Monitored Alarm Response
 

Hi to all

Just had this years monitored response for the alarm 550 euros, question, is it worth it, would it pay to have a better alarm system connected through the internet so if we were broken into then we would be contacted by text or phone.
After all they only contact the police if required.

Any thoughts thanks

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

I like the ARLO Q setup whereby there are one or more cameras that you purchase outright, set up yourself or get someone to do it for you. When it is triggered through movement of sound The recording is uploaded to the cloud and you can down load it to your phone/pc within 7 days to have your permanent copy. You can access the cameras remotely and view the property yourself any time you want.

Most interestingly you can also interact with the intruder verbally, allowing you to abuse them or plead with them to desist or advise them where the higher value items may be found!

No upload/download fees.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

I have no financial connection to the company nor the security industry.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Hi Jonboy,
Thanks , when triggered will it send a message to your phone? also cost in Spain and supplier near Moraira area, thanks again

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Yep, sends alert and you can view the video online there and then. UK cost per camera about £150.

Leroy-merlin have ARLO's instock but not the Q model. Perhaps Amazon? or one of the other large electrical retailers. Look at the link I sent earlier.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

You will need Wifi router in your home.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Hola

It all depends on your attitude; mine is to put the defences on show thereby deterring all but the most professional thief.
I have eight cameras with infra-red and two dogs. Most thieves are opportunists so if they think they will not get away with it in the long term, they will seek an easier target.
Just my twopenny worth

Davexf

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

It will depend on the alarm company. We have a monitored alarm from Securitas. All the sensors have cameras included. The procedure is that should a sensor trip, the photos are immediately available at the control centre. If they see an obvious intruder they call the police immediately. If in doubt, they call you to check. This always happens when there is a false alarm. They respond within a few seconds, exchange passwords etc and if it was a false alarm they cancel it. There is a special password to indicate that you are being forced to give it.

The time it takes for the police to respond will depend on location. They also will install a panic button which bypasses all the checks and calls out the police immediately. There is a similar medical panic option which will despatch an ambulance with no further checks.

Almost all monitored alarms communicate via GSM so cutting phone lines makes no difference. Where the robbers attempt to jam the signal, the system recognises this and uses a totally different network which is actually a part of the national security system.

I agree with Dfx - nothing beats a couple of Rottweilers, but all we can manage is a couple of cats!

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

The first thing I do when robbing houses is take the fuse out of the electricity box, lol.

I then throw some poison meat to the dogs, lol.

I have cameras setup inside but I really have accepted that they won't produce any results in the event of a burglary.

The last thing I want to know when hiking in the Pyrenees (and therefore about 3 days from home) is that my house has been broken into, etc.

Wouldn't use a security company. Next to useless. Neighbours had Securitas installed. A few days later the owners father arrived and left after a few minutes. 30 minutes later, national police arrived and had a look around. So it's clear the system doesn't work as described.

Best deterrent - close and lock everything before leaving the house. I even close the shutters if leaving for 10 minutes. If I go to back garden, windows are closed and doors are locked. Easy peasy. I can relax.

In our village, it seems that every house is being "done" on a fairly systematic basis. Crime pays in Spain as the judicial system is total rubbish. Everyone they catch has 20, 30, 40 or more previous convictions.

Must get a gun.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Hola

Joking aside, I use two UPS in series to provide clean power to "my electrical corner" so even in a power cut my alarm system works as does a small light indoors which should make the burglars think twice


Davexf

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

My system is entirely battery driven. The only mains connection is the control unit and that has battery backup. You even get an email to warn you the power is off.

The whole system can be controlled via the Internet and photos requested at any time.

The biggest exposure with Internet connected systems is the fact the the router is mains powered. Like Davefx I use a UPS on the PCs and router as our phone system is via the Internet. I also use one on of all the TV stuff. Apart from being a power supply, they usually incorporate very good over voltage, surge and spike protection.

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Perhaps you should move :sarcasm:

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

I guess it depends to some extent on the type and location of the property. It is just possible that being away from town requires more security rather than less. Personal safety must loom larger as immediate help is less readily available. I much prefer to be murdered in a large city than all alone in the back of beyond!:(

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

You’re right there!

Tortured by Burglars | Costa Tropical Gazette News

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

The price quoted by OP for a monitored Alarm seams about average, is it worth it?, I think so which is why I pay it and have one in UK and Spain

I also have IP cameras in the house, these send videos/photo's etc when triggered or checked by smart phone, any internet driven device of course relies on good internet and it I was a intruder the first thing I would do is cut power and phone lines.

An alarm sends a signal to the control centre when power is cut, they will then contact you if it's been off for a certain time requesting someone checks the power supply etc, it can use GSM or landline, at the end of the day it's whatever give you the feeling your got things covered

Re: Monitored Alarm Response
 

Hola,

As it is the holiday season, I am looking after some friends dogs including a "puppy" who needs to be fed twice a day. There are three dogs, a bodagera, A labrador, and an Alsatian. The 6 month old puppy is 6 inches higher than the Alsatian being a Mastin cross.

So I put the fob up to the alarm as usual; nothing happed so I backed away and tried it again. Still nothing so I put the fob front then back to the alarm - absolutely no response so I unlocked the door and entered thinking that I hadn't set the alarm last night.

I had emptied the dehumidifier and was about to feed the cats at the kitchen window when the alarm sound for ten seconds, and then a big booming voice told me to approach the alarm controller.

It then told me the premises were covered by Securitas and asked for the password. There being a choice of two, guess who said the password meaning "Please ring the Police"?

Anyway the alarm accepted the password and I rang my friends and explained. That was when I found out it was the wrong password! So I fed the cats, then the rabbit and finally the dogs.

I had walked ten minutes away from the property when my friends sent me a WhatsApp message saying that they had been contacted by Securitas and told them all was well.

Yes I live ten minutes out outside of the town in a hamlet but in my experience, thieves are in and out in less than two minutes and only take small items easily concealed.

Davexf