Archive for the ‘Protect Your Assets’ Category

You hear people talking about them all the time. The infamous ‘dummy cameras’ that are supposed to make your business or home suddenly invulnerable to crime. The problem with this logic is that it isn’t entirely correct. Cameras do not deter crime, the fear of getting caught does. Unfortunately for home and business owners that are relying on dummy cameras for security is that there is nothing with which to identify these invaders if they are caught because the camera that was supposed to be providing security was a fake.

The thing to remember is that cameras in and of themselves are not really crime deterrents. They are not preventative measures at all. Cameras only work to identify those who have already committed the crime rather than frighten off those who may commit the crimes. The only cameras that are effective at catching someone in the act are those that are monitored on the premises with adequate security to not only monitor the cameras but also apprehend the perpetrators. Dummy cameras do not provide any of these services, which renders them fairly useless all around.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many would be criminals could honestly care less if there are cameras and even less so whether or not the cameras are real or fake. Criminals are well aware that by removing identifying clothing and never looking directly at the cameras there is little that can be captured that will identify them (even if they are real). They also are fairly certain that even if the cameras are monitored there is often quite a bit of time between the crime being captured and the authorities being notified and then arriving. In fact, that is what the average criminal is banking on-the fact that the police are often slow to arrive. Cameras, real or fake, have little to do with crime prevention and more to do with identifying the perpetrators, fake cameras simply cannot assist with that.

If you are considering a dummy camera or a few dummy cameras for the security of your home and business you would do well to consider the cost of the cameras and installation (if necessary) compared to the cost of having a viable security system that is monitored. You are likely to find that price difference in the initial equipment (especially when you consider that many security monitoring services offer the equipment free of charge) is negligible when compared to the security it provides for your home or business and the peace of mind it provides you as the home or business owner.

That being said, there are some fairly convincing fake cameras on the market and they may actually deter those who would commit crimes of convenience rather than those who carefully plan the crimes they are preparing to commit. The problem is that you will never really know as there is no way to really judge the success of these units unless your business was consistently loosing money until these cameras began appearing. More likely than not, the only crimes these fake cameras will prevent are small ‘petty thefts’ like kids stealing bubble gum and such. Save your money and invest it into a monitored security system for your home or business to pay for the monthly monitoring rather than dummy cameras that have very little real effect.

There are many ways in which a home or business can revamp or overhaul its security protocols. One of these methods is by availing itself of the services of a private security service. Private security was once something that was reserved for larger companies or the fabulously wealthy. Both of which many of us are not. Today, however, private security has an entirely different meaning than it has had in days past.

A private security firm for most homes and businesses is simply a service that monitors and responds to reports of problems rather than live guards who actually monitor and secure the property onsite. Most private security firms have employees in a centralized location that monitor video cameras, alarm systems, and combinations of the two from a centralized location and respond to emergencies and potential problems according to the protocols included in the service agreement drawn up and the specifications and desires of the home and/or business owner in any given situation.

These private security firms often monitor several homes and alarm systems simultaneously so the level of care and monitoring is not as dedicated as it would be with onsite security staff but the costs involved, since you’re essentially sharing the service with other homes and businesses is greatly reduced over what you would pay for private onsite security. There are many differences in these two types of security that should be pointed out.

Onsite private security services actually secure the property. They insure that everything is nice and tightly locked up and secure from trespass and invasion. They will monitor who enters and leaves the property and in some states may even carry arms while performing their duties in order to insure an added layer of protection. When you hire an onsite security service you have the ultimate say so in who is employed by you and are fully aware of any criminal past (as you would likely perform a complete background check) they may have. You will pay more for this type of service but depending on the needs of your family or business, which is often a price well worth paying, particularly if you feel your company or family is at risk for some unknown reason.

The typical private security firms that service multiple home and business security accounts hires workers that are willing to work for lower wages and as a result often have questionable pasts. Unfortunately you will not get the ultimate say over who responds to your calls or monitors your home. Most of these companies have limited staff that is stretched fairly thin in addition to fairly high turnover rates. You must be willing to accept the personnel they send or risk paying the higher price of having police respond to potential false alarms. For some people this is a risk not worth taking while others are perfectly willing to accept the potential risk for the probably security.

Carefully consider the differences above when making your final decision as to whether or not a private security firm is the best decision for the security needs of your home or business. Regardless of the choice you make, having someone watch over your home or business when you aren’t around to do it, is a priceless luxury that has recently become more affordable even for the average household or small business when it comes to security.

There are many things that families and businesses do in order to secure their property across the country and around the world. One measure that is often taken in the name of security is the addition of security bars to doors and windows. Despite the inherent benefits of securing property, these bars often run the risks of endangering the people inside for whom the real home or business security is often sought.

One thing remains true, many invaders will keep moving rather than attempt entry into a home that has security bars on doors and windows. Home invasion is almost the only security that these bars provides however and for many, the risks involved in having these bars on windows is not at all worth the small measure of protection that is provided. In other words, the good of these bars is greatly out measured by the negatives of these bars when it comes to insuring the safety of family members or employees inside these buildings.

Many people do not purchase new security bars but rather rely on the same bars that have covered the windows of the home or business for many years. Some of these are rusted and nearly impossible to remove when there is plenty of time and effort available in which to remove them. In emergency situations, every second matters and these bars can be the very things that trap people inside a burning or flooding building holding them hostage to the perils inside the home or business rather than protecting them from the dangers on the outside.

Security bars are no longer the cheap alternative to traditional alarm systems and monitoring services that they were touted to be in the past. They are in fact, more often than not a greater risk than they are a benefit to business and homeowners. Many larger companies offer free installation of alarm systems and alarms as well as monthly monitoring services at more than reasonable rates. More importantly not only are these monitoring services available for invasions or intrusions but also for fire and smoke as well as panic button services.

While security bars may have had a time and place, they have been replaced by something that is much more effective at preventing and deterring criminals as well as something that provides a greater degree of protection for the most precious assets of any home or business-the people inside. The costs involved in monthly monitoring for some seems great but most will find that the value this service provides if and when it is ever needed is well worth every penny.

Options to burglar bars that are not terribly costly include planting thorny bushes below windows and keeping them trimmed back just enough that they do not block a view of the windows. Most intruders do not want a complicated process and they certainly do not want to be injured during the process by prickly plants. Lighting is another option that is essentially less expensive in many cases than it would be to install burglar bars. Intruders do not want to be seen. If the area surrounding your home and business is well lit it will serve as a deterrent. Explore options such as this before resorting to security bars.

To answer the question of whether or not security bars are worth the risks for home or business protection the answer would be a resounding “No!” While we are all well aware that prevention is the best cure when it comes to crime, there are times when certain preventative measures provide far greater risks than potential security and those are risks that shouldn’t be worth taking to the average home or business owner. There are other preventative measures that can be taken in order to deter intruders that pose far less risk to family members and employees. These options should be incorporated rather than those that pose additional risks to those you should be taking every possible precaution in order to protect.