Home security:
Don' t leave your home without it
by Roger Faris
Breaking into houses must be easy. It is usually accomplished by people with severely limited intelligence. The most common method is to use force against a door until something gives way. The burglar then rummages around looking for things which might be sold for cash. This activity involves large risks and the rewards are usually small. Even the most stupid perpetrators eventually see the light and switch to another form of crime.
A simple approach to discouraging intruders is to make your property look like the wrong choice. The least subtle example of this I ever saw was a crudely hand lettered sign. It was nailed to the door of a boat moored on a lonely part of the Duwamish River. Four words kept the vessel from being stripped of valuables: Shotgun on trip wire.
Something less extreme is more likely to be believed in our residential neighborhoods. Some of the most effective tricks are wonderfully inexpensive. A dog tether in the yard, and large dog dish on the porch can suggest that Fang may be on duty in the house. One of my neighbors keeps a pair of large, muddy running shoes on the front porch, implying that someone big and athletic is at home.
Almost everyone tries to give the appearance that people are at home at all times. Lights can be controlled by timers or motion sensors. Keeping the porch free of newspapers and mail is another good idea. The sound from a loud radio may leave some doubt about who might be home, even after there is no response to the doorbell.
More uncertainty and trepidation can be created by leaving a collection of broken motorcycles in the front yard. This could be part of an overall plan to make the house seem unlikely to contain anything of value. Neighbors may not appreciate this strategy.
While appearances and illusion might work, another way to keep burglars out is to make it more difficult for them to force their way in. Deadbolts and reinforced door frames can cause a thief grief requiring more time and more noise to gain entry. Security hardware is also available for sliding doors and windows of all kinds. Be sure to select locks which are simple to use. It is vital to maintain the ability to escape quickly and easily during a fire.
Alarm systems are a final line of defense for many homeowners. The range of choices in cost and sophistication is enormous. People select different equipment based on many factors and calculations. A fake alarm system suffices for some of my neighbors. They may have warning stickers on doors and windows, and a siren mounted on the front of the house. This is just an updated version of the big dog dish on the porch.
Real home security systems include sensors, a control panel, and signaling components. The sensors detect the opening of a door or window, vibrations from breaking glass, the motion of an intruder walking into a room, or other signs that something is amiss. Smoke and fire detectors are sometimes included. The control panel is the brain of the security system. It is usually activated by a key or numeric keypad. When the system is armed, the control panel monitors the detection circuits and is ready to activate signaling devices when appropriate. The signaling might be a silent telephone call to a monitoring service or other preprogrammed numbers, high decibel noise from horns or sirens, flashing strobe lights, or a combination of warnings. The idea is either to drive the burglar away, catch him in the act, or bring emergency help.
Micro-processor technology and improvements in the design of sensors has resulted in alarm systems which are inexpensive and reliable. Even sophisticated systems are now affordable. They allow the homeowner to customize and alter the functions of the control panel. Rather than just turning a system on and off, it is now commonplace to be able to select which detectors and signaling devices are armed at various times. When no one is at home, all of the perimeter and interior sensors, and all of the signaling equipment may be on the alert. When people are at home, the opening of an unlocked back door can be programmed to sound a gentle chime. At night, the residents may choose to bypass an interior motion sensor, but leave the door, window, and fire detection circuits armed.
Modern alarm systems may be controlled by programmable pass codes. A visitor, worker, or dog-sitter may be given an entry code number which is different from the owners. Some panels even keep track of the time and date of use of various code numbers. These special codes can also be easily canceled if there is any worry about unauthorized use at a later date. Another clever feature is the programmable duress code. This is typically the addition of a particular extra number after the usual four-digit code. It causes the silent telephone dialer to signal the monitoring service that you are being held by knife point or some such unpleasantness. The police response is much quicker if they are given that kind of information.
It is clear that these electronic gadgets have come a long way in just a few years. False alarms used to be caused mostly by faulty systems. Now they are more likely the result of operator error. The result, though, is the same. Many neighbors no longer react to the sound of alarms. Police departments are tired of responding, and assign them a low priority. Most cities also impose fines for false alarms. What is the average concerned homeowner to do? It shouldn't be too difficult to create an effective strategy for foiling burglars. Remember, your adversary has brain power slightly more impressive than linoleum.
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