Forum: Alarm
November 11, 2009
Window Alarm?
Has anyone used one of those wireless alarms you stick on a window, and that goes off if the window is opened? I'm moving into an apartment, with a large, ugly, light-blocking grate over the window that leads to the fire escape. I'm going to remove it, but I'd like to have some sort of security feature still there.
Oddly, most Google searches have lead to "pool house door alarms," which isn't appropriate, since the pool house in my 740 sq. ft Brooklyn apartment is completely secure.
November 10, 2009
Brinks - Beware!
I would like to warn anyone who is thinking of sighing a contract with Brinks security– don’t. I would like to share my experience with you so you don’t have to go through he same scenario. Read my story and judge for yourself: I had an alarm system installed in my Brownstone while I was gut renovating it (I was not living there at the time, the building was empty). The reason: burglars came in twice already and took tools and materials. I wanted to avoid more losses. The system worked fine for a couple of months, then, I began to have trouble. The system was sending alarm signals to the headquarter and the police kept coming over saying that the alarm is sending a distress signal, even though the alarm was not physically ringing in my house.
I was constantly on the phone with the Brinks’ technical department, and followed all their instructions to reset the alarm, download system updates etc. Still, the problem kept occurring and finally Brinks instructed me on the phone how to disconnect the main component so that it stops sending the signal, and they scheduled an appointment for a technician to come over the next day. The next day came and went and when I called to find out what happened with the technician I was told they ‘make a mistake’ with the scheduling, and they don’t have anyone to send for another 2 days.
That night I had a break in. The alarm was of course not working at that point (because Brinks instructed me to disconnect it remember?) and the burglars made off with tools worth of around $4000. Further more, the burglars smashed the keypad of the alarm, perhaps thinking that it might go off. The morning after, the workers discovered the break in and called the police. I then called Brinks, and they finally sent their technicians, who reported their findings back to Brinks. I will not go into the details of the many conversations I had with their ‘customer service’ department, and the rudeness, ignorance and sheer stupidity with which I was encountered when talking to these people. When I finally reached the supervisor, he began a give me the third degree. He went as far as to accuse me of disconnecting the alarm on my own without consulting with Brinks (a lie), and tried to hint that somehow the renovations in the building are what caused the alarm the malfunction in the first place (ridiculous).
Long story short this is was the bottom line:
A. Brinks do not take any responsibility whatsoever to the loss from the break in.
B. If I want their technicians to come and repair the system, I will have to pay close to $500 (he gave me a ‘discount’ from $700), to cover the damage made by the burglars. (The fine print in the contract says that any damage done to the alarm system parts ‘by a third party’ would have to be paid for by owner)
C. If I want to discontinue my service I have to pay in advance the balance of the monthly fees for the remaining 2 and a half years left on my contract.
I decided not to pay for the alarm to be fixed. I have moved into the building a few months ago, and since then there were no more break in attempts (touch wood). I now pay $30 dollars a month to Brinks for a none existing service.
If you are still even thinking about getting a contract with these people conceder this:
They will lock you in for three years contract and charge you for installation. They will not maintain the system properly. They will try to avoid sending a technician and tell you to call them and try to fix the problem yourself with them on the phone. If something goes wrong then they will say you must have done something wrong. If you get broken into and the alarm gets damaged you will have to pay for the damage yourself and we are talking hundreds of dollars. Burglars regularly smash key ads when they see them. Brinks know this and that’s why they put the clause in the contract disguised as ‘Third party damage’.
Save your money, invest in good locks, window bars and outside lights and have the place occupied.
October 20, 2009
Wireless Alert Systems
Does anyone have a wireless alert system they like? In my mind, a central voice box would announce whenever a specific door or window has been opened. For example, if I am on a different level of the house, I would like to know that the basement door has been opened for example…
I’m curious what other multi-level dwellers are using other than the central-point security systems like ADT, slomin etc…
July 2, 2009
ADT Security "Changeover" fee???
I purchased a house that had an ADT security system installed by the previous owner.
I called the installer and was told that there was a changeover fee of $600+ dollars.
When I asked what this exactly entailed, I was told that the would replace the panel (which apparently was brand new) and have the system checked.
If the prior owner had a service contract (which they did) and were up to date on the bills (again, they were) why would it need a check-up?
I got a hard sell on the phone and started feeling like this was a scam.
Anyone else run into this?
June 3, 2009
Central Station Monitoring
My alarm company is about to raise its rates and I am shopping for an alternative who services Ditmas Park. I have an alarm system already --can I choose any company? Suggestions of reliable companies?
April 29, 2009
Security camera
Hi,
My building was broken into again last night and we are now looking into installing a security camera of some sort. The building is a condo so it is the responsibility of the residents. Has anyone installed a camera? How are cameras installed? Can this be done by a super or should it be professionally installed? Any other advise regarding this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Leah
inside window bars?
I am looking potentially at a ground floor condo in bk but the window in the master bedroom faces the street and can be touched from anybody on the sidewalk. The broker has indicated that outside window bars or gating would probably not fly as that would alter the condo offering plan.
Can I install window bars Inside the window frame?
Aside from that and a security system and other ideas to increase safety?
January 28, 2009
Burglar / Fire Alarm?
I'm moving to a new place in Cobble Hill in about a month and I really am confused about what burglar / fire alarm system to install. My contractors know nothing and I've heard awful stories about ADT. I'm installing motion lights in the front and on the garden, but want total protection. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
December 17, 2008
Alarm question
Hey all:
When I bought this house, that is nearing completion of a gut reno, we installed a standard ADT alarm. I could swear that I was told verbally that if someone 'ripped the alarm panel off the wall' that ADT would know and act accordingly.
So I wondered why they never called me when the contractor disconnected the alarm box to take down the wall that it was attached to.
Meanwhile I had a specific outlet and phone line installed to handle the alarm box.
Anyway I called ADT to tell them I was ready to re-install everything, and they sent a rep to 'assess' the situation. Unfortunately I couldn't be at the meeting and my wife stood in.
The rep advised that indeed someone could 'rip the box off the wall' and he suggested it be installed in a closet. That would mean re-wiring.
Is this alarm technology really this bad that someone can just rip things apart? Does anyone else have something better?
I've put bars on all the lower windows which makes me the most secure house on the block. Still...