I just wanted to let you know that I wrote an article on the topic from Feb 23rd. This article covers how to use security systems to prevent employee theft. I think I make a good case for protecting your company from fired or laid-off employees with security systems. Please read the Employee Theft Article if you are interested.
You can save up to 20% of your homeowners insurance by submitting a form from your Security Provider, stating that you have a monitored Security System at your home. Insurance companies take into account that homes with Burglar Alarms are 3 to 4 times less likely to be burglarized. This means that there is a lower chance that you will have to file a loss claim with them, and your risk (in their eyes) is lower.
If you would like more information on how to protect your home, please call us at (800) 577-2527. We will send a Security expert to your house for a free Security Evaluation and quote.
Stupid mistakes cost lots of money
Everyone knows that. So, doesn’t it make sense to ask questions about who will be installing your $10,000 Security Camera System. We provide an Employment Resume to any customer who asks (and even some that don’t).
An Employment Resume includes similar projects that an employee has completed, so you can rest assured that stupid mistakes will not be made, and your system will be installed and designed by a competent Security Professional.
I recently came across a page on the San Diego Police website which outlined some very thoughtful ideas on theft prevention. These ideas relate to how the police operate in keeping citizens and their property well protected. Here are the tips, and below is a summary of each.
Controlling Access
Providing Visibility
Maintaining Your Property
Protecting Your Home and Property When You Are Away
Making Sure the Police Can Find Your Home
Identifying Your Property
Controlling Access
Use good Locking Hardware, and install it properly
Change the locks in a new home
Secure your yard with solid gates, and keep them locked
Keep trees trimmed, so they don’t allow easy access to the upstairs
Put “neighborhood watch” and Security stickers on your windows
Install a quality Security System
Monitor your Alarm System, so Police are notified
Make sure your Alarm company is licensed in California
Your Security System should have a battery back-up
Providing Visibility
Leave outside lights on after dark
Keep trees trimmed for good visibility across your property
Install a wide-angle peephole in your front door
Maintaining Your Property
Replace broken windows or screens
Repair broken fences or gate locks
Keep property in good condition, neglect will advertise “loose” security
Protecting Your Home and Property When You Are Away
Notify your Security Company, and update your call list
Use timers on lights when you leave town
Leave your itinerary with a friend or neighbor, so you can be contacted
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries
Making Sure the Police Can Find Your Home
Your street address number should be visible
If you live in a gated community, give Police the entry code
Identifying Your Property
Etch your drivers license number on anything that could be stolen
Photograph valuables that cannot be etched
Keep a detailed up-to-date record of your valuables
For more information: San Diego Police Website
In a recent article in the North County Times (Link), an FBI report showed a decrease in nationwide crime comparing the first half of 2007 to the first half of 2008. San Diego counties two largest cities, Escondido and Oceanside, reported even bigger decreases than the national average.
“Burglary is one of the crimes that’s driven by economics,” Escondido Lt. Craig Carter said, and burglary has risen 11% over 2008 in Escondido.
As the economy stands still, we expect burglary to grow throughout 2009. This makes it especially important to start thinking about your security. Across San Diego County, we install BURGLAR ALARMS, CCTV SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS, FIRE ALARMS, DOOR ACCESS AND INTERCOM SYSTEMS. We operate out of Escondido, and offer the best service you can find. For a free on-site evaluation or quote, please call (800) 577-2527 or fill out our online form.
Obsolete Security Control Panel
If your Security System is over 5 years old, it may be obsolete. Several panel manufactures have gone out of business throughout the years, leaving no options for replacement parts.
The Good News
For around $1000 (depending on the system size), you can replace your control panel and keypads with an updated control panel, and have a state-of-the-art security system overnight. Don’t let the price tag scare you, because you will gain so much from a new control panel. improvements in technology will lower false alarms, increase security, improve your convenience, and change the way you use the system. The benefit of upgrading your panel is that we can hook-up all of your old equipment to a new panel. This, obviously, saves money on new equipment, but also saves time on the installation so you won’t have to pay very much in labor costs.
The Bad News
You will have to replace the Control Panel on your Security System eventually. Most of the time we upgrade a control panel, our customers are blown away at how powerful the new features are. It’s like they have an entirely new system.
We are currently taking resumes for Employment. If you are interested, please go to the following website to get an idea of our requirements.
Please send your resume to shale@protec-alarm.com
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.
