Alarm System - Detroit House - Best & Most Cost Effective

People who have alarm systems on houses in Detroit-- I'd like to know which is best, which components are necessary for it to be effective, and of those which is lowest cost. Is a land line phone needed in all cases? I realize they're dependent on DPD response time-- or does DPD even respond to calls from alarm services? Any sense of which seem most effective as a deterrent, police response aside?

This is for a family member with a house in Detroit. The house and individual block are still in good shape [[mostly, but unfortunately not entirely, long-term owner occupied), but some of the houses [[this one!) have been plagued with repeated break-ins while occupants are away at work or wherever. He'd love to be able to rent out the house, but doesn't feel right subjecting a potential tenant to repeated [[or any!) robberies.

Location is a few blocks from where Steve Utash was beaten, though those few blocks are toward the "better" area if that matters-- vicinity 94-Moross-Morang.

Thanks!

Get a Guardian wireless system. If you have one tied to a land line, they simply rip your telephone terminal box off of of the house and you have no protection. I learned the hard way.

If you have the remote with the panic feature, DPD comes right away, i.e. within 10 minutes max.

I agree, you cannot go lightweight in this area. The thief really determined to get at your possessions WILL tear off the term box - they do it all the time. It must be wireless. Also advise tenants to use light timers to go off and on at odd times of the night for example in a front room.

Wireless is absolute. I suggest a few exterior lights that are motion sensitive.

You did make me a bit nostalgic. Lived in that area, owned there for ten years. Nice houses, nice people

Make sure it has good backup batteries. Needs to function in the event of a power outage. Test it frequently [[ask your service how to do this). My service will call me if a sensor malfunctions. This is a plus since system diagnostics are complicated to run yourself. A good system with good monitoring starts around $40 per month.

I realize you're renting it out, but I wouldn't go without video I can remotely access. I want video records of anyone who steals my stuff. Remember the DPD won't respond quickly to any property crimes. For a personal residence I would get a system that allows monitoring with a smartphone.

Make sure entry doors are steel, with a steel frame.

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Originally Posted by Llama

People who have alarm systems on houses in Detroit-- I'd like to know which is best, which components are necessary for it to be effective, and of those which is lowest cost. Is a land line phone needed in all cases? I realize they're dependent on DPD response time-- or does DPD even respond to calls from alarm services? Any sense of which seem most effective as a deterrent, police response aside?

This is for a family member with a house in Detroit. The house and individual block are still in good shape [[mostly, but unfortunately not entirely, long-term owner occupied), but some of the houses [[this one!) have been plagued with repeated break-ins while occupants are away at work or wherever. He'd love to be able to rent out the house, but doesn't feel right subjecting a potential tenant to repeated [[or any!) robberies.

Location is a few blocks from where Steve Utash was beaten, though those few blocks are toward the "better" area if that matters-- vicinity 94-Moross-Morang.

Thanks!

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This should give you some guidelines. I would suggest talking to alarm companies, [[though they'll lie just to sell you stuff) and to an actual DPD cop, [[if you can find one that has a clue) about what is needed to convict. As I found out, you can have all the videos and information on the perp you want, and it won't do you a bit of good if you can't get anyone to follow up on the crime. GPW has a valid point, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If it happens too many times, your tenants will walk.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/08/...larm-response/

Honky Tonk, any idea whether non-response is still the policy unless the alarm comes from a human-activated "panic button" accessory? And how can DPD tell exactly where in the system the alarm was activated?

Thanks to all for some very good answers and tips! That's exactly what I was hoping for. Not so sure he can deal with switching out door frames for steel [[doors already are, save for the odd-size back), but everything else sounds very doable.

That immediate neighborhood would be quite comfortable, save for the repeated break-ins. Neighbors seem quite sure who's doing them-- young guys, after electronics and anything they can easily carry and sell. They've destroyed quality of life for so many families there-- how different is that really from taking a life? I often wonder whether putting their photos and basic info, along with their mother's if they still live at home, in local papers and up on the web. Probably I'm kidding myself-- can't really imagine they have any shame.

