The Case for Personal, Estate, Corporate and Child Abduction Security in today's World
When one considers the historical nature of security applications and programs of any type, i.e., CCTV, intrusion detection and alarm systems, corporate policies and programs and countermeasures of any type, the phenomenon of the Denial Syndrome, Complacency and Failure to properly allocate a Security Budget can not be over emphasized. If we, as individuals, as a country and as a government, have not learned anything from the lessons of 911, it is the benefit of being pro-active and utilizing the concept of foreseeability.
No matter how, when or where, the denial syndrome is the one human response mechanism which can be most fatal in any security response program or effort. On too many occasions, individuals, whether VIP's, corporate executives or the neighbor down the street will simply place their hand in the sand and resolve themselves stating to themselves "it won't happen to me".
Too many clients respond to their threats whether due to a: stalker and/or threat from a disgruntled employee or corporate enemy, a Workplace Violence issue, internal thefts - both Estate and Corporate, security issues due to high profile or net worth, corporate espionage, marital disputes, etc., with the denial syndrome. Too many individuals simply feel that they can "safely play the percentages" and ignore the threat or the possible repercussions. The results of this type of complacency is too may times very costly and potentially, deadly.
Then of course, there is the individual or corporate executive who inevitably will analytically determine the ROI does not exist in relation to the threat level. However, the individual almost unilaterally comes to this conclusion, completely ignoring and discounting the recommendations set forth as a result of a properly conducted Vulnerability and Threat Assessment. This response is typical and a perfect example of the "penny wise and pound foolish" attitude.
Anothern aspect of life today, which has become such a serious issue and "threat" to us as individuals, families, and as a country and nation, is "Child Abductions". We too many times, turn on the evening news to hear of yet, another child being abducted. These child predators have no conscience and seek out victims, statistically between the ages of 10-12 but not limited to those ages, more times than not, a young girl and brutally sexually abuse and then murder them. The predator would more than likely prefer to abduct the older person, perhaps a 19 or 20 year old female. However, probably due to the greater degree of resistance and increased difficulty in being successful, the predators choose the younger victims.
It is in these instances that we sharply notice the denial syndrome, complacency and failure to properly budget security in operating in our lives. We plainly need to realize that we no longer live in a society that was as safe as when we grew up. Today, due to many circumstances, one being the overcrowded criminal detention system and the pressures it places on the criminal justice system to plea bargain down felony crimes and another one being the past decades of budget cuts in state and municipal funding of Psychiatric Institutions has placed too many "psych" patients and "predatory criminals" out on the streets and living in our neighborhoods among us.
We, as parents and as a society in general, have to come to grips with the fact that we must be as pro-active. Simple mistakes such as allowing our children to ride their bikes alone, travel (walk) to a friend's house or to school, unescorted can be fatal. We simply can't allow small children to play unsupervised, in any environment, whether it be the driveway, backyard, park or school playground. Predators exist. They are out there, looking for the mistake.
Being pro-active is critical. There are other steps parents can take, such as the use of a GPS watch or cellular phone. Obviously, the wealthier can utilize the services of an armed bodyguard, protection agent to escort their child, such as in the movie "Man On Fire".
Given the nature of today's occurrences, whatever the countermeasure taken, we can be assured, it probably rests within the parameters of sensibility.
For a free community service seminar on "Child Abduction Awareness", J.A. LaSorsa & Associates can be contacted at: 954-783-5020 or via e-mail: jal@lasorsa.com or by visiting: www.lasorsa.com
Mr. LaSorsa manages J.A. LaSorsa & Associates, a South Florida based security consultancy and investigative firm, which provides professional services to include: asset and executive protection, corporate security and loss prevention, litigation support and expert testimony as it relates to premises liability, foreseeability, security negligence and security operations; technical security counter-measures, de-bugging, electronic sweep, anti-wiretapping, safe rooms and security systems consulting, event and tour security, investigations and undercover operations, suspect interviews, surveillances, workplace & school violence intervention & consulting, threat and vulnerability assessments and developing / implementing Crisis/Disaster and Business Continuity Management plans.
Joe has over twenty-nine years of experience, which includes a twenty-year Federal Law Enforcement career as a Senior Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, Presidential Protection Division, the White House. J.A. LaSorsa & Associates can be contacted at: 954-783-5020 or via e-mail: jal@lasorsa.com
===========================================
Ultimate Guide To Home Security And Alarm Systems. Home Security, Security Alarm Systems, Security Cameras, Security Video Systems, Door Security, Locks And Much More, Home Security E-book Guide Designed To Protect Homeowners And Real Estate. To find out more, please visit http://be97coxkymzcny18y9b5s8s9m0.hop.clickbank.net/
===========================================
Neww Items about Home Security Alarm Protection Methods and Systems
Friday
Best Home Security Method is Burglar Alarms
Burglar Alarms – The Best Form Of Home Security
Author: Dave Butler
Well, if you have already been burgled then you know the answer to that. So many people think that home security is something they must do, but don’t really get around to doing anything about it. By not taking action and addressing your home security weaknesses you are running a big risk. TV’s, hi-fi’s and games machines can easily be replaced but can you really afford to lose all of your personal possessions, precious heirlooms and sentimental items of value and importance? The following are the many ways that you can improve your home security and give peace of mind that your home is properly protected.
Burglar Alarm Systems
This should be the first home improvement you must make if you want to increase your home security. Alarm systems generally consist of a control panel, siren and a variety of sensors to trigger a burglar intrusion. There is a choice of hard wired or wireless type systems. Wireless systems are a very popular choice as they are cheap and easy to install although sensors require a regular battery change. Technology has improved somewhat and they are less prone to false alerts nowadays. Hard wired systems are generally more permanent and more stable and used in professional installations. They have higher install costs and there will be a lot of disruption during installation.
