This is a sad video. Husband goes to work leaves wife with 2 children. Guy breaks down locked rear door beats the women to a concusion and robs her. He is on the run. He is caught on video and the Police are looking for him. YouTube Millburn, New Jersey, Home Invasion Captured On Nanny Cam; Suspect On The Run (VIDEO)
I think an alarm system is one of the necessities of urban living. The thief may still grab what he can and run before police arrive, but it's better than not having one. A big mean dog is also an excellent deterrent.
For years, our house was occupied 7/24 except for short trips for shopping or meals out. (Late wife had a brain injury and a caregiver or myself was also there.) When she passed a couple years ago, the house was empty a lot and I installed a Frontpoint security system. (Shortly afterwards, my daughter and her family moved in and the house has been "Occupied" ever since. LOL) The Frontpoint system was easy to install and I added smoke, heat, and water sensors. I know the monitoring center is responsive from when I forgot to disable the system when I excitedly opened the garage door bringing home a new car and when the dog pushed open an unlatched door to go after a squirrel. The only complaint I have is that the quality of their GE Security components isn't really great. The base station has always been a bit flaky (garbled messages and can't disable sensors per directions) and I currently have a haunted prox sensor on one door that randomly signals open/closed when the door is closed & locked. (One more try to change the battery and position the sensor, then it gets replaced.)
20 gauge pump action is probably the second best home invasion deterrent next to a large snarling dog.
