Security and Alarm Systems Blog

1) Your home or business will never be Burglarized
As the economy spirals downward, crime is on the rise. The crime rate has been dropping for about a decade, but that will soon end. All over the country, cities are slimming their budgets. Wasteful spending will surely go first (hopefully), but vital Municipal services like Police and Fire will be stretched very thin, unfortunately. And as unemployment rises, some will turn towards burglary to make ends meet. I’m not trying to make a doomsday speech, just trying to make a point about the importance of Electronic Security in the coming months.
2) Your home or business will never be Vandalized
Whether we’re talking about graffiti or a broken window, it’s difficult to understand the reasoning behind vandalism. Why would someone go out of their way to cause destruction to someone else’s property? Even when punishment for vandalism is severe, people still do it. Security Systems help prevent vandalism, because this crazy behavior is less likely to occur with an increased likelihood of capture. The only thing better than catching a thief is catching a vandal, because then you can ask them “What is wrong with you?”
3) Any Security System over $99 is too expensive
If you are renting a bedroom in a condo, and you don’t want your things getting rummaged, then $99 can buy you some good protection. However, if you occupy more than 100 square feet, then you will have to spend more, period. A $99 alarm system is only a “foot in the door” technique, because once the salesman is in your home or business, they will suggest that you secure the entire building for $4,000 or more. So long-story-short, all companies charge more than $99 for a Burglar Alarm, and the ones that advertise as a great bargain are famous for having the worst service in the industry.
4) The Nationwide Security Companies have great Service
The large Security Companies have hundreds of thousands of accounts, their installations are quick and inexpensive. This is because they use inexpensive wireless equipment. The trouble is that often times the install is too rushed and mistakes are often made. Also, the equipment has a very high failure rate. This sometimes leads to a malfunction which allows intruders to break-in undetected, but usually it just leads to many head-aches for their customers.
But, if the system has problems, surely they will swiftly address any issues, right? Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. Many Nationwide Security Companies take weeks or months to service a system. This is why it is very important to research the companies service reputation before signing a long-term contract.
Progressive Technology Security Systems has offered the best service in the industry for over 20 years. We will usually have an expert technician at your doorstep either same-day or next-day. Call us at (800) 577-2527 to learn how we offer the best service in the Security Alarm industry.

Burglary is a serious threat for any business, but vandalism can be just as costly. Graffiti & Broken Windows can cost just as much as a petty “Smash & Grab” burglar. But, there are preventative options available, mainly in the form of Camera Security Systems; also known as a Surveillance System, CCTV or DVR System.
The logic behind a Camera System is that when a burglar or vandal sees that their actions will be recorded, then they are less likely to target your office. If they do decide to burglarize or vandalize your business regardless, then you at least have a recording of them to hand over to a detective. This greatly increases the chance of catching the thief and recovering your property.
If you are interested in Camera Security, or have any questions, Please call us at (800) 577-2527 or you can also visit our website.

In the turmoil of today’s economy, it’s important to get the most out of every dollar, especially as it relates to security. Crime increases in poor economic times. This blog entry is meant to offer some ways to gain the most out of your partnership with your security company.
Technology
New Security Technology comes out every day, and sometimes you can spend $300 to install something that will save you $400 over the next year. Also, sometimes the technology you needed was not out when your system was installed, but now it is. If your system has an inconvenience that bothers you, call your Alarm Company and ask them if an affordable solution is available. If they say no, call their competitor.
Integration
I’ve mentioned it before, but you can now add fire alarm, door access and intercom components into an existing security system panel. This can improve your Security while coming under-budget on the project.
Referral Deals
Any company is happy to accept referral clients, and it is only fair that you get something in return when you refer a customer. You can get a free month of monitoring or maybe a credit for and upgrade.
Keep your Security Company to their Agreement
You paid for the system, and you pay every month for your monitoring and/or service, so make sure you are getting everything you pay for. If your system has a problem and needs service, call your Alarm Company and ask if your system is still under warranty or if the problem is due to faulty equipment.

What is a False Alarm?
A “False Alarm” is when an Alarm System goes off in error, and the Police are dispatched. As you can imagine, this causes a big problem for Law Enforcement because the officer’s time can be better spent than driving and inspecting a California home or office that has not been burglarized
County and City Police Departments have been charging false alarm fines for years now, which motivate home owners and businesses to keep their Security Company accountable. Usually, the first False Alarm is free, but the costs grow as more False Alarms occur.
How do you prevent False Alarms?
The two predominant causes of a False Alarm are faulty equipment and outdated (or limited) call lists. Faulty Equipment will send an Alarm signal, just like an actual burglary will, and this will send the Police to your home or office expecting the worst.
Having an outdated call list is very preventable. A good rule of thumb is that if a person has a key to your building or a code to disarm the system, then they should be included in your call list. This is because they have the potential to make a mistake to cause the system to alarm, so they should have a way to quickly fix the mistake before the Police arrive.
Some of the uncommon culprits for False Alarms include spiders inside of motion detectors and hanging holiday decorations that are moved around by an automatic air conditioner or heater. When the weather is poor False Alarms seem to double because water has a very bad effect on electronics.
It is a good idea to keep up on your call list regularly, and to test your system at least every six months to discover if any equipment needs replacement.

What, I have to maintain my Alarm System?
You have to defrost your freezer when the ice builds, you have to get an oil change every 3000 miles, and you have to polish your fancy shoes when they get worn. So, how is it less important to maintain your Security System? Many people have an Alarm System, but do not know that they can maintain it themselves.
How to maintain your Alarm System:
Testing your system IS maintaining your system, and this involves setting your system and trying to break into your home or office. You should test your system about every six months.
First, call your security company and tell them you are going to test your system. This way, you won’t have the police show up thinking you are a burglar. Tell them to “put the system in test” and tell them it will take an hour. You will need to know your account password.
Second, you will be setting off your alarm, so let your neighbors know. If you don’t, they might call the Police because of the commotion.
Third, set your alarm and start opening any doors or windows that lead to the outside. Every time you will have to go back to the keypad and disarm the system.
Fourth and last, call your Security company and tell them “Take the system out of test.”