Monitored Home Security
Monitored home security is when your home burglar alarm system is connected to a alarm monitoring company and their job is to watch over your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your alarm is triggered they will send out help to assist with your emergency, be it police, fire or ambulance. They will charge a small monthly fee but you may find that by having monitored home security your insurance premium may drop – thus offsetting the monitoring costs.
Security Cameras
Closed Circuit Television or CCTV is a popular method to visually and sometimes audibly, monitor and record activity directly outside your property. There are simple, inexpensive systems that simply send a signal to your TV or a monitor for you to view. Or there are more sophisticated systems that can record images and video digitally from many security cameras that may be monitoring your property. The digital images can sometimes be viewed remotely, all around the world via the internet. There are many choices of camera. Again, security cameras can be both hard wired and wireless, color or black and white and some even operate in the dark via infrared.
External Security Lighting
External security lighting is one of the cheapest - yet effective - home security improvements you can make. The burglar does not want to be seen when breaking into a property so external lighting will be sure to put him off. It is recommended to buy the security lighting with an attached PIR motion sensor this will switch on immediately when movement is detected.
Deadbolts Locks For Securing Doors
Deadbolt locks provide an additional security obstacle for your external doors and will make it nigh on impossible for the burglar to get into your property via the protected door. These days biometrics are becoming popular offering keyless locks with gadgets such as fingerprint readers to allow the door to be opened.
Driveway Monitors
A driveway monitor will detect the entry of someone onto your land giving you an early warning of someone’s presence. It could be an expected visitor, friend or neighbour, but it could equally be an unwanted intruder.
Security Window Bars
Security window bars provide both a visual and physical deterrent to a burglar making them think twice about breaking into a property. A burglar does not want to draw attention to himself when breaking into a property and also wants to be very quick to enter the property. By installing window bars you will slow him down and he will create noise when trying to remove the window bars. This should be enough for him to move on, even before he has attempted a break-in.
These are just a few of the many ways to prevent to burglar entering your property and making off with your property and valuables.
Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Burglar-Alarms-The-Best-Form-Of-Home-Security/1199251
About the Author:
Learn more about home security and for more great advice on burglar alarm systems go to securehomeadvice.com.
===========================================
Ultimate Guide To Home Security And Alarm Systems. Home Security, Security Alarm Systems, Security Cameras, Security Video Systems, Door Security, Locks And Much More, Home Security E-book Guide Designed To Protect Homeowners And Real Estate. To find out more, visit http://be97coxkymzcny18y9b5s8s9m0.hop.clickbank.net/
===========================================
How to Choose Home Alarm Security System
Don't get caught dangerously short when it comes to protecting your loved ones or even your property. Make sure you give very serious consideration to buying and installing a home security alarm system that will provide first class protection from break ins, burglary, and even possibly life threatening home invasion situations. You can get some excellent advice at eHow.com on How to Choose a Home Alarm System. This information will help you in choosing a home alarm system that will give you the peace of mind you need and deserve.
==================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
==================================
==================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
==================================
Tuesday
Avoiding Six Common Criminal Types
Six Common Criminal Types And How To Avoid Them
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" that saying is as true for crime, as it is for health. After taking literally thousands of reports over the years I spent as a police officer; I found that a lot of crimes that had happened could have been prevented. The easiest and most effective way of dealing with crime is not be a victim of it in the first place. This is easier said then done, and no matter how cautious you are you can still be a victim. Nothing will give you a 100% guarantee; however, there are things you can do to at least limit your odds of being a victim. But first; you have to know what you are preventing yourself from, in order to know how to prevent against it. This article will in general show you some of the common criminal types, and give some suggestions on how to avoid them. I have made up my own classifications for these people based upon my experience as a police officer.
Passive thieves:
Passive thieves are those who steal but are not aggressive towards their victims. They prefer their victims not to be around. These people usually are the ones who will break into your car, home, business etc. They are impulsive and really do not think much about the penalties they will face if they get caught. Sometimes they pre plan to do a crime, but other times they see an opportunity and go for it. For example: a thief is walking through a parking lot and sees a laptop sitting on the front seat of a unoccupied vehicle. Next thing you know the window is smashed and the laptop is gone.
Now the thief didn't preplan to take the laptop, or to target that particular vehicle. They just saw an opportunity and went for it, without even thinking for a second about who the victim is, or what will happen to them if they get caught. Some of the common items they steal are cash, checks, credit cards, purses, laptops, or if they break into your home they will also target: desktop computers, TV's, VCR's, DVD player, tools, jewelry, basically anything they think they can turn into cash. These types of criminals are some of the easiest to deal with from a preventative nature. Because they are always looking for an easy opportunity, your best defense is not to give them one. Some of the common things people (potential victims) inadvertently do which create easy opportunities are listed below.
? Leaving their keys in the car
? Leaving the house unlocked
? Leaving the car unlocked
? Making it obvious that they are gone for an extended period of time.
? Leaving valuables in the car that are in plain view
? Leaving their vehicle running while unattended
? Leaving their purse in the shopping cart while shopping
These are just a few examples to give you the general idea. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I cover the above bulleted items in much greater detail. I also break down 11 specific crimes and give more preventive tips, and I include what to do after the fact.
