Quote:
Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand
One of the best is a sticker in the windows and on the doors stating that the house is protected by an alarm.
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Not really so much as you think.
Residential burglaries are usually smash and grab anyway. Most normal systems are programmed with a 30 second entry/disarm delay, which is a lot of time to start ransacking.
Another common tactic is to force open a window or door and then stand back and wait to see if the police show up. So, the stickers aren't really much of a deterrent, although Oprah-style TV shows have led a lot of people to believe otherwise.
You're also assuming that the thief is going to see that little sticker in the dark in the first place
If want to add a level of protection, a quality hardwired alarm panel with cellular backup monitoring is the way to go. Lots of externally visible things like stickers and signs can work against you. You are better off having the external appearance of no alarm and a very short entry delay (5 seconds or so) with a wireless disarm function. If you want to scare a thief off your best bet is to catch them by surprise. If they are expecting an alarm, then the siren is less surprising when it goes off. If you're using junk all-in-one systems, it is VERY easy to find and identify the main keypad or base station that serves as the brains of the system, and smash or disable it.
A panel in a can (enclosure) in a basement, attic, or interior closet, with a lock, battery backup, and protected wiring is going to prevent a thief from an easy disablement.
Catch them off guard when they enter and make it so it takes too much time to circumvent the system and you have a better chance of them changing their mind.
Stickers and cheap ebay alarm systems are really no upgrade from doing nothing and leaving it all to random chance.