Brink's home security commercials funny stuff

[ar10]

With the advent of VOIP, cable modems, and likely a few other systems I'm not aware of, "cutting the phone line" has become more complicated. The phone line could very well be the cable TV line, for example.

I had a client site that was burglarized twice. First time the cut the phone line to ADT, then smashed the main entrance door with a clay flower pot by the door and they got away with two cash drawers. I installed the cable system with 4 IR cameras,connecting them to ADT, using a UPS to power the alarm. and to the owners home, 6 mths later they got hit again by cutting the cable and phone lines on the roof.

The biggest issue with business owners is when their alarm activates and police respond then they get charged 500.00 per call if it's a false alarm. BG's know this and also have a lot of experience, usually from being educated in prisons. Smash & Grabs get caught.

Keep in mind dogs are not exactly that hard to kill.

You're right they aren't. However. I worked for the City at one of the remote sites, and we had a very complex alarm system. We were hit a number of times by burglars after the aluminum light poles. They would cut a hole in the fence then with portable saws cut up the poles than haul them away in a truck.
The business next door to us was an auto recycler and scrap metal buyer, He had a lot of exotic metals and never once was broken into,and had been there for over 40 years. His only alarm system were 4 "junk yard" dogs, and mean as hell They were fine during normal working hours and didn't bother a soul. After working hours you had better not try to break in. He said he only one attempted break in years ago and two people were mauled so much they ended up going to hospital. Word got around.

I recommended to the department head to do the same thing and they would save thousands in security contracts. They said no because of possible liability law suits. Well, they still get broken into.

 

[Nate1778]

I can say this, every time our shop gets broken into, and the alarm sounds, they scatter like roaches when the lights come on. Every time we watch them on surveillance, the sound definitely has an effect. Thieves don't like any more risk then they are already taken. It may be corny in the commercials, but the perp is already nervous as it is.

Best investment we have made here at the shop was a plate reading camera. You would be amazed how many criminals use there personal vehicle for these break ins.

 

[Average Joe]

I like the part where the guy from Brinks calls, and ask " is everything ok?"
What would happen if they could not answer the phone? Would Brinks just keep letting it ring , while the homeowner is being assaulted?
Why would I need a security company to call me, I could just call 911 on my phone, or cell phone.

 

[Avenger29]

What would happen if they could not answer the phone? Would Brinks just keep letting it ring , while the homeowner is being assaulted?
Why would I need a security company to call me, I could just call 911 on my phone, or cell phone.

The call is to give you a chance to stop the process if you set off the alarm accidentally. If you don't give the correct code, or take too long in responding with the code, the central monitoring station hangs up and calls the cops.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Why would I need a security company to call me, I could just call 911 on my phone, or cell phone.

Sure, you can call 911 as well, but what if you are unable to do so for what ever reason (held at gun point, injured, etc.)? Though the response is somewhat delayed, I think its nice to have someone else as least helping to watch your back.

Like guns and guard dogs, alarm systems are not magic talismans that keep the bad guys away- you have to know how to use them!

Score Sheet-

Counting on an alarm system only to keep your family safe (no weapon, no plan) = VERY STUPID

Counting on your dog to wake your sleeping butt and get your gun to keep your family safe = BETTER THAN NOTHING

Combination of all three + plus other good tactics = SMARTER

 

[Mt Shooter]

um, what alarm goes off when the door is opened? There must be a delay or it would go off everytime you come home??

 

[.455_Hunter]

If the system is armed in "away" mode, one door will be set with a 30 - 60 sec delay to allow the owner to enter the proper code. If any other door or motion detector is tripped first, or the delay time expires, the system goes into full alarm.

In my house, after we go to bed, the whole system is armed on "instant". Any detection will cause a full alarm immediately. There are two bathrooms upstairs, plus a locking child gate to keep the toddler and dog upstairs as well, so nobody should be messing around downstairs. The locking child gate is used as our own internal reminder that the alarm is set. If you are the type of person who wonders the house at night, it might not be the best system for your needs...

 

[Mt Shooter]

Ours, any door is 45 sec. delay, motion is instant. Say entry is via a window. But that was my point the commercial where the daughter is coming in late and the bad guy sets the alarm off on opening the door! Poor daughter didn't stand a chance.

 

[Stormshotty]

I found it strange she made it to a phone. If I were a burglar, that would be a thing I would try my best to stop.

 

[tkopp]

.455 Hunter:

Ha! Yeah, we have UPS/cell backups too. We do have land line primaries though. When the power goes out the only thing working is the security system, but we still get to go hang out because the internal cameras are on the main power grid.

When I was the primary point of contact for our store I got calls a couple times a month. Bear in mind SPD gives you three false alarms per six months (as I recall) before they start costing you money. We are on a main thoroughfare that had semis go by at night which rattled the windows, so I got to know the alarm guys real well.

Typical false alarms included 'breaking glass' (the acoustic sensor was tripped by something falling over) and motion on the showroom (headlights panned the sales floor at an odd angle). Never had a perimeter breach, but I shagged my butt out of bed and went to walk the store each and every time.

 

[Kind of Blued]

He patrols for cars stopped or parked and pulls over anyone in the neighborhood that obviously doesn't fit the description of a rich family.

This is a sworn LEO?

 

[Blackbeard]

Get a fenced in yard and a DOG!

