Security and Alarm Systems Blog

For the first time since 2001, a there is a steady increase in the crime index relating to property crimes in San Diego (view graph). There have been over 82,300 total property crimes in San Diego County in 2008, with the highest months being April, September and December. This increase in crime can be attributed to the economic recession. Now, more than ever, is the time to invest in a security system in your San Diego home or office. Even just having a few motion detectors and contacts on doors and windows can help protect your family or business from break-in in san diego county.

There are several types of electronic security available. For example, if your business involves keeping an inventory of anything valuable, then you would gain from a surveillance camera system, or a cctv security system. A cctv security system will allow you to view and record happenings around your office, warehouse or outside surroundings. Often times, just the presence of a cctv security system prevents burglary because the burglar knows they are being watched and they know that it is more likely that they will be captured.

Another great option for a business with valuable inventory or valuable trade secrets is door access control. San Diego is a hot spot for technology and pharmaceutical companies, and protection is very important in these sectors. A door access control system or intercom only allows access to restricted areas to pre-approved people. This system can use a numeric keypad, magnetic swipe card, RFID keyfob, or biometric devices to allow or deny access to vital areas of your business. These systems are very big in the federal government, where national secrets and expensive technology must be guarded. A door access control system in San Diego actually saves money because it drastically reduces the need for security guards.

Every Security System we install from San Diego to Riverside to Irvine is outfitted with a DMP Security Control Panel. Digital Monitoring Products, or DMP is a recognized leader in network and cellular alarm communications. We choose to partner with DMP for many reasons.

They are always improving their security technology,

Their equipment is easy to use and install, but still state-of-the-art functionally

Their equipment has the best and longest performance in the idustry

DMP offers software to communicate with their panels from offsite

These are just a few of the main reasons we choose to install DMP control panels and keypads. There are so many options we can offer our customers because we partner with DMP. A new and exciting feature is the ability to communicate an alarm over a home or business network (using the internet) rather than the old way through a land line. Also, the new ePad allows our customers to arm and disarm their system using a web interface from anywhere in the world. By far, however, the most important feature of a DMP Security control panel is that we can install security, fire alarm, and door access control equipment to it. The programming features allow for this integration, ahich is great for our customers because it saves them money, and allows us to be more competitive with companies offering sub-par alarm equipment.

So many people have a monitored security system, and don’t know exactly what the monitoring entails. Well, here it is in summary. Security systems signal an alarm when tripped. This signal sends data which makes it’s way to a central station via one of three methods. The traditional method is through a land line, and many people still have land lines ONLY for their security system. The second method is through a cellular device, using cellular towers. This technology is not completely developed yet, so we only recommend using cellular as a back-up means of signaling in case phone lines are cut. And, the third method of security data transmission is over the internet.

Once the alarm signal is sent to the central station, they take predetermined actions based on a protocol made by the customer. For example, the protocol might be to call the business owner first, the VP second, and then call the police if they are both inaccessible. A common protocol for a home security system is to call the homeowners cellular and home, and to only take action when directed. This prevents false alarms, but can be dangerous if the homeowner is not always around their cellular.

The entire transaction is recorded by the central station, so in case there are any issues with the following of the protocol.

Any burglar alarm installation is not complete without the bare necessities. What are these necessities, though? The first, of course, is a control panel and at least one keypad. These are the brain of the system, taking in the programming from the technician, and acting intelligently based on information given by equipment. The Equipment is the second security system necessity. Security equipment such as door and window contacts, infrared motion detectors and glass break detectors alert the control panel that something fishy is happening. The third, and final, very necessary part of any alarm is a well-trained user. Without a person to arm and disarm the system, it is useless. I hear some of our customers here in San Diego tell me that they don’t use their system. This breaks my heart, because (1) they pay for it and (2) they are susceptible to a burglary which could be avoided (or at least minimized) by their security system. So, What Equipment Should Come Standard With Any Home Security System? A Control Panel, keypad, security equipment, and person that uses the system.