Neighbors there tell me to limit my sympathy, that these kids are just after anything they can convert to cash to fill a gas tank, and/or electronics or cash they can use to impress girls. :-[[

Steel doors, with solid metal frame, and reduce windows when possible to block glass.
Take a look at 3M Security Film for glass windows
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._Window_Films/
An alarm is only good to tell you someone was already there.
Video face recognition is a joke, it fails more than you might believe, no identification will happen.

Thirteen Pitbulls...

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Thirteen Pitbulls...

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Just like Colt 45, "works everytime".....

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Thirteen Pitbulls...

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For a very small crib.....42 pitbulls for an average size bungalow.

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Originally Posted by Llama

Honky Tonk, any idea whether non-response is still the policy unless the alarm comes from a human-activated "panic button" accessory? And how can DPD tell exactly where in the system the alarm was activated?

Thanks to all for some very good answers and tips! That's exactly what I was hoping for. Not so sure he can deal with switching out door frames for steel [[doors already are, save for the odd-size back), but everything else sounds very doable.

That immediate neighborhood would be quite comfortable, save for the repeated break-ins. Neighbors seem quite sure who's doing them-- young guys, after electronics and anything they can easily carry and sell. They've destroyed quality of life for so many families there-- how different is that really from taking a life? I often wonder whether putting their photos and basic info, along with their mother's if they still live at home, in local papers and up on the web. Probably I'm kidding myself-- can't really imagine they have any shame.

Neighbors there tell me to limit my sympathy, that these kids are just after anything they can convert to cash to fill a gas tank, :and/or electronics or cash they can use to impress girls. :-[[

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I don't know what the DPD's "official" policy is. I think it depends who's on patrol, workload, and what kind on mood they're in. The few times I've called, the dispatcher didn't seem interested unless someone was dead and film crews were already there. I can tell you I did have one serious situation and after getting the runaround, I made it a point to take it to Dug-in and Chief Craig's list. It's been a year, and it's never been addressed. Looks like SSDD to me. I wish your friends good luck in their endeavor.

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Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Just like Colt 45, "works everytime".....

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How does a six pack of beer repel a couple of robbers?

Could we maybe get back to Detroit Yes. True I have a wireless alarm. Maybe you should all move to the 7th precinct. Our police are amazingly responsive. Crime exists everywhere. As a community, we need to be pro active, work with police, then they work with you.

A small property tax for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties for emergency alarms could work to bring alarms to everyone, so DPD would respond within 10 minutes. We now have the technology to do this.

Government control is most essential to make the payments for essential services fare. New technologies are replacing older ones and today there is no reason why Detroit residents should have any less access to all basic services than anyone else regardless of income or ability to pay.

Every home should now have an alarm because of NEW smart technologies.

But TGG, I though the issue was the cost of police response to alarms, not the alarms themselves. No matter how expensive or sophisticated the alarm system, and what percentage of households have them or not, doesn't matter if the alarms go off and no one responds.

How would new technology lessen law enforcement's cost to respond to an alarm?

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Originally Posted by Llama

But TGG, I though the issue was the cost of police response to alarms, not the alarms themselves. No matter how expensive or sophisticated the alarm system, and what percentage of households have them or not, doesn't matter if the alarms go off and no one responds.

How would new technology lessen law enforcement's cost to respond to an alarm?

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The use of GPS and telling the difference between a legitimate call or not are just some examples. Everyone can now be protected and should. For example, if a person falls in their home instantly they can get help. Look at how cameras are catching criminals A pix of someone buying an ax at home depot has been possible for a long time but now we are more advanced.

A combination property tax for internet and alarms would work. Government control using SMART technology for protecting and moving people and goods is best for everyone with oversight from the public and the right to vote.

DPD will not respond to an unverified alarm company report for an activated burglar alarm.

