What's the best defense against burglars in your home: Alarm system or dog?

Alarm

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by Douglas Cole

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Dog vs. alarm. There certainly is a lot of consideration to be given when you think about how you want to protect your home against unwanted visitors. Mans best friend is without a doubt the oldest, most respected, and tried and true burglar alarm ever. Not to mention like another family member for most of us.

About a year ago we moved from a small city to the country. My wife insisted that we have an alarm system installed, because I often work nights. We also had a great dog that only barked when someone was around the house, but she felt we needed a little more, and is always right. Needless to say we had the system installed before we moved.

The system we had installed is set up to detect glass breaking, and to activate when the doors or windows are opened, and every once in a while when the UPS driver tries to set a package on the service porch. There are also smoke and fire detectors on each floor. When the alarm is activated, the call center is alerted to which sensor has been tripped, and calls either the police, or fire department. Price wise the systems that are available are pretty reasonable, and it makes me feel a little better when all of us are away from home.I mean you really don't know know who's lurking around when your gone. At the very least if the house catches fire it might be a remodel instead of a rebuild.

I have been a police officer for a few years, and have yet to come across a home that had an alarm system installed that has been burglarized. I've been to alarm calls where the alarm was activated, and didn't see where anyone tried to get in the house. You just have to think that the loud siren going off in the home would probably send most thieves running. Sure, homes with alarms get broken into, it happens, but for the most part they do a great job. I'm just speculating, but I think when a burglar walks up to the door, and sees a sticker that an alarm system is installed it probably doesn't take long for him to move on, and see if he can find a house that is less risky to break into.

There are a lot of things a homeowner can do to make their property a less appealing target to thieves. I'm not talking about how you decorate either. The most important thing is, lock everything. A good deadbolt lock is a great anti theft device, and for most people if they are just a little handy with tools they can install one. I only takes a few seconds to get a door without a dead bolt open, maybe even less. Lock up outbuildings, a simple latch with a padlock works great. Always, always lock your cars. A car that is unlocked often equals cell phone, CDs, and even your spare change in the ashtray gone. Most thieves seem to be lazy, or just willing to work hard at not getting a job, I'm not sure which. They all seem to have a built in fear of going to jail. A thief opening the door to a shed, getting a power tool and walking to their car doesn't attract that much attention. The same person with a crowbar prying the lock off gets 911 called every time.

Burglars don't seem to have anything in common with moths. They hate lights. No one wants to have their home lit up like a prison, but a few strategically placed lights could make a big difference. Motion lights on the exterior of the home are relatively cheap, and easily installed because most homes already have outside fixtures. Inside at night leave a light, or two on that illuminates a large room, or entrance area. The average burglar does not want to be seen walking around someones home. It can be costly in time spent in jail, or even fatal for some . Also consider trimming the shrubs around your home down below window level.

You can place dowels in your windows to keep them from being opened. Plant thorny shrubs around your house, nobody likes pain, and I'm not to sure I'd like to trim thorny shrubs, but there are thousands of things you can do to make your home a harder target for thieves. You can even by a book on how to prevent your home from being burglarized, but it comes down to how hard is a burglar going to work to get in your home. When its all said and done what is going to keep your most valuable possessions from being stolen, and your home violated.

I'll put my money, valuables, and my family on the alarm. After John T. Crook has picked the deadbolt, knocked out a window, or defeated any other device I have in place, and is standing in my bedroom. More than likely if I had an alarm its siren is blaring, the police are on the way, and the burglar will be running.

Good old Fido, Rover, Spot, or even the biggest, meanest pit bull can be rendered ineffective as a home protection dog. About the kindest way someone who wants to get around your dog to get to grandmas jewelry is a nice dog treat to distract, or to make friends. It only gets worse from here. You can pepper spray, shock, beat, or even shoot the family dog to get to valuables that you worked so hard for, and the burglar will get pennies on the dollar for.

I guess the bottom line is when all the steps we take to prevent our home from being burglarized, the least likely to be defeated is a alarm system. They have enough fail safes built in if it is tampered with it will call 911 anyway. A good alarm gives me a level of confidence that when I get home everything I worked so hard for will still be there. If only my dog could dial 911, that would be the trick. Maybe I should teach Max, I'll bet if I could, I would make a good living teaching dogs how to dial 911 during a emergency.

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