Monitored Alarm Systems - A Fallacy

Monitored Alarm Systems are not Security Protection Devices.

I regularly discuss the above statement with many customers. Usually I am asked if I sell and Install electronic alarm security systems, to which I reply that the statement is an oxymoron.

An alarm system is not and can not be a security system because it does not perform or provide any protection. It can only inform that a condition exists.

Pictured above is a typical advertisement implying that alarm systems that are monitored provide protection for homes.

THIS IS SIMPLY UNTRUE

One of the largest companies in the world, regularly sells their products by trying to convince consumers of the competitive advantage of their monitored alarm systems.

The average cost of a monitored alarm system, often ranges from $30 - $60 per month. This is the raw cost to have a manned 24 hour monitoring centre "watching" your property.

What many companies, similar to the one above fail to inform the client, is the hidden costs associated with monitored alarm systems.

Police or emergency service attendance is often an extra cost borne by the homeowner, that monitoring companies often fail to disclose.

If your property suffers a false alarm and police attend to find no signs of forced or illegal entry, YOU WILL BE BILLED for their time and attendance.

If the monitoring company detects a fire alarm at your property, usually the fire department will be informed immediately and fire trucks will be dispatched. If the alarm condition is false, YOU WILL BE BILLED anyway, for fire department attendance.

If regular false alarms occur, this could become a significantly costly exercise.

Many burglars know the tricks to fool alarm systems. One example is, a burglar gains entry to your automatic roller garage door, closing it behind them. Your alarm system sounds, triggering the monitoring company. Police attend within the average time of 10 minutes. Police find no sign of forced entry and are not allowed to attempt to or enter your premises without a warrant.

Meanwhile, the burglar/s are waiting inside the garage for the police to leave, after determining the alarm was false.

The burglar now has as much time as they need to perform their theft, free from getting caught, while the home owner suffers the loss of their property and the added financial burden of emergency services invoices. The home insurance refuses to pay on a claim, because the police report at the time declares a false alarm.

The only beneficary of this whole episode, is the burglar, who made it off with your property.