San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

I'd go with Brinks. I've had ADT at two different homes, and their equipment is pure crap. I have a dog, and the motion detector was constantly going off. I even put my dog in the bedroom one day to test the detector, and the alarm still went off. Apparently the wind from an open window was enough to activate it.

I had Brinks at my previous home and loved it. I still had my same dog, but the motion detectors never went off. Just better equipment, I think.

Now I'm renting, and I foolishly went back to ADT because I'd heard that their equipment had improved. That's b.s.

2 motion detectors malfunctioned within a month, so we just got rid of the one upstairs. The one downstairs was repaired twice, and it still sends out false alarms. And this equipment cost $850!! We'll probably get rid of the detector downstairs too, and then we'll only have sensors on the doors and a couple of windows, which is really not the way I want to be protected.

And you want to know the worst part? I asked to be put on an installment plan for this very reason: I wanted to test the equipment. I was told that this was no problem. But every month ADT stalks me for full payment. Now get this: Friday the motion detector malfunctioned again, and I called ADT to set up an appointment for a tech to come repair it. But they just instituted a new policy: unless you're paid in full, you can't get any repair services on your alarm! And they've terminated the installment plan option. I asked why, and the customer service rep told me that about a month ago, "people just stopped paying." She said she'd never seen anything like it. I'm not surprised. I think people will cut their alarm service and just rely on the noise from the alarm to deter theft. Doesn't really matter if the police show up, so they don't need ADT to route the alarm to 911.

I still think it's a good idea to have an alarm. But try to get on the installment plan so if it doesn't work out, you can always cut your losses.

And I'd avoid ADT like the plague.

Partypup: Now, why was I thinking you'd have concertina wire, trip flares and Claymore mines on your perimeter? Huh. Must just be me.

I think the best security system going is a dog. I've used electronic monitoring and alarm systems in the past (ADT, ProtectionOne), but have been unimpressed overall. I'm a little pickier than the average consumer, though.

LOL! Allan, if I could get away with that in a West LA rental, you KNOW I would have all that installed! Yeah, the best protection is probably a dog. And a 12 gauge. We've got 2 Rotties now. They're ideal protection if you're asleep and need to know who's coming.

But the real problem arises when you're not at home. Around LA at least, there have been cases in which burglars have tossed meat laced with cyanide or another poison through mail slots to put the dogs out of commission. I love my dogs too much, so I'd rather put the ADT signs on the lawn and try to deter the bad guys that way. They might still try to harm my dogs, but I am hoping they might just move on to a house without ADT signs and barking dogs.

Partypup: I was raised with Rottweilers and Alsatians. We had two Rotties, Odin and Thor, that were Schutzhund III trained (Odin was also IPO 3 trained).

I don't know if you've looked into Schutzhund training for your Rotties, but it's excellent training for obedience and protection and one of the key elements is that your dogs won't accept orders or food from anyone that isn't part of the immediate family. Our Rotties and our Alsatian only understood German also and worked off of "key" words as well.

Definitely worth looking into, especially because a Schutzhund trained dog is extremely obedient and very, very disciplined. Both of our Rotties were the Northern German varieties (Braunreiters) and both were in excess of 150lbs and were quite intimidating. Our Alsatian, Max, was about 115 and looked like a puppy next to the Rotties.

Only problem we had with the Rotties was that they loved to frag cats.

Does anyone have experience with Knight Security?

Check out nextalarm.com. You own the system (12 months monitoring free with most system purchase from the site) and there are no contract after that. You can read the fatwallet thread about it: http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deal...

ADT seem to be pretty good.

I find something like the night vision security cameras sold here are pretty useful, especially if you plan on streaming the video to a cloud-based storage space like Amazon EC2.
http://www.security-depot-inc.com/

I have a dog that hears the mailman from 100 yards away and cameras that record to a DVR. Although my dog would probably lick any intruder, the "beware of dog" signs make him seem vicious. Oh yeah and he has a good bark. Reminds me of the doorbells that sound like dogs barking,good idea.

Nothing against dogs, but dogs can't stop bullets. And if the intruder has appropriate clothing, even if the dog attacks him, if he's got a knife, the dog is not going to make it.

It will alert you that someone is on the premises, but you could lose your beloved in the process. We bond w/our pets. Also, the bigger the dog, the more expensive. Nowadays, that is also something to consider.

True JPINPB, there really isn't much that can stop a bullet, the trick is to deter. Ironically the only way to insure safety is to shoot first and ask questions later, that's just not really a good idea though, unless the burglar threatens one's life, that will just get one a prison sentence. A barking dog will alert one to check the perimeter, then one can be prepared. With motion lights,cameras, and barking dogs, i think most burglars would think twice.

Jp: Depends on the dog and the situation. A properly trained dog is going to be on the burglar before he knows it.

My dad used to joke that if you could get past the dogs, he'd help you carry the TV and stereo out to your car.

I never recommend a weapon for home defense, because, statistically speaking, you have a better than average chance of that gun being turned on you. Have a decent alarm and a dog, and call 911 when they both go off.

I say for sure alarm and motion lights, but as far as calling 911, well, since there's still a shortage of cops, w/more leaving b/c they're doing away w/drop program, sadly, I wouldn't count on cops getting there any time soon. Only so many calls they can respond to. Maybe just have your dog wear a bullet-proof vest ;) hehe

Jp: I think if you have to choose between calling the cops and cranking up that toy of yours, well, you're actually better off calling the cops.

