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Guys when I'm speaking of alarm systems I'm not pulling that out of thin air. I'm talking from first hand experience. LEOs DO NOT get a big hurry get to your home when they get an call from the alarm company. If you happen to catch them when they are not having a busy day and they happen to be in the neighborhood then you were lucky. But I promise you that a police officer running code 3 across town to answer an intrusion alarm is almost unheard of.

As for the K9s thing. I'm not nor have I ever recommended them as a first or only line of defense. But they are another tool in the kit. Like any other security measure they can be defeated. But given the choices they are a much better option then an ADT sign. If you want to know why they aren't guarding a bank vault it is simple, Liability. The banks do not want to deal with law suits because the cost money, and that is not good for the bottom line. On the other hand a security system and guard are a lower liability and risk option for them.

On the subject of security cameras. They are not a proactive measure and I never said they were. However they do aid in recovery efforts. And my post was point out how easy it was to provide your home with security measure equal to or better then off site storage. And to that end I have more then made my point.

Scott in Houston wrote:

Longshot38 wrote: I know from first hand experience that security systems provide more false alarms alarms for actual incidents. And emergency personnel know this thus we don't really rush to these incidents. This being said you also have to understand that most burglaries are the smash and grab type, criminals generally don't like having to work for their money. If you see a burglary that involves the perpetrators saying the residence for any length of time then most likely they are pros that know how to by-pass a security system and are either looking for something specific and/or will get what they want regardless of the security system.

Didn't you just negate your whole original argument with this right here?

As for the false alarms, that may be true, but to the criminals in your home, they have no idea how long it will be before response arrives, but they are having to endure the whaling siren and the anxiety of knowing that there will be a response. It creates a 'ticking clock' for their activity. Not having a system at all removes that as an issue entirely.

Actually, no, I didn't negate anything. I stated from the get go that a security system was/is pointless. My original statement was that ones home should be at least as secure as off site storage. Alright so off site storage sometimes has coded gates, which when broken get fixed on someone elses time table and you have no control over access codes, it might have security cameras, but again they might or might not be working and get serviced/fixed on someone elses schedule, and your storage unit has a lock on (most likely a pad lock of some kind), which can be defeated by bolt cutter/hack saws/acid, then their is your safe in the unit which most places are not going to let you bolt to the floor. Now for your home when set-up as I described. You have high quality locks (so biometric deadbolts or something along those lines) and you have complete control over can use these locks. You have security cameras that have direct control over, can aim any direction you wish, can guarantee functionality, and guarantee that the video footage is there when you need it. You have a safe that is bolted to your floor. And if you secured you data then it is also reasonably secure. And if you get a couple big dogs then there is is you whaling but it has teeth in addition to a vocal cords. And if you want a loud whaling sound of a security system you can get that without paying a security company a monthly fee. So negate my original statement, absolutely not. I only backed up what I said/typed.

As for security itself. NOTHING is completely secure and ANY security system can be beaten given enough time and effort. But unless you are securing the crown jewels or some priceless possession no one is going to put forth that much effort to beat it.

Scott in Houston wrote:

Longshot38 wrote:
Alright so what is about the storage unit that is more secure then your home? Personally I believe my home should be AT LEAST as secure as a storage facility. Truth is that securing your home vs the cost of renting a off site storage facility for a year should come out to be the same. And at the end of the day you have control over the security measure at your home, thus you control the security codes, keys, and other security measures. Where the off site storage does not offer that level of customization and attention to detail.

My home is very secure. I'll get to that in a minute, but here's why a storage facility feels even safer... one word: numbers.
There are hundreds or even thousands of units all inside a very secure building. The odds of my unit being robbed vs. any other is almost zero. Even if someone breaks into the facility itself, I'm still feeling secure and safe. If my house is broken into, it's my stuff that's being threatened, and I would wager that homes are much more likely to be invaded for theft than storage unit facilities (especially the indoor, climate controlled part).

Longshot38 wrote:
In other words if one is really worried concerned about security around their home a simple check list goes something like this:\
1) Forget ADT and other security sytems. All they are good for is getting the police to your home after someone has stolen you processions.
2) Purchase a set of high quality locks for your doors.
3) Install a set of security cameras. Basic network compatible security camera are relatively cheap and work.
4) Lock all valuables in quality safe and bolt that thing to the floor
5) Password protect and encrypt you data network and computers
6) Get a big dog or two and keep a firearm at the ready

Do this and you will have spent the same amount of money and you will have a home that is just as secure as off site storage.

I have to thoroughly disagree with point #1. Having a security system is a MUST! If you're not home, at the very worst, it makes the break-in a 'smash and grab' type which lasts only a few minutes, because they know someone is on the way.
That's why you also should have a safe, and in conjunction with a security system, you're in good shape.
Also, they can be great backup for home invasions when you are home. I do not understand why people wouldn't get a burglar alarm of some type.

A couple of points here. First the numbers thing. Your right that when you look at things as you described the statistics look better. You could take you logic and then apply it to say a entire neighborhood and come up with the same statistics. Thus the numbers offer a false sense of security. The other being the security systems. I know from first hand experience that security systems provide more false alarms alarms for actual incidents. And emergency personnel know this thus we don't really rush to these incidents. This being said you also have to understand that most burglaries are the smash and grab type, criminals generally don't like having to work for their money. If you see a burglary that involves the perpetrators saying the residence for any length of time then most likely they are pros that know how to by-pass a security system and are either looking for something specific and/or will get what they want regardless of the security system.

Scott in Houston wrote:

olafpfj wrote:

Scott in Houston wrote:This thread is very interesting. Can you elaborate why a storage facility is a 'no-go'?

It will be BY FAR, the most economical, and most safe, way to stare them (assuming you get a climate controlled, name-brand facility). It blows the doors off, in terms of safety, the other options listed hear, including having a range store them.

I can't answer for the OP but the rules of every storage facility I checked out last time expressely mentioned firearms as prohibited items and ammo fell into the hazardous materials category. When I moved to Texas the moving company had to play the whole "theres no guns in that there safe...rrrrrright "..."of course not Mr. Truck driver, that would be against the rules... "

Again...not like that has ever even remotely stopped anyone. Its not illegal just against company policy so the worst they could do would be to evict you.

Right... most of those policies are pure legal CYA for the place. In reality, they don't care. I've stored guns in many storage units (all climate controlled). I feel much safer having them there, than even in my own house.

You're right. It's no illegal. It can at worst, get you evicted, or in case of a fire/theft scenario, their insurance wouldn't cover.

Alright so what is about the storage unit that is more secure then your home? Personally I believe my home should be AT LEAST as secure as a storage facility. Truth is that securing your home vs the cost of renting a off site storage facility for a year should come out to be the same. And at the end of the day you have control over the security measure at your home, thus you control the security codes, keys, and other security measures. Where the off site storage does not offer that level of customization and attention to detail.

In other words if one is really worried concerned about security around their home a simple check list goes something like this:\
1) Forget ADT and other security sytems. All they are good for is getting the police to your home after someone has stolen you processions.
2) Purchase a set of high quality locks for your doors.
3) Install a set of security cameras. Basic network compatible security camera are relatively cheap and work.
4) Lock all valuables in quality safe and bolt that thing to the floor
5) Password protect and encrypt you data network and computers
6) Get a big dog or two and keep a firearm at the ready

Do this and you will have spent the same amount of money and you will have a home that is just as secure as off site storage.

Here is question. Why can't you store your safe in an apartment?