Aggressive thieves:
These types of criminals are much more dangerous and much harder to prevent against. They mostly focus on doing armed robberies, and expect their victims to be there. They are violent in nature and very unpredictable. They care nothing about the victim, and lately it appears that they are more then willing to kill. The do pre plan their crimes somewhat but not usually very well, their main tool of control is their intimidation, and the weapon they carry. Even without a weapon they can be dangerous and will fight ferociously. They usually wont stay around long if they are just robbing a business, or an individual on the street. However; if they take the victim somewhere or get into get them in a insolated area, then the crime may turn to rape, aggravated assault, or murder. Here are some activities which may invite this type of problem.
? Not being aware of you surroundings
? Being alone late at night, or in unsafe areas
? Displaying large amounts of cash or valuables
? Working at convenience stores, or gas stations.
? Letting people in your home that you do not know.
In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I give detailed explanations about the above bullets, and what to do about it.
Passive Assaulters:
These are your date rape type. They are not actively aggressive however they are sneakier. They preplan their attacks, or take advantage of someone who has put themselves in a vulnerable position ( for example someone who is passed out from intoxication or drug use). They will appear to be your friend and then slip something in your drink (date rape drug) to knock you out, where they can then take advantage of you. The unfaithful business traveler can also fall victim to these criminals. Only this time it will be an attractive female who acts as if she is attracted to him. When they get alone she will slip something in his drink to knock him out and then rob him. Usually the unfaithful business traveler is too embarrassed to report this type of crime so you don't hear about it much. The date rape criminal is the one you need to be concerned about. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I give a complete explanation on date rape and what to look for including the following topics:
? Potential date rapist behavioral signs that should raise a red flag
? Circumstances that are favorable to this crime and how to avoid them
? Preventative tips for both rape and date rape
? Suggestions of what to do when confronted with a rapist
Alcohol induced troublemakers:
These types of people are normally pretty descent people, but when they drink they become a monster. We had one person who was huge, strong as an ox, and when he drank look out it was going to be fight night. We would always have to wrestle with him, once we had him cuffed and in the back seat of the car. He would sit and smash his head against the plastic divider so hard that he would cut it open, and then off to the hospital we would go. Once he got into a cell he would do the same thing against the cell wall cutting his head open and again off to the hospital we would go. Usually arresting him meant a fight, two trips to the hospital, and having at least three officers tied up for hours. Yet when he was sober he was the nicest guy, alcohol just made him extremely violent. Of course he mixed a few drugs in there too, but alcohol was the main cause for his violence. You will encounter these types at the bar, sporting events, large parties, and unfortunately sometimes weddings. The best defense against these types is just stay clear of them, and don't get into any confrontations with them.
Silent Assaulters:
These are typically your domestic violence types. They are outwardly pretty meek and mild, where most people that know them outside of the home would never think they are domestic abusers; however, inside the home structure they are very controlling, and that control is enforced through physical assaults and psychological degradation. I remember one incident where a woman was severely beaten by her live in boyfriend. She was surprised that she ever got into this situation. She stated that she was an educated professional woman, and her abuser was a well educated man making a six figure income. According to her, he is kind off a geek that nobody would give a second thought of as far as being a threat. However, he beat her so badly that she was hospitalized with a closed head injury. It's very important to really know the person you are getting involved with. Many times red flags will appear early in the relationship that are signs that the person could be a domestic abuser. I have written a complete section on domestic violence which is covered in my book "Crime Awareness 101." In that section I talk about what to look for, preventative measures to take, the cycle of violence, plus what to do when you are a victim. I also list numerous support groups and other resources.
Thinkers:
These are criminals who are better known as con artists. They pre plan their scams and are usually very good at them. They are normally non violent, very good at getting your trust, and talking their way out of situations. They offer free trips, discounted services, money, etc? whatever they offer its just front to get you interested, in the end they are going to take your money. They may also pose as your Medical Insurance carrier, Bank, Credit Card Company, etc, and con you into telling them your personal information. These con artists attempt their scams in person, over the phone, and through the internet. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I wrote a chapter on scams which list some of the more common scams and what to look out for. In the members area of my website http://www.crimeawareness101.com I list, and consistently update even more scams.
About the author: Scott Shaper is a former police officer with over fourteen year's law enforcement experience. He is also the author of the book "Crime Awareness 101", and the operator of the website http://www.crimeawareness101.com. Visit his website for more crime prevention articles and information about his book.
=======================================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
=======================================================
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" that saying is as true for crime, as it is for health. After taking literally thousands of reports over the years I spent as a police officer; I found that a lot of crimes that had happened could have been prevented. The easiest and most effective way of dealing with crime is not be a victim of it in the first place. This is easier said then done, and no matter how cautious you are you can still be a victim. Nothing will give you a 100% guarantee; however, there are things you can do to at least limit your odds of being a victim. But first; you have to know what you are preventing yourself from, in order to know how to prevent against it. This article will in general show you some of the common criminal types, and give some suggestions on how to avoid them. I have made up my own classifications for these people based upon my experience as a police officer.
Passive thieves:
Passive thieves are those who steal but are not aggressive towards their victims. They prefer their victims not to be around. These people usually are the ones who will break into your car, home, business etc. They are impulsive and really do not think much about the penalties they will face if they get caught. Sometimes they pre plan to do a crime, but other times they see an opportunity and go for it. For example: a thief is walking through a parking lot and sees a laptop sitting on the front seat of a unoccupied vehicle. Next thing you know the window is smashed and the laptop is gone.
Now the thief didn't preplan to take the laptop, or to target that particular vehicle. They just saw an opportunity and went for it, without even thinking for a second about who the victim is, or what will happen to them if they get caught. Some of the common items they steal are cash, checks, credit cards, purses, laptops, or if they break into your home they will also target: desktop computers, TV's, VCR's, DVD player, tools, jewelry, basically anything they think they can turn into cash. These types of criminals are some of the easiest to deal with from a preventative nature. Because they are always looking for an easy opportunity, your best defense is not to give them one. Some of the common things people (potential victims) inadvertently do which create easy opportunities are listed below.
