*** Quoting Ron Taylor to All ***
RT> Do these systems work?   What do the bad guys think of them?
RT> What type
RT> of alarm system is best?
No alarm system is going to "stop" anyone who really wants to get into your 
house from getting in, but it will likely deter many who would normally 
decide to do so.
If nothing else, it lets the maggot know that IF he does break in, he has 
only a couple of minutes or so before someone will be there to check, and the 
external alram or siren usually tends to draw the neighbours attention to 
your house pretty quick.
RT> Also, what about motion detecting lights.  I know they are very
RT> convenient, but are they good theft deterrents?
We've got them too.  I think they are the cheapest form of "prevention" you 
can buy.  We have 7 sets of them that cover every square inch of the 
perimiter of the property.  You can't get withing 100 feet of the place 
without being lit up like a Christmas tree.  Maggots who break into house, 
usually are cowards at best and don't like to be seen, so lots of light is 
just another way to deter these bugs.
RT> I constantly hear police dispatchs for "Signal 90" which is the
RT> local
RT> code for electronic alarm.  I've yet to hear one that was a
RT> result of
RT> actual break-in.  Most are from home owner error.  Judging from
RT> the tone
RT> of voice and response from the officers, it seems that they are
RT> less
RT> than enthusiastic about responding.
Yup...probably 99% of them are false.  If you're going to install an alarm to 
"catch" the maggot, then don't bother.  If you're intalling one to reduce the 
risk of a break in or reduce the loss you'll sustain in a break in, then by 
all means, it is an excellent idea.
---
---------------