Guardian Alarm has a plan for Detroit customers where they send someone out to the property to investigate activated burglar alarms.

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Originally Posted by That Great Guy

A small property tax for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties for emergency alarms could work to bring alarms to everyone, so DPD would respond within 10 minutes. We now have the technology to do this.

Government control is most essential to make the payments for essential services fare. New technologies are replacing older ones and today there is no reason why Detroit residents should have any less access to all basic services than anyone else regardless of income or ability to pay.

Every home should now have an alarm because of NEW smart technologies.

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Everyone can already have an alarm. For a quarter the cost of cable you can get a basic monitored alarm. The problem is having enough responders to cover them all.

For the love of Taxes - jeeeesh - The hailed, high-tech Macomb County communications center,
a $13.5 million facility known as COMTEC, remains largely vacant.

HackTheWack couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.
Even if they have the TECH and tons-o-money , the screwup in politics will ruin it for residents.
Quote - “We ran into some problems with the fiber installation for the computers and software,”
said Vicki Wolber, director of emergency management for the county.
“We can’t use some of the DTE [[electrical) poles and so the installation process is longer than expected.”

Attachment 24545

You want a bankrupt city to create TECH crime enforcement ....ha aha ha ha ha...that's funny

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Originally Posted by Willi

For the love of Taxes - jeeeesh - The hailed, high-tech Macomb County communications center,
a $13.5 million facility known as COMTEC, remains largely vacant.

HackTheWack couldn't find his way out of a paper bag.
Even if they have the TECH and tons-o-money , the screwup in politics will ruin it for residents.
Quote - “We ran into some problems with the fiber installation for the computers and software,”
said Vicki Wolber, director of emergency management for the county.
“We can’t use some of the DTE [[electrical) poles and so the installation process is longer than expected.”

Attachment 24545

You want a bankrupt city to create TECH crime enforcement ....ha aha ha ha ha...that's funny

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YES, YES, YES

And YES to a Sales tax for all of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and higher property taxes for complete regional control of all essential services

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Originally Posted by That Great Guy

YES, YES, YES

And YES to a Sales tax for all of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties and higher property taxes for complete regional control of all essential services

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You advocate for higher property taxes for tri-county residents constantly on this blog. You must live in a rental apartment. If you owned your own home you would not be so quick to wish for higher taxes.

Property taxes should NOT be raised in order to pay for things like cable TV, internet and alarm systems for Detroit residents. Detroit sucks up enough money from the county and state as it is.

If you want these things find a way to pay for them yourself or do without. They are not life necessities. Other people should not have to foot the bill for you to sit around your apartment watching re-runs of Gilligan's Island, playing around on Detroit Yes or cyber-dreaming about buses online.

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Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

You advocate for higher property taxes for tri-county residents constantly on this blog. You must live in a rental apartment. If you owned your own home you would not be so quick to wish for higher taxes.

Property taxes should NOT be raised in order to pay for things like cable TV, internet and alarm systems for Detroit residents. Detroit sucks up enough money from the county and state as it is.

If you want these things find a way to pay for them yourself or do without. They are not life necessities. Other people should not have to foot the bill for you to sit around your apartment watching re-runs of Gilligan's Island, playing around on Detroit Yes or cyber-dreaming about buses online.

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There are folks out there who are very proficient and prolific at spending other peoples money, particularly those that belly up to the public trough.

Before you spend money on an alarm get your neighbors to turn their porch lights on all night. And I don't mean motion detector lights. They need to be on all night. You would be amazed how people resist this simple step.

^^^ Yep, exterior lights on night is the move where possible. Get the twirly-bulbs if you feel it's too much of a electric bill drain...those are the only bulbs you can find anyway...;)...unless you go to the dollar store or Ebay!