? Leaving their keys in the car
? Leaving the house unlocked
? Leaving the car unlocked
? Making it obvious that they are gone for an extended period of time.
? Leaving valuables in the car that are in plain view
? Leaving their vehicle running while unattended
? Leaving their purse in the shopping cart while shopping
These are just a few examples to give you the general idea. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I cover the above bulleted items in much greater detail. I also break down 11 specific crimes and give more preventive tips, and I include what to do after the fact.
Aggressive thieves:
These types of criminals are much more dangerous and much harder to prevent against. They mostly focus on doing armed robberies, and expect their victims to be there. They are violent in nature and very unpredictable. They care nothing about the victim, and lately it appears that they are more then willing to kill. The do pre plan their crimes somewhat but not usually very well, their main tool of control is their intimidation, and the weapon they carry. Even without a weapon they can be dangerous and will fight ferociously. They usually wont stay around long if they are just robbing a business, or an individual on the street. However; if they take the victim somewhere or get into get them in a insolated area, then the crime may turn to rape, aggravated assault, or murder. Here are some activities which may invite this type of problem.
? Not being aware of you surroundings
? Being alone late at night, or in unsafe areas
? Displaying large amounts of cash or valuables
? Working at convenience stores, or gas stations.
? Letting people in your home that you do not know.
In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I give detailed explanations about the above bullets, and what to do about it.
Passive Assaulters:
These are your date rape type. They are not actively aggressive however they are sneakier. They preplan their attacks, or take advantage of someone who has put themselves in a vulnerable position ( for example someone who is passed out from intoxication or drug use). They will appear to be your friend and then slip something in your drink (date rape drug) to knock you out, where they can then take advantage of you. The unfaithful business traveler can also fall victim to these criminals. Only this time it will be an attractive female who acts as if she is attracted to him. When they get alone she will slip something in his drink to knock him out and then rob him. Usually the unfaithful business traveler is too embarrassed to report this type of crime so you don't hear about it much. The date rape criminal is the one you need to be concerned about. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I give a complete explanation on date rape and what to look for including the following topics:
? Potential date rapist behavioral signs that should raise a red flag
? Circumstances that are favorable to this crime and how to avoid them
? Preventative tips for both rape and date rape
? Suggestions of what to do when confronted with a rapist
Alcohol induced troublemakers:
These types of people are normally pretty descent people, but when they drink they become a monster. We had one person who was huge, strong as an ox, and when he drank look out it was going to be fight night. We would always have to wrestle with him, once we had him cuffed and in the back seat of the car. He would sit and smash his head against the plastic divider so hard that he would cut it open, and then off to the hospital we would go. Once he got into a cell he would do the same thing against the cell wall cutting his head open and again off to the hospital we would go. Usually arresting him meant a fight, two trips to the hospital, and having at least three officers tied up for hours. Yet when he was sober he was the nicest guy, alcohol just made him extremely violent. Of course he mixed a few drugs in there too, but alcohol was the main cause for his violence. You will encounter these types at the bar, sporting events, large parties, and unfortunately sometimes weddings. The best defense against these types is just stay clear of them, and don't get into any confrontations with them.
Silent Assaulters:
These are typically your domestic violence types. They are outwardly pretty meek and mild, where most people that know them outside of the home would never think they are domestic abusers; however, inside the home structure they are very controlling, and that control is enforced through physical assaults and psychological degradation. I remember one incident where a woman was severely beaten by her live in boyfriend. She was surprised that she ever got into this situation. She stated that she was an educated professional woman, and her abuser was a well educated man making a six figure income. According to her, he is kind off a geek that nobody would give a second thought of as far as being a threat. However, he beat her so badly that she was hospitalized with a closed head injury. It's very important to really know the person you are getting involved with. Many times red flags will appear early in the relationship that are signs that the person could be a domestic abuser. I have written a complete section on domestic violence which is covered in my book "Crime Awareness 101." In that section I talk about what to look for, preventative measures to take, the cycle of violence, plus what to do when you are a victim. I also list numerous support groups and other resources.
Thinkers:
These are criminals who are better known as con artists. They pre plan their scams and are usually very good at them. They are normally non violent, very good at getting your trust, and talking their way out of situations. They offer free trips, discounted services, money, etc? whatever they offer its just front to get you interested, in the end they are going to take your money. They may also pose as your Medical Insurance carrier, Bank, Credit Card Company, etc, and con you into telling them your personal information. These con artists attempt their scams in person, over the phone, and through the internet. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I wrote a chapter on scams which list some of the more common scams and what to look out for. In the members area of my website http://www.crimeawareness101.com I list, and consistently update even more scams.
About the author: Scott Shaper is a former police officer with over fourteen year's law enforcement experience. He is also the author of the book "Crime Awareness 101", and the operator of the website http://www.crimeawareness101.com. Visit his website for more crime prevention articles and information about his book.
=======================================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
=======================================================
Monday
Alarm Control is Security System Brain
The alarm control is the brain of your security system. It is typically placed in an area that is out of the way like a basement, attic, closet or office. The motherboard and additional components such as radio receivers, backup power supply and zone expanders are inside this metal box, which is often locked. You will have little or no interface with the alarm control. Your alarm technician will need to access this unit to program it and wire it to general standards, or your custom standards.
