Comments on: Those keypad home security alarms, isn't there a major flaw in the system, in the bad guy's favor?

By: Steve H

Steve H — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000

Unlike what the commercials show, they don’t call and ask if your are okay, like someone else said they ask for a password. Most of the monitoring station operators are trained to look for a situation like you described and have a set procedure to follow. They are not going to call you by name and they will ask for the password. It does not matter what they hear, if they don’t get the password they will dispatch police and if you give them a bogus password they will tell the police that there probably was a break in. If you do give them the correct password at that point, ain’t nobody gonna show up.

By: Smella.

Smella. — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000

Well she’d be in a bit of pickle now wouldn’t she?

By: Will

Will — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000

You make a valid point, except that when most alarm companies call to confirm the alarm, they ask for a user specified "code" word to verify your identity. It seems all one would have to do is give the wrong code word when telling them its a false alarm to alert the company that it is not a false alarm.

Still, isnt it kind of pointless to have an alarm to protect yourself when your at home? A focused criminal could easily commit the intended crime before the police would even be dispatched. Companies like to advetise and people like to think of house alarms as a personal protection device, but in reality, all they offer is peace of mind and perhaps save some of your stuff from a robber.

Folks need to keep in mind that "when seconds count, the police are only minutes away". In short, people need to man up and get themselves a gun for protection.

By: nitebearer

nitebearer — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000

Well many people would run away to another room or try to at least. This time factor may be the point of where the alarm company may dispatch a vehicle or call police. If the alarm goes off I know I would not be going to see who it is immediately but rather secure where I am and then take care of investigating. One of our alarm companies here has a remote voice system so they do not call but just open a comm link and ask if everything is ok and if no response within seconds they send out someone immediately. Thieves have taken to avoiding their installs as their response is fast.

By: Bob B

Bob B — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:27:15 +0000

Depends on the security arrangements, if there is a codeword, and if the robber is armed. Most burglars are not. Normally, they try and break in, steal the stuff, and get out without being seen.