From: jjd@TEAK.CRAY.COM (Jeff Drummond)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: What about alarm systems (was Burglars and dogs)
Date: 30 Jul 92 19:18:27 GMT


In article <1992Jul29.234037.23965@CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU> andy@SAIL.Stanford.EDU (Andy Freeman) writes:
>>     Well, I missed the start of the Burglars and dogs and snakes 
>>discussion so someone may have brought this up -- but why not get
>>burglar alarms?
>
>And, what does that buy you?  You know that he's there; now what?

Well, if you're home, you now have an important (possibly life-saving)
piece of information that you might not otherwise have gotten (until
it was too late).  The burglar may have broken in to steal your
property, but don't assume that you and your family aren't at risk.

>There's nothing wrong with burglar alarms, but they're not a complete
>solution to any real problem.  They're merely a notification.  You
>still have to deal with its cause.
>
>-andy
>--
>UUCP:    {arpa gateways, sun, decwrl, uunet, rutgers}!cs.stanford.edu!andy
>ARPA:    andy@cs.stanford.edu

There is no complete solution to the real problem of burglary.

The primary value of both burglar alarms (security systems) and dogs,
IMHO, is that they tend to deter burglaries _before_ they happen.
Burglars don't want to be caught or attacked, so they tend to avoid
places with alarms and/or dogs (there are plenty of houses with neither).
Security systems and dogs deter burglaries when they advertise their
presense.  Security systems do this with stickers that you put on your
doors and windows and with horns mounted on the exterior.  Dogs do this
by being visible or audible, kennels, etc.

To my way of thinking, if the burglar gets inside your house then your
security system(s) (canine and/or electronic) have already failed to
do their job.  At that point, you're into damage control.  You can't
assume a dog or alarm will force a burglar to leave immediately.  They
may kill the dog and/or disable the alarm; and if even they do leave
quickly they can pick up a camera or some other trinket on the way out,
and you're still left with a damaged lock/door/window/alarm/dog to
deal with.

Neither alarms nor dogs can stop a determined (or foolish) burglar.  A
dog might attack a burglar, alert the homeowner(s) (if they're home)
and possibly the neighbors, or maybe just lick the burglars' hand.  :-(
An security system won't attack a burglar, very loud horns notwithstanding
(the burglar may have ear protection); but it will alert the homeowner(s)
(if home) and possibly the neighbors.  Some systems will even phone a
security company (or the police).

Dogs have benefits beyond their deterrent (and possible attack) value.
They provide companionship, you can take them with you when you go out
for a walk (personal security), and you can usually buy a dog for less
money than a security system (although they have higher ongoing
maintenance costs).  Not all dogs are good watchdogs, however.

Security systems have higher installation costs but lower maintenance
costs (than dogs).  They are more reliable (when used) and protect your
property when you (and your dogs) are away.

If you are concerned about burglars in your area and can afford it, get
both a security system and a dog (or two).

-Jeff Drummond    jjd@cray.com
--
"It is an awesome thing; replete in its sufficiency."
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house,misc.legal