There are many manufacturers of alarm controls. Each manufacturer will also produce several models within a particular product line. Alarm companies purchase direct from the manufacturer or more often buy their products through one of a few available alarm distributors in their area. These distributors and manufacturers do not sell product to the non- professional consumer. You can buy this equipment on line if you have the ability to install it and service it yourself.
As a general rule the controls that are most dependable and have the most programming options are more costly. I will teach you how to get the best control you can find as this will greatly affect your ease of use and your ability to have your alarm adjusted to fit your lifestyle.
In the interest of keeping this device as understandable as possible for you, I will forgo the intense and hundreds of differences among these units and I will break them into a few categories that should make more sense to you.
BASIC
There are many basic units available to the alarm dealer. They will often use these units knowing that the average consumer does not know the difference, and they will stock them at very little expense. A less qualified installer can also install these basic units, because there are few or no programming and wiring options.
(HOT TIP!)
What you should be most concerned about when it comes to these basic units is that we professionals refer to many of them as " CROWBAR SYSTEMS." These systems come as a control, keypad, siren, communicator and backup power supply all built into one unit. If a burglar breaks into your place and hears a siren coming from this unit, they are going to take the proverbial crowbar and smash it off the wall. At this time you would no longer have a control, keypad, siren, backup power supply or communicator to call for help. A lot of good that would do for you!
Now that you are educated in the pitfalls of a self contained unit I doubt that anyone will be able to sell you one, or even give you one for that matter.
AVERAGE
The majority of systems that professional alarm companies install fall into this category. They are dependable for the most part based on how long the model has been on the market. Some of these manufacturers have stuck with their dependable product lines for well over 20 years. Some of the newer models have nice new features but when it comes to mid-range units I have always avoided turning my clients into product testers. These units are comprised of any number of separate components that are wired together to make your complete system. This way if someone knocks a siren or keypad or any other component off the wall the alarm still does what it needs to do. The control panel in this range typically comes with at least eight zones. Zones give you the ability to use all or part of your system; you will also be able to pinpoint with some accuracy where a violation has taken place. An example of using part of your system would be as follows:
*You are staying home and want only your perimeter devices on and your interior devices off.
* You are lounging in the back yard and want to go in and out of the back door so you bypass that door and motion detector while protecting the remainder of the house.
* You are leaving work for the evening and your employees are staying late so you bypass the work area and arm the office so no one can enter that area.
When choosing your alarm company avoid the dealer that has many brands and models available to you in this range. That could mean that they are buying whatever is on sale that week from the distributor. The dealer that has used the same model for many years is more proficient when it comes to installing, programming options and servicing of that model.
HIGH END
If you know what you want in an alarm system and realize that these high-end systems can be programmed to do exactly what you want them to do for many different scenarios, you would settle for nothing less. All of your presets can be activated usually with the touch of one button. It is my experience that all of the many different features of these type of controls are designed for ease of use by the end user (That's You!) and not the alarm dealer. They come with many zones so you have complete control over every aspect of your protection. These units can even be serviced remotely when changes are requested saving everyone time and money.
It takes a more qualified professional to properly install, find out what your requirements are, program the alarm to fit your lifestyle, and then teach you how simple it is to operate. I would assume you are like me and want the best-qualified installer you can find to work inside your home.
(HOT TIP!)
Find the dealer that places the highest number of installs in your area. Because of the volume they buy in, they will get the high-end equipment for the same price the rest of the dealers pay for the average equipment. They should always be willing to use the high-end equipment without extra cost to you, because it sets them apart from the others and due to the quality of equipment, they don't carry the expenses of maintaining a large service team.
WHO CAN YOU CALL?
BBB, Burglar Alarm Associations (both local and national), State licensing authority or my favorite the promotions or sales manager of your potential alarm dealer, and let them know you know the difference!
Lets look at a typical zone layout for a control panel so that you can understand the way it is wired and programmed works.
ZONE 1- (DELAY) This zone is where the doors from which you most often enter and exit are. When you turn your alarm on, the exit delay will start a timer (programmed to your specifications, if requested) allowing you time to get out. Once the exit time has expired, (usually about 30-60 seconds.) the alarm will be in the on or "armed" condition.
When you return to your home or business and enter through the delay doors an entry timer begins. This timer is usually set at about 15-30 seconds. You do not want to have a long entry time as a burglar entering through a delay zone has the same amount of time in your protected area before the alarm goes off. During this time you would go to the nearest keypad and enter your code to turn your alarm off.
(IN THE KNOW!)
The delay doors have a chime feature that can easily be turned on or off. Most people elect to leave this feature on all the time, so that they can hear a tone when the alarm is off and someone enters. The high-end systems can be programmed to have a different tone for each door. If you can spare a zone have your delay doors put on separate zones as opposed to having them share one, and request that your control be programmed for different tones.
ZONE 2- (INSTANT PERIMETER) This zone would be for other than delay doors. The back yard door and the master bedroom to deck doors are good examples of these types of doors. There is no delay timer on these doors and when the alarm is on and entry is made the alarm will go off instantly.
ZONE 3- (INTERIOR) This zone is for your motion detector on the main floor. When you enter through a delay door the motion will delay also, giving you the ability to get to the keypad to turn off or "disarm" your system. If you do not enter through a delay door first and the motion sees you it will go into an alarm condition instantly. When you are staying home or arming your business system without leaving, you can arm your system in the stay mode. This will bypass your interior zone or zones allowing you to move around without restrictions while still having your perimeter secured.
ZONE 4-(INTERIOR) This zone is for your basement motion detector. It will function the same as your main floor motion detector.
(HOT TIP!)