A man was shot about 100 yards from our office. There’s a park across the street where kids play and gang members sometimes hang out. Everyone was working as usual when we heard 3 gunshots. I saw the man laying on the ground, but didn’t think anything of it because there’s usually people laying down on the grass. Then I was one of our neighbors running to him, and I knew this was bad.

A bullet was found in the doorway 3 doors down! Looking at the trajectory, it must have shot straight over Shaunde’s car, gotten slowed down in a tree, and finally hit a storm drain and ricocheted around a sheltered doorway.

The Police were here quick, and they stuck around for hours. One of the investigators noticed our CCTV system, and asked to see the footage, but unfortunately we were in the middle of switching out a DVR, and the Cameras were turned off. It happened too far to see anything clearly anyways, but it would have helped some. We definitely feel bad, its not every day your surveillance system cameras are pointed at an attempted murder.

I read that the man lived, and is going to be OK, and The police arrested a gang member shortly after the shooting.

We have noticed a spike in the need for businesses to protect the data centers or server rooms in their offices, especially in Irvine and San Diego, California. There are several forms of security we offer in this area. The most common needs involve a door access control system, so that only authorized personnel may enter the room. There is also a helpful option in surveillance, where the server room is secure by recording the area with security cameras. Often times, it is possible to add door access equipment long with an existing security system, which will save you a good amount of money. Another great addition to server room security is a temperature sensor. Everyone knows that computers generate heat, yet they are also sensitive to high temperatures, so it is important to keep your server room temperature controlled. If the server room’s temperature reaches a certain temperature, a signal will be sent through your security system, and you will be notified immediately. This will keep your data safe, and prevent a gigantic headache, or even worse a complete loss of your companies information.

If you are interested in a free consultation, call us at (800) 577-2527.

There is a secret that not many people know, and it is a way to get much more out of your security system. The secret is that almost any sensor or electrical measurement component can be wired into a security system. This allows for an almost limitless array of add-ons, but specifically for you there are probably only a few.

An almost universal add-on is a panic button. We have added many panic buttons into existing security systems here in the San Diego area. Most offices have a lobby with a desk, so it makes sense to put a panic button under that desk to notify the police as soon as a situation begins.

Other add-ons we have installed are very specific to an industry or need. In one case, we installed temperature monitoring sensors in massive refrigeration units to detect when a refrigerator has failed, and needs to be fixed. This install was for a major food distributor, and it saves them thousands in lost inventory when a refrigerator fails because the food can be moved quickly and saved from exposure to heat. What is great about this is that we were able to save then money by tying their specialty sensors into their security system. This arrangement allowed them to avoid having to purchase an entirely new system.

Another case where a security system add-on helped a customer was for a maritime museum in San Diego. There are two boats the have fire systems. They are floating in the harbor, and have visitors daily, so a fire system is a requirement. However, they also need to know if the ships are taking in water. We installed water sensors at the bottom to give an early notification if there maybe a leak. Again, this is tied into a Fire Alarm system, so our customers didn’t have to buy an entirely new system.

Call us today if you would like to talk about adding some specialty equipment to your existing system, or if you need a security system in San Diego or across California.

Many City and County police departments now fine households when the police are dispatched due to a false alarm. The cause of the false alarm can be from faulty equipment, operator error, pets set off security system, or a number of other causes. All will lead to a fine. This makes it so much more important to do business with a reputable security installation company. Ask to see their state license, and ask for a clients list.

After the system is installed, false alarms can be prevented by putting time and thought into your call list. If the central station only has your cell phone, and the line is busy, then the next step is to send the police. But, if your list includes your home phone number, spouse’s cell phone, your cell phone, and several neighbors or friends, then there’s a much better chance that a false alarm will be caught by someone before the police are sent. The video below is definitely worth watching if you wish to learn more about false alarms.

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