Comments on: Physical Security for Your Home http://www.kensavage.com/archives/physical-security-for-your-home/ Ken Savage Writes About Technology, Music, TV, Movies in Boston Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Paul Levi http://www.kensavage.com/archives/physical-security-for-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-69628 Paul Levi Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:39:20 +0000 http://www.kensavage.com/index.php/archives/physical-security-for-your-home/#comment-69628 This is a well thought out discussion. I don't know that many folks (even employees of the big alarm companies) think much about how they live, and what technology needs to be employed, much less where. The only criticism I have, is not specifically to Ken or Robert. We have been numbed by advertising that tells us that a monitored alarm is the first thing you should think about to deter crime. If one's lucky, there will be a passing notion about bolstering doors and windows. This, despite the fact that there are tons of very effective devices that are inexpensive, easy to install, and permanent. Keeping the bad guy on the other side of the doors and windows should be the first step. Monitored alarms? A distant second. Afterall, a burglar will usually enter your home through a door (source of over 70% of breakins, source: 2006 FBI crime report). On wood frame doors, a solid kick will cause the jamb to fail, and the burglar is inside in a matter of seconds. Statistically, a Breaking and Entering is over in about 3-5 minutes. The worst of crimes, rape and murder, are typically over in less than 15 minutes. Now, how long does it take for the police to respond? In regions where police still respond, AND haven't had too many false alarms, AND have the mobile teams available to react quickly, you're still talking over 20 minutes and usually close to an hour before a policeman is on the scene. One has a slightly better chance with fire and EMS response, but that's only until they become over saturated. So, the time to find out that someone's entered your home shouldn't be when the intruder is standing over your bed. It should be when you hear them breaking their feet on your hardened front door. There are several products out there. We're assembling a few in response to local Home Owner Association concerns, but we are by no means the end all/be all of home security. Back to the text, this is the first time I've heard anyone comment on clearing the site lines between neighbor homes. EXCELLENT COMMENT! Getting the brush away from doors and windows, installing motion activated lighting or simply high efficiency continuous lighting, and ensuring that we give our neighbors the chance to see our doors and windows are extremely important measures. And they usually don't cost anything. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design digs in to this perspective in depth. Great comments Ken This is a well thought out discussion. I don’t know that many folks (even employees of the big alarm companies) think much about how they live, and what technology needs to be employed, much less where.

The only criticism I have, is not specifically to Ken or Robert. We have been numbed by advertising that tells us that a monitored alarm is the first thing you should think about to deter crime. If one’s lucky, there will be a passing notion about bolstering doors and windows. This, despite the fact that there are tons of very effective devices that are inexpensive, easy to install, and permanent.

Keeping the bad guy on the other side of the doors and windows should be the first step. Monitored alarms? A distant second. Afterall, a burglar will usually enter your home through a door (source of over 70% of breakins, source: 2006 FBI crime report). On wood frame doors, a solid kick will cause the jamb to fail, and the burglar is inside in a matter of seconds.

Statistically, a Breaking and Entering is over in about 3-5 minutes. The worst of crimes, rape and murder, are typically over in less than 15 minutes. Now, how long does it take for the police to respond? In regions where police still respond, AND haven’t had too many false alarms, AND have the mobile teams available to react quickly, you’re still talking over 20 minutes and usually close to an hour before a policeman is on the scene. One has a slightly better chance with fire and EMS response, but that’s only until they become over saturated.

So, the time to find out that someone’s entered your home shouldn’t be when the intruder is standing over your bed. It should be when you hear them breaking their feet on your hardened front door. There are several products out there. We’re assembling a few in response to local Home Owner Association concerns, but we are by no means the end all/be all of home security.

Back to the text, this is the first time I’ve heard anyone comment on clearing the site lines between neighbor homes. EXCELLENT COMMENT! Getting the brush away from doors and windows, installing motion activated lighting or simply high efficiency continuous lighting, and ensuring that we give our neighbors the chance to see our doors and windows are extremely important measures. And they usually don’t cost anything. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design digs in to this perspective in depth.

Great comments Ken

]]> By: Must Have Security http://www.kensavage.com/archives/physical-security-for-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-7264 Must Have Security Mon, 27 Feb 2006 18:12:52 +0000 http://www.kensavage.com/index.php/archives/physical-security-for-your-home/#comment-7264 Can't agree with you more. Home security is now affordable on any budget and even the simplest of devices can either deter or prevent a break in. Can’t agree with you more. Home security is now affordable on any budget and even the simplest of devices can either deter or prevent a break in.

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