Most alarm technicians will put multiple motion detectors on a single interior zone. I like to be sure these are separated, so that you have the flexibility of deciding which stays on and which are bypassed, when armed in the stay mode. This would be handy if you have an unfinished basement with windows, and you have no need to access that area while armed in the stay mode. This also gives you pinpoint indications of which area has been or is being violated when the alarm sounds.
ZONE 5- (INSTANT) This zone is for basement or lower level door or window contacts.
ZONE 6- (INSTANT) This zone is for main or upper level window contacts.
ZONE 7- (INSTANT) This zone is for main floor glass break detectors.
ZONE 8- (FIRE) This zone is for smoke and heat detectors. Any zone that is designated as a fire zone is on 24 hours a day even if the alarm is not armed.
As you can see there is great flexibility in the way your alarm control gets set up for you. In all my years in the business I have rarely seen an alarm company discuss this with the customer. Typically they will create a general setup standard and tell the client this is how this works. Understanding that you should be involved in this process helps you design a system that fits into your lifestyle instead of having to adjust your lifestyle to your new alarm system.
This is yet another reason to be sure you are getting the most bang for your buck when selecting an alarm control.
(INSIDER INFO!)
The alarm installer most likely has the ability to program a lockout code into your alarm control. This code prevents a different monitoring or service company in the future from re-programming your system, rendering it useless unless you do business with the installing dealer. Insist on "NO LOCKOUT CODE" in writing from your installing dealer. This way they have to earn your future business, leaving your freedom of choice intact.
Hardwired Systems vs. Wireless- Hardwired systems are those that have the devices wired directly to the control. Wireless systems send radio signals to a receiver in the control, which processes the signals. There is nothing more dependable than a pair of copper wires to send a signal from point A to point B. I would recommend a hardwired system over a wireless system in all instances where one can be installed. However there are times when the only thing that can be installed in your place is a wireless or "radio frequency" system.
If there is no basement or a finished one, and there is no accessible attic to run wire through, you would have to go wireless to have your system installed. In the wireless world there is a great range of quality available. Wireless equipment is more costly than hardwired equipment in general because each device has a radio transmitter built into it or attached to it. If you need to go wireless make sure you are getting the highest quality radios available. Some use common frequencies like 900 megahertz and others use licensed frequencies to transmit signals. The latter is the better one because there is little that will interfere with the signal. Some of the things that could interfere with the common frequencies are airplanes, CB radios, cell towers etc.
A good way to look at the differences in the quality of wireless equipment is to think of a wireless home telephone. The cheap $20.00 unit uses common frequencies. It works, but often has static and drops out. Sometimes you hear a neighbor with the same phone frequency talking. The range you can wander from the base is often less than desirable. The $100.00 unit makes all the difference in the world and, although you hated spending the extra money on the replacement, you appreciate the quality gained.
I would rather not have an alarm system at all, before I would have one that I don't use because it is always going off for no apparent reason. The high- end wireless equipment is extremely dependable and you must be prepared to spend a little extra to assure you are at this end of the quality spectrum.
(FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!)
If you have an area such as a basement or accessible attic to run wires in, and your alarm company wants to sell to you or give you a wireless system, consider not doing business with them. They are most likely going to use low quality, inexpensive wireless equipment and also save on the cost of installation. A wireless system takes less time for workers to install because they don't need to take the time or to have the skill to hide the wires.
Wireless equipment has several other shortcomings that are unavoidable no matter what the quality of equipment you get:
* The transmitters are large and having one on each of your doors is not as aesthetically pleasing as the small hardwired devices.
* The transmitters have batteries in them that have to be changed periodically.
* Many wireless systems will not tell you if a transmitter is not working, so you have a false sense of security.
* Wireless devices are frequency and brand specific so they must match the manufacturer of the control. Updating your control in the future could thus render all your devices useless or restrict your choices in control features.
Hardwired devices of any brand with a few exceptions can be wired directly to any brand control. So if you are upgrading an existing hardwired system you will most likely be able to use the old contacts, motion detectors, smoke detectors, glass break detectors, etc.
One advantage of wireless equipment is that you can place devices exactly where you want them in what would be a complicated hardwire situation. There are great high quality systems at your disposal if a wireless system is a necessity for your installation.
You can also add a wireless receiver to any hardwired control at any time, so that you can transmit one or several devices to it. We call this a hybrid system, since it is now both hardwired and wireless. Reducing the amount of wireless devices on your system will reduce your cost and increase your dependability. The same rule applies to a wireless system since you can hardwire in any device that you can get a wire to.
Be advised that even if you have a wireless system, there are still a few things that must be hardwired to it, such as the keypad, power transformer, sirens and phone line. This may restrict placement of the control panel to an area that is wire accessible to all of these devices. It is worth repeating. There is nothing more dependable than a pair of copper wires to send a signal from point A to point B. If any wire would happen to get cut, it would open the circuit causing an alarm if the system is on.
Compare Apples to Apples- As you can see there is, as with most things in life a great range of quality available to you when choosing an alarm system and its components. Taking the time needed to compare all features of each component of your proposed alarm system will always be to your advantage. Most any alarm consultant will jump to the high end of available equipment, if their potential customer is asking for the differences to be explained.
Matthew is a 22-year veteran of the alarm system industry. He now works as a consumer advocate, teaching consumers how to buy or get systems for free (without being taken).He is committed to being unbiased.
His web site is http://www.expertsknow.com
alarms@expertsknow.com
==============================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
==============================================
There are many manufacturers of alarm controls. Each manufacturer will also produce several models within a particular product line. Alarm companies purchase direct from the manufacturer or more often buy their products through one of a few available alarm distributors in their area. These distributors and manufacturers do not sell product to the non- professional consumer. You can buy this equipment on line if you have the ability to install it and service it yourself.
