Finding the right home security system is especially important in Detroit where the burglary rate is almost three times the national average. According to neighborhoodscout.com, which utilizes data from local law enforcement agencies, one out of every 21 Detroit residents will become a victim of property crime.
Detroit’s overall crime index rating is two out of 100, where 100 is the safest. That’s not to say all neighborhoods in Detroit pose the same risk. The affluent Indian Village and Boston-Edison neighborhoods have significantly lower crime rates, as does the less expensive Forest Park area. Detroit’s crime map is a speckled mix of relatively safe neighborhoods and a few too many dangerous ones, but the vast majority of neighborhoods fall somewhere in between.
It’s crucial to have a security system that gives you real-time alerts or is monitored by professionals. Detroit police no longer respond to burglar alarms that have not been verified by the homeowner or alarm company following a 2011 department report that found 98 percent of alarms were false. On the plus side, Detroit is one of only a handful of large cities that don’t require a permit for home security systems.
Detroiters have a variety of options in both provider and type of security system. For the tech-savvy who understand mounting, DIY systems allow for installation and future expansion on your schedule without having to hear the up-sale pitch. The elderly and anyone not confident in the ability to mount and install a security system can rely on professionals to get the job done right.
There are great options either way, but if you have an installation preference, it’s important to make sure it’s supported by the system you want. Some providers require professional installation while others only offer DIY systems.
Things to consider when buying a home security system in Detroit:
- Installation type
- Monthly services fees
- Self-monitoring or monitoring by professionals
- Live video and audio feeds
- Capacity for two-way audio or visual communication
- Current and future smart home plans: mobile door locking, water pipe turn-off, etc.
In addition to a home security system, experts say that homes with dogs are less likely to be burglarized. You don’t even have to own a pooch. Just a sign that you do helps deter would-be criminals. The National Council for Home Safety and Security also recommends not allowing mail or newspapers to pile up outside your house and putting your TV and/or lights on automatic timers prior to vacations. But deterrents alone aren’t always enough and they can’t stop a burglary in progress. A great security system can, and luckily for Detroiters, multiple options are available.
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