The truly wonderful part about living in California, is that it's one of the few places in the country where you can be sued for shooting a burglar in defense of your home and family. Also, those 5.56mm rounds you're putting out have a pesky habit of over penetrating and you run the risk of sending one through a neighbor's wall and killing little Jimmy while he's eating Otter Pops and watching "Sponge Bob".

Now, if you opted for that Remmie 12ga instead...

Oh, I know. It's true. You better make sure if you shoot someone in your house, they're not some drunk dude breaking into the house b/c he thought it was his house and he lost his keys or something. I've heard stories. But if I'm really at risk and they're seriously there to hurt me, I'll take my chances. I'd rather be around to potentially be sued than raped or dead. I know how backlogged cops are and if I can call 911, I will, but I think by the time they arrive, a round will probably be used.

Why don't folks just get a metal security door. I know they aren't pretty, but I have one (even in CV). And it perfect when you open the door to strangers, they can't possibly kick the thing down.

Second, I find a nice 1 inch think solid cylinder wood bar cut to length is an excellent window and door stop, that allows you to keep the doors/windows with a crack open to let in the cool fresh air, but makes it nearly impossible for someone to break in without shattering the glass.

Third, you can always put a shatter resistant film on windows so that someone that does smash a window takes more effort

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en...

Warning: if you go that route, make sure you leave one window without it, in case you have a fire and need to escape.

Jp: Psst. Buy the 12ga. Trust me, and I have some experience here, there is nothing better close in than a 12ga.

If you want to zink the guy 40+ yards out, then that 5.56mm will do just fine. Also, if you're firing buck shot, that 12ga will throw a nice dinner plate-sized spread of .25cal pellets, whereas if you're shooting 5.56mm, you'd better put those rounds right on target. Try doing that in low light or darkness, with your hands shaking, heart beating a million times per second and against a moving target. With a 12ga, you just need to be shooting in the same general area code.

Two to three good blasts with a 12ga and you'll knock serious bark off your target and really diminish any aggressive instincts he might have.

Allan - Thanks for the tip. I'll check into it. Good point about in low light/dark and shaking w/heart beating. But you know, you hear crazy stories about flight/fight and adrenaline and people getting extraordinary strength in dire circumstances/situations.

I hope I never have to be in that situation. The Carmel Valley incidences w/the garage door entries are frightful. Makes me want to carry something small in my purse besides mace.

Or if you come home and someone is already there. I mean, how horrible to come home and not have your dog greet you b/c someone already took it out and is lying in wait.

Just can't live in fear, I guess. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Jp: No worries and, so you know, I wasn't busting your chops, nor your choice of weapons. What you won't see on most movies or TV shows is that the most effective weapon when moving through a house or confined space is a pistol/revolver and not a long arm like a rifle or shotgun.

There is some good info out there in terms of properly preparing yourself for these environments, including handling a weapon in substandard conditions. The biggest mistake most shooters make is thinking that conditions will be similar to those found on the range, i.e. controlled in terms of light, sound and action. The reality is the opposite. I hear your point about reactions under stress, but, in truth, the actuality is that you'll have tremendous difficulty keeping on target and putting rounds into the kill zone (center mass).

Look up reports on the 1970 Newhall Massacre or the 1986 FBI Miami shootout to see what happens to even trained law enforcement officers under the stress of a gunfight. It's pretty fascinating stuff.

Oh, I've got a a Glock, too. But if I really need to get into battle, I'm ready w/the other ;)

I totally hear you on the stress conditions/reactions. You're right. It's not like at the range. And even there, I can barely do ok. Takes practice. Far away I suck. Can't even hit the paper. But closer, I'm relieved at my abilities.

Jp: As I mentioned, I carried a CAR-15 for a bit in the Army. I learned a nifty little trick that I want you to try next time you're at the range.

If you're right-handed (and this will work if you're left-handed as well), you grip the forearm of the weapon with your left hand. Chances are, you cup the forearm, meaning you use your entire hand to grip it. Try this instead: Grip the forearm with your thumb slightly over the top of the forearm and your bottom three fingers cupping the bottom of the forearm. This will leave your forefinger/index finger free. Position your index finger along the barrel where it meets the forearm (just below the front sight) and in such a way that your forefinger/index finger is pointing straight, just like the barrel.

Now, instead of aimed fire from the shoulder, shoot with the butt tucked against your hip and under your elbow and you'll find that, wherever you point with your left index finger, the bullets go. Extremely effective and also extremely simple. Removes having to aim, it's literally "point and shoot". Try it and see how well it works. In single fire, you'll find that you can expend a 30rd magazine in just a few seconds, and you'll be putting most of your ammo right into the center mass of your target (since that's where your weapon is positioned on your own body).

Also, you should be changing out magazines periodically (unloading about every month or so and replacing with fresh; this will keep the magazine springs and followers in good working order) and don't fully load the magazines (you should put about 27 rounds in a 30rd magazine to avoid overstressing the magazine spring). And, while the multiple magazine setup looks nifty (where you have two mags connected for easy reloading), it actually plays hell with the spring in the magazine well, which was only designed for one magazine at a time.

Simple stuff, but it will prevent malfunctions, which have a real bad habit of happening at the most inopportune times. Trust me on that one, too. One of Murphy's Laws holds that, your weapon will undoubtedly jam just when you need it most.

Allan - Thanks for the pointers. I will have to try that next time I go out. Who knows when that will be. Have to drag myself away from this computer ;)