As a general rule the controls that are most dependable and have the most programming options are more costly. I will teach you how to get the best control you can find as this will greatly affect your ease of use and your ability to have your alarm adjusted to fit your lifestyle.
In the interest of keeping this device as understandable as possible for you, I will forgo the intense and hundreds of differences among these units and I will break them into a few categories that should make more sense to you.
BASIC
There are many basic units available to the alarm dealer. They will often use these units knowing that the average consumer does not know the difference, and they will stock them at very little expense. A less qualified installer can also install these basic units, because there are few or no programming and wiring options.
(HOT TIP!)
What you should be most concerned about when it comes to these basic units is that we professionals refer to many of them as " CROWBAR SYSTEMS." These systems come as a control, keypad, siren, communicator and backup power supply all built into one unit. If a burglar breaks into your place and hears a siren coming from this unit, they are going to take the proverbial crowbar and smash it off the wall. At this time you would no longer have a control, keypad, siren, backup power supply or communicator to call for help. A lot of good that would do for you!
Now that you are educated in the pitfalls of a self contained unit I doubt that anyone will be able to sell you one, or even give you one for that matter.
AVERAGE
The majority of systems that professional alarm companies install fall into this category. They are dependable for the most part based on how long the model has been on the market. Some of these manufacturers have stuck with their dependable product lines for well over 20 years. Some of the newer models have nice new features but when it comes to mid-range units I have always avoided turning my clients into product testers. These units are comprised of any number of separate components that are wired together to make your complete system. This way if someone knocks a siren or keypad or any other component off the wall the alarm still does what it needs to do. The control panel in this range typically comes with at least eight zones. Zones give you the ability to use all or part of your system; you will also be able to pinpoint with some accuracy where a violation has taken place. An example of using part of your system would be as follows:
*You are staying home and want only your perimeter devices on and your interior devices off.
* You are lounging in the back yard and want to go in and out of the back door so you bypass that door and motion detector while protecting the remainder of the house.
* You are leaving work for the evening and your employees are staying late so you bypass the work area and arm the office so no one can enter that area.
When choosing your alarm company avoid the dealer that has many brands and models available to you in this range. That could mean that they are buying whatever is on sale that week from the distributor. The dealer that has used the same model for many years is more proficient when it comes to installing, programming options and servicing of that model.
HIGH END
If you know what you want in an alarm system and realize that these high-end systems can be programmed to do exactly what you want them to do for many different scenarios, you would settle for nothing less. All of your presets can be activated usually with the touch of one button. It is my experience that all of the many different features of these type of controls are designed for ease of use by the end user (That's You!) and not the alarm dealer. They come with many zones so you have complete control over every aspect of your protection. These units can even be serviced remotely when changes are requested saving everyone time and money.
It takes a more qualified professional to properly install, find out what your requirements are, program the alarm to fit your lifestyle, and then teach you how simple it is to operate. I would assume you are like me and want the best-qualified installer you can find to work inside your home.
(HOT TIP!)
Find the dealer that places the highest number of installs in your area. Because of the volume they buy in, they will get the high-end equipment for the same price the rest of the dealers pay for the average equipment. They should always be willing to use the high-end equipment without extra cost to you, because it sets them apart from the others and due to the quality of equipment, they don't carry the expenses of maintaining a large service team.
WHO CAN YOU CALL?
BBB, Burglar Alarm Associations (both local and national), State licensing authority or my favorite the promotions or sales manager of your potential alarm dealer, and let them know you know the difference!
Lets look at a typical zone layout for a control panel so that you can understand the way it is wired and programmed works.
ZONE 1- (DELAY) This zone is where the doors from which you most often enter and exit are. When you turn your alarm on, the exit delay will start a timer (programmed to your specifications, if requested) allowing you time to get out. Once the exit time has expired, (usually about 30-60 seconds.) the alarm will be in the on or "armed" condition.
When you return to your home or business and enter through the delay doors an entry timer begins. This timer is usually set at about 15-30 seconds. You do not want to have a long entry time as a burglar entering through a delay zone has the same amount of time in your protected area before the alarm goes off. During this time you would go to the nearest keypad and enter your code to turn your alarm off.
(IN THE KNOW!)
The delay doors have a chime feature that can easily be turned on or off. Most people elect to leave this feature on all the time, so that they can hear a tone when the alarm is off and someone enters. The high-end systems can be programmed to have a different tone for each door. If you can spare a zone have your delay doors put on separate zones as opposed to having them share one, and request that your control be programmed for different tones.
ZONE 2- (INSTANT PERIMETER) This zone would be for other than delay doors. The back yard door and the master bedroom to deck doors are good examples of these types of doors. There is no delay timer on these doors and when the alarm is on and entry is made the alarm will go off instantly.
ZONE 3- (INTERIOR) This zone is for your motion detector on the main floor. When you enter through a delay door the motion will delay also, giving you the ability to get to the keypad to turn off or "disarm" your system. If you do not enter through a delay door first and the motion sees you it will go into an alarm condition instantly. When you are staying home or arming your business system without leaving, you can arm your system in the stay mode. This will bypass your interior zone or zones allowing you to move around without restrictions while still having your perimeter secured.
ZONE 4-(INTERIOR) This zone is for your basement motion detector. It will function the same as your main floor motion detector.
(HOT TIP!)