Lights at night is always a good idea, but day time burglary happens as well.
Anyone remember the Television series - It Takes a Thief ?
They showed folks getting seriously ripped off in UNDER 10 minutes due to
simply not hardening the common items like windows, doors, garages.
When was the last time you or a neighbor - walked towards an alarm to investigate or help ?
I think an alarm is worthless, especially if money was not spent on serious prevention.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

^^^ Yep, exterior lights on night is the move where possible. Get the twirly-bulbs if you feel it's too much of a electric bill drain...those are the only bulbs you can find anyway...;)...unless you go to the dollar store or Ebay!

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Exterior lights you can use motion detectors with Halogen Bulbs to save.

The halogen bulbs are instant on bright where as the "twirly bulbs" are dim in cold weather and take a while to get bright as do Hi Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapor and Metal Halide bulbs.

If you gonna leave the light on day/night sensor Hi Pressure Sodium is the best value.

I like all of your suggestions but may I add my own:

Purchase a junker car to keep in the driveway so thieves don't know if someone is home. I've found this to be a huge deterrent. 99% of all thieves will only break in to a home if they are sure no one is home.

1. Car in the driveway
2. Porch light on all night [[dawn to dusk timer)
3. Light timers on inside your house as soon as it's dark if you're not home
4. Bars on the windows [[at least on the rear)
5. Dog
6. Metal doors with metal reinforced frame

My neighbor's house in the D was broken into Christmas day at 2pm. They pryed off the rear window, in & out within 5 minutes. I called DPD and they showed up 3 hours later.

Good point! The light is brighter too. I'll ditch the twirlies from my front porch asap.

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

The haologen blbs are instant on bright where as the "twirly bulbs" are dim in cold weather and take a while to get breight as do Hi Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapor and Metal Halide bulbs.

If you gonna leave the light on day/night sensor Hi Pressure Sodium is the best value.

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Another fun thing to do is to get one of those light bulb socket whips like this,

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

and screw it into one of your double lamp motion sensor security light socket's, trim and patch the wires to an extension cord plugged into a...

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...Wvdz70oLL3girw


So when the light is activated so is the boombox that is already switched on and ready to go with a cassette you recorded with dogs barking and you hollering something about "meet my little friend"...

http://images.amcnetworks.com/ifc.co...1_scarface.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Another fun thing to do is to get one of those light bulb socket whips like this,

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

and screw it into one of your double lamp motion sensor security light socket's, trim and patch the wires to an extension cord plugged into a...

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...Wvdz70oLL3girw


So when the light is activated so is the boombox that is already switched on and ready to go with a cassette you recorded with dogs barking and you hollering something about "meet my little friend"...

http://images.amcnetworks.com/ifc.co...1_scarface.jpg

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I'm going to give you some advice, Dan, Ok? "Don't get high on your own supply", hear me? Remember that.......

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Thirteen Pitbulls...

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We have one and she is perfectly adequate. Other dogs don't hurt either. My puggle can scream loud enough to be heard at the 7/11 precinct. Actually looking for one more dog. My babies are aging out. Putz is now 24. Who could believe that a dog could live to be that old. His latest trick is to fart... that can clear a room in a heart beat. I guess a new crime prevention weapon.

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Originally Posted by sumas

We have one and she is perfectly adequate. Other dogs don't hurt either. My puggle can scream loud enough to be heard at the 7/11 precinct. Actually looking for one more dog. My babies are aging out. Putz is now 24. Who could believe that a dog could live to be that old. His latest trick is to fart... that can clear a room in a heart beat. I guess a new crime prevention weapon.

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Yeah that's right, sumas, blame it on the dog... :rolleyes:

I know I would.

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Yeah that's right, sumas, blame it on the dog... :rolleyes:

I know I would.

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You caught me out. I can do amazing puffers. Still and all Putz has me beat all hands down. His breath could take down the empire state building too. I actually do adore that little dog. What an amazing survivor. Absolutely, he is our first defense against home invasion. He sheds too, really sucks for the home invaders that wear that all black apparel replete with hoodies.

Shame ya' can't live in peace and safety on this earth.