Anyone ever see the show "To Catch a Thief"? It's mainly a vehicle for advertisers of security products, but it's very entertaining. Basically the producers pick a house, and arrange with the owners to "rob" it while they're away (or sometimes while they're home). They set up cameras and then leave, and some time later the burglar shows up to do his dirty work. Anyway, this show demonstrates how most dogs are completely useless for security. They're easily distracted by food from the fridge (which the burglar is more than happy to allow), or maneuvered into a side room and locked in. In one episode he actually stole the dog! Later they watch the burglary with the homeowners on tape, and they're all stunned at the lack of response from their dog.

The biggest recommendations that come from the show are to get good locks, and use them. Monitored systems are nice but locking everything is the best deterrent. It's really quite an eye-opening show.

 

[Nate1778]

Yeah I like the show as well, you'll notice he cases the joint before they approach the homeowner, The alarm indication sign is a pretty good decision maker in his mind, if he sees it he stays away. I have noticed that on several occasions. To watch that show gives you an idea of how tense a robber is without an alarm going off. Guy does have a set of brass ones though.......

 

[ar10]

Anyway, this show demonstrates how most dogs are completely useless for security. They're easily distracted by food from the fridge (which the burglar is more than happy to allow), or maneuvered into a side room and locked in. In one episode he actually stole the dog! Later they watch the burglary with the homeowners on tape, and they're all stunned at the lack of response from their dog.

If people use their brain instead of their emotion, (aaaah isn't that puppy cute), the burglar wouldn't even get close the fridge or anything else for that matter.
Here's my experience:
I rescued a stray from my office. My work location was pretty close to the drug capital of the city. when dealers are busted the guard dogs, mostly Pits, Rottweilers, Shepards, and Dobbies run free. Once their free they mate and you have a "junkyard dog".
When I got her home, dewormed, neutered, and fed she knew she was happy and better off. She was also the passenger in my brand new 98 Ford 150. About 6mths after I had her I took her to the local auto parts supply, it was hot so I left the windows down. While inside a very large 200 + lbs decided my pickup was worth stealing. While paying at the counter we heard the dog going nuts and me and the cashier ran out. This bozo was holding his right arm bleeding like a stuck pig, the drivers door was wide open and the dog was cowering in the passenger seat barking and snarling. A LEO was driving by and saw the commotion and pulled in about the same time. He asked the guy what happened and the reply was "I was just looking at the truck when that damn dog bit me". The LEO ran a routine check on the victim then arrested him for warrants out of Pike Co OH for grand theft, assault and of course attempted theft of my truck. He was taken to the hospital first where they put 14 stitches in right hand and wrist. What he attempted to do was grab the dog by her collar and drag her out of the truck, she bit the crap out of him.
In court he was found guilty and sent to prison. While in prison he filed a civil suit against me for a vicious dog and assault.

 

[somedudebuddyguy]

Brinks

this used to be dependable co.we had brinks for years.in this past year i understand they are separating from parent co,changing name summer 09,image and there ways!.if you have brinks you will notice the very good,proffesional techs gone and a newer untrained sloppy staff that run wiring all over your house! also charges galore for everythin from serv calls to increased monitoring ! im sure you can fine a better co ,i am ! dont be fooled by cheap introductory offers,goodluck

 

[ccsniper]

my house has been broke into 3 times, the third time we had set up a home made alarm system that my dad's friend built for us. It simply called me and my dad on our cell phones and began beating on a old school bell that made the most awful noise. one day I get a call and so does my dad, we call the cops when we get there the cops are trying to figure out how on earth to shut the freaking alarm off. The burglars didnt steal anything so I have to say I think they work on kids or people looking to for quick cash.

 

[Justin]

This thread isn't directly gun-related. However, there's some good content in latter part of the thread, so I'm going to move this to Strategies and Tactics.

 

[drgrenthum]

I work for ADT as a sales person in SW Florida. As many people have noted systems have their limitations and no system is infalible. In fact most people dont want to spend the money on a system to make it even 1/2 as safe as i recommend. Normal you can have it for $50 system is only to contacts and a motion and that covers very little. I can design a system to cover about any damn thing you want and make it dame near infallible. Issue is what that costs. My favorite saying is "You got the bucks well roll the trucks"

One thing i dont see mentioned here and is the main reason i have my alarm monitored is the duress code. If I am sitting in the home with the alarm in stay mode (perimeter protection on, motions off) as i often do at night when i dont plan on leaving the house anymore, and someone kicks in the door with a shotgun. Well he has the drop on me, all my ARs or my XD are not going to do anything for me at that point. My alarm is going to make a bunch of noise and if the BG tells me to turn off the alarm i simply use the duress code instead of my regular code and it sends a signal ot the call center that someone is in the home with me and to send the cops. It silences the alarm in the home so the the BG thinks i complied. Now, when the cops show up they know what is going on and hopefully the situation can end in a good way (for me at least) While the BG may be pissed that the cops showed up at least the BG doesnt get to sit in the home for hours or days doing what he wants we me and my family.

Those commercials are to scare the sheep without making them lose sleep at night and hating the company that ran the ad. Other cool things are guns against BGs are no good if you are not home, and monitored smoke detectors, because you are more then like to have a home fire then a burgularly and while BGs will only take what they think is valuable a fire takes everything. By the time flames are seen outside the home 9times out of 10 it is too late to save anything.

 

[Fred Fuller]

And rather than try to fix it, I'm closing it. If someone wants to re-start a new thread on the topic sans the banter, chestbeating etc, please feel free.

Yeah, it's a tough audience here... but self defense is a serious topic.

lpl