Re: Help after break-in Brinks system

[G. Morgan <alarmpro@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 11 Jun 2006 10:34:14 -0700, mdbasinger@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

>Hello,
>I had a break-in last week. I have a Brinks system (about 10 years
>old). The burglers cut the phone lines so my system didn't alert Brinks
>or the police. The alarm sounded etc. but Brinks said because they
>don't get a signal they don't know when the intrustion happened.

Tell them to call the panel and check the event log, the system has an
internal log that will note the time of the alarm.


>
>I checked with them about a "line-cut" feature, but they said my system
>is too old. Is this a good feature to have?

Line-cut will sound the siren if the perp. cuts the line but no signal
will be sent to the central station.  Sometimes this is adequate to
scare off the intruder before he enters the premises, but it is NOT an
effective back-up by any means.



>How about the radio
>frequency backup.

That is your best bet.  The signal gets transmitted whether or not a
POTS line exists.

> The rf feature would cost $100 per keypad and I think
>$7.00 extra per month.

$7 per/mo. is very reasonable.   It has nothing to do with the amount
of keypads in the home however.   If they will only charge $100 for
the cell backup unit and $7/mo. extra for monitoring it's a good deal.
The units cost the dealer between $200-$300, and dealers have to pay
the cost of monitoring through a third-party cell provider.


>I have been a long time customer and thought I would get a break but no
>such luck.

I bet if you pleaded to the branch manager he would waive the cell
backup installation fee, be prepared to sign another 3 year contract
though.



> I am surprised that most people I have told of the break in
>have assumed that an alarm system always calls the police, even if the
>phone lines are cut. Is my system just so out-dated?


The system can not communicate if the lines get cut!  It does not
matter how old the system is.  In your case I would ask the branch
manager to upgrade the system for free and install the cell backup for
free in exchange for a contract renewal (plus the extra $7).

You may also want to re-evaluate the system layout to make sure the
sensor coverage is adequate.


--

-Graham

remove the double 'e' to email me.