Criminals today are running amuck (I really just love saying the word amuck), I am sure you know what I am referring to. Every time you open up a newspaper (some people still do), turn on your TV, or get the latest twitter alert (aka tweet) from your favorite news source you hear about some home or business being burglarized. Given that our site focuses on criminal justice, it is natural for us to dive into the realm of home and business security systems. We decided to look at these devices and services at a very high level to give you a great starting point for protecting your home or business.
- Every home or business should have a security master panel (a basic security system). These systems propose some challenges in a modern era (like the need for a analog telephone line when most people have gone VOIP). If you do not have a basic home security system we suggest that you look up an expert in your area. You might want to talk with your neighbors to see who they currently use and if they are happy with the equipment in their home or business.
- Once you have a basic security system in place, you need to select a local monitoring company. You do want someone who has a local presence to make sure that they know how to reach local law enforcement or if they have a security patrol (to make sure they can get to you quickly). How far away are they? What is their average response time? Do they offer multiple pre-set alarms for the police, ambulance, and fire departments? Remember that they really are your first line of defense so make sure they know what they are doing and get plenty of references.
- Security cameras. It’s an excellent idea for a business or even a home to have surveillance cameras on the premise and active. In the event that you cannot afford a security camera and/or the installation required you should consider getting a fake security camera that can act as a theft deterrent.
- Fire protection equipment (smoke detectors, escape ladders, and fire extinguishers). It is absolutely critical that you have well maintained equipment to suppress and avoid fires. They can also come in very handy when your home is under attack by either allowing for your escape or giving you another way to trigger emergency assistance.
- Lighting systems for the exterior (motion sensors for the exterior and interior). We highly recommend motion sensors outside your home or business. Criminals are much less likely to strike if there is enough light to make them visible. It’s also a good idea to keep large bushes and trees away from the entrances to your home to not give them something to hide behind.
- You should have a personal safe especially if you have guns in the house and keep valuables locked safely inside your safe. Again a personal safe is a huge deterrent as they are generally heavy and slow down the thief quite a bit. If you have guns in the house and have minors in the house it is your absolute responsibility to keep your guns locked up.
- Yard signs or decals on your windows (that indicate the premise is secure). These are important as they provide visual signals that you are not someone that a criminal wants to mess with. You may or may not have security systems, pets, etc. However, they are usually not willing to take a risk especially if someone close by does not have yard signs or decals indicating that they have these other security devices and services.
- Personal security and tracking devices for you, your family, your pets, and your treasured items. You may want to insert tracking devices and/or plant tracking devices on your pets, your loved one’s (in the form of watches, etc.), and other valuables. In the event that you are separated from them, the tracking device will prove invaluable in securing their return.
- Consider a dog or a machine that makes dog sounds. It may sound silly that this is on the list but several criminals are very afraid of pets as they have the ability to slow them down and the tendency to alert others that they are there (which is usually the last thing they want). In this case it really doesn’t matter too much what kind of dog or pet it is as long as it is somewhat protective of you and your belongings.
- A known and practiced security plan/fire escape plan. If you do nothing else on this list, make sure you come up with an emergency plan for your home or business. If you don’t have a plan or even if you fail to communicate the plan it could make a bad situation much, much worse. Be prepared.
This is far from a complete list but it serves as a quick checklist that you can use to assess where you are today from a home or business security perspective. It’s always a good idea to evaluate and test all devices and services on a quarterly basis just to make sure you really have all the protection you think you have.