Most alarm technicians will put multiple motion detectors on a single interior zone. I like to be sure these are separated, so that you have the flexibility of deciding which stays on and which are bypassed, when armed in the stay mode. This would be handy if you have an unfinished basement with windows, and you have no need to access that area while armed in the stay mode. This also gives you pinpoint indications of which area has been or is being violated when the alarm sounds.
ZONE 5- (INSTANT) This zone is for basement or lower level door or window contacts.
ZONE 6- (INSTANT) This zone is for main or upper level window contacts.
ZONE 7- (INSTANT) This zone is for main floor glass break detectors.
ZONE 8- (FIRE) This zone is for smoke and heat detectors. Any zone that is designated as a fire zone is on 24 hours a day even if the alarm is not armed.
As you can see there is great flexibility in the way your alarm control gets set up for you. In all my years in the business I have rarely seen an alarm company discuss this with the customer. Typically they will create a general setup standard and tell the client this is how this works. Understanding that you should be involved in this process helps you design a system that fits into your lifestyle instead of having to adjust your lifestyle to your new alarm system.
This is yet another reason to be sure you are getting the most bang for your buck when selecting an alarm control.
(INSIDER INFO!)
The alarm installer most likely has the ability to program a lockout code into your alarm control. This code prevents a different monitoring or service company in the future from re-programming your system, rendering it useless unless you do business with the installing dealer. Insist on "NO LOCKOUT CODE" in writing from your installing dealer. This way they have to earn your future business, leaving your freedom of choice intact.
Hardwired Systems vs. Wireless- Hardwired systems are those that have the devices wired directly to the control. Wireless systems send radio signals to a receiver in the control, which processes the signals. There is nothing more dependable than a pair of copper wires to send a signal from point A to point B. I would recommend a hardwired system over a wireless system in all instances where one can be installed. However there are times when the only thing that can be installed in your place is a wireless or "radio frequency" system.
If there is no basement or a finished one, and there is no accessible attic to run wire through, you would have to go wireless to have your system installed. In the wireless world there is a great range of quality available. Wireless equipment is more costly than hardwired equipment in general because each device has a radio transmitter built into it or attached to it. If you need to go wireless make sure you are getting the highest quality radios available. Some use common frequencies like 900 megahertz and others use licensed frequencies to transmit signals. The latter is the better one because there is little that will interfere with the signal. Some of the things that could interfere with the common frequencies are airplanes, CB radios, cell towers etc.
A good way to look at the differences in the quality of wireless equipment is to think of a wireless home telephone. The cheap $20.00 unit uses common frequencies. It works, but often has static and drops out. Sometimes you hear a neighbor with the same phone frequency talking. The range you can wander from the base is often less than desirable. The $100.00 unit makes all the difference in the world and, although you hated spending the extra money on the replacement, you appreciate the quality gained.
I would rather not have an alarm system at all, before I would have one that I don't use because it is always going off for no apparent reason. The high- end wireless equipment is extremely dependable and you must be prepared to spend a little extra to assure you are at this end of the quality spectrum.
(FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!)
If you have an area such as a basement or accessible attic to run wires in, and your alarm company wants to sell to you or give you a wireless system, consider not doing business with them. They are most likely going to use low quality, inexpensive wireless equipment and also save on the cost of installation. A wireless system takes less time for workers to install because they don't need to take the time or to have the skill to hide the wires.
Wireless equipment has several other shortcomings that are unavoidable no matter what the quality of equipment you get:
* The transmitters are large and having one on each of your doors is not as aesthetically pleasing as the small hardwired devices.
* The transmitters have batteries in them that have to be changed periodically.
* Many wireless systems will not tell you if a transmitter is not working, so you have a false sense of security.
* Wireless devices are frequency and brand specific so they must match the manufacturer of the control. Updating your control in the future could thus render all your devices useless or restrict your choices in control features.
Hardwired devices of any brand with a few exceptions can be wired directly to any brand control. So if you are upgrading an existing hardwired system you will most likely be able to use the old contacts, motion detectors, smoke detectors, glass break detectors, etc.
One advantage of wireless equipment is that you can place devices exactly where you want them in what would be a complicated hardwire situation. There are great high quality systems at your disposal if a wireless system is a necessity for your installation.
You can also add a wireless receiver to any hardwired control at any time, so that you can transmit one or several devices to it. We call this a hybrid system, since it is now both hardwired and wireless. Reducing the amount of wireless devices on your system will reduce your cost and increase your dependability. The same rule applies to a wireless system since you can hardwire in any device that you can get a wire to.
Be advised that even if you have a wireless system, there are still a few things that must be hardwired to it, such as the keypad, power transformer, sirens and phone line. This may restrict placement of the control panel to an area that is wire accessible to all of these devices. It is worth repeating. There is nothing more dependable than a pair of copper wires to send a signal from point A to point B. If any wire would happen to get cut, it would open the circuit causing an alarm if the system is on.
Compare Apples to Apples- As you can see there is, as with most things in life a great range of quality available to you when choosing an alarm system and its components. Taking the time needed to compare all features of each component of your proposed alarm system will always be to your advantage. Most any alarm consultant will jump to the high end of available equipment, if their potential customer is asking for the differences to be explained.
Matthew is a 22-year veteran of the alarm system industry. He now works as a consumer advocate, teaching consumers how to buy or get systems for free (without being taken).He is committed to being unbiased.
His web site is http://www.expertsknow.com
alarms@expertsknow.com
==============================================
Avoid Foreclosure And Keep Your House Free And Clear. This Is The Most Advanced Foreclosure Information Ever Created Just For Mortgage-Stressed Homeowners That You Will Not Find Anywhere Else. You Will Find In This EBook All The Available Options To Defend Against The Lender And Keep The Home.
==============================================
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