting up a camera that can post images/video to an external
>| website via my Linksys wireless router.
>| 3) Cost and ease of use ... proportionate to what I am trying to protect:
>| $600 TV/DVD player
>| $400 stereo
>| $1500 computer
>| These are the only things I own of value in the world. All my clothes are
>| from the thrift store.  :)
>|
>| Lastly, just how common/frequently do you get false alarms ? Is this from
>| flakey units ?  Wild exotic radio transmissions on your units frequency ?
>| I will be using 3 door sensors and 1 motion detector. I am a little
>| worried about the false alarms.
>|
>| Cheers, and thanks for any final advice.
>
>

What about your landlord sending workman into your place while you are
away? (and likely without your knowledge....  You said it was a crappy
apartment).   How many people have the keys to your front door?  This
could set off the alarm and cause you to be a nuisance.

BTW... Anytime repair people are in your place they can look over your
stuff and your alarm system.   This is definitely a security problem.

Apartments are hard to hard wire for alarm systems.  Landlords
generally don't want you drilling through walls and such.  Wireless
may be prone to false alarms and unreliability.

Maybe you need a safe as first priority... Then an alarm system....
If no monitoring system, than get one that at least pages you or calls
your cellphone.

Beachcomber