In 2011, the number of reported
burglaries were higher in the USA (702
per 100,000 households) than the same year in Canada, (526
per 100,000 households). Canada has never been far behind, and in some recent
years past, we had surpassed them.
This very un-Canadian sounding fact is frequently
downplayed by think-positive, nothing-to-see-here, political/media entities who
prefer to stress the feel good statistic that there has been a steady decrease
in reported burglaries since 1981.
However, if asked, these same sources will also
admit that an estimated 50% of break-ins aren’t reported. And it's
impossible to tell if the rate of unreported incidents has risen or fallen over
that same period, since "50%" is not really a statistic at all,
but a mere guess. Sorry, but another word for a statistic based on
guesswork is hogwash.
Still, even without counting the unreported
burglaries, that is still works out to about one residence every 10 seconds in
Canada, or one home in every 33.
So is it worthwhile considering whether or not an
alarm system is worth the freight?
The following factors have contributed to my
decision:
SOME BURGLARS DON'T CARE ABOUT ALARMS
I remember reading a study that suggested that about
half the identified burglars (incarcerated/paroled) who were interviewed for a
research project, claimed that they were or would be deterred by signs
that a targeted premise was/were protected by alarms. The other half said
that signs or indications would not be a factor in deciding whether or
not to burgle a house or apartment. They reasoned they would probably be
in and out long before law enforcement arrived, and are aware
that unverified alarm-activations (as opposed to a verified
Crime-in-Progress) take a low priority in Police dispatch triage. See: The Four-Minute Rule and three modern myths about home security.) The average time
in is eight minutes, but experienced burglars like to stay under the average
dispatch time of any potentially responding police.
So, if half the burglars out there don't care if
the home is alarmed, fake alarm signs may be almost as effective against those
who do.
This eBay listing, for example, is for 6 Alarm Stickers for $5.86, plus $3.00 international
shipping, that may or may not fool some potential burglars into thinking the risks
are not worth the effort, and pass on by.
I'm sure some burglars are going to look at this
and think, "That's fake. Absolutely." But the next guy
down the alley may ask himself, "Why take the chance?" We need
to bear in mind that burglars are individuals in the risk-taking business, and
we don't really know what goes on in their minds. When they see a sticker,
they have to speculate on the odds that a sticker is bona-fide, and that the
alarm system is paid for and up to date, and not just an artifact of previous
owners. Regardless, a dummy sticker will deter some fraction
of the fifty percent of burglars who are leery of homes with alarm
stickers.
There are also a variety of dummy CCTV cameras,
that look like the real thing, and even the real ones have come down in price,
and are available for less than a couple of hundred dollars at the big
box stores.
Another free service which has been shown to
statistically reduce the chances of a breakin, and that is to become part of
the Toronto Police Service "Operation Identification." Contact
the Crime Prevention Office of you local Police Division, and they will lend
you a hand-held, electric engraver, with with which you can discretely mark
your valuables with your name, SIN, or Driver's Licence number. This will
make your property very undesirable to a criminal, and increase the chances it
will be returned.
You will also receive window stickers, that say
WARNING Valuables in this house have identification markings, and most burglars
will probably opt to pass on by. Marked items are dangerous to be caught
holding, and virtually impossible to fence.
You can buy a little electric engraver of your
own, for under fifteen dollars at Canadian Tire, and this will let you add to markings to any new acquisitions without a back and forth to the police station, but the
stickers are what you want for burglary deterrence, and your local police will provide them for the
asking.
MONITORED ALARM COSTS VS. ACTUARIAL COSTS
Insurance actuators estimate the average dollar
loss for a typical North American burglary to be $1,607
per residential break in which happens to be very close to the average costs of a monitored alarm-
-system over three years. So, an unalarmed
homeowner who isn’t burglarized over a three-year period, looks to be ahead of
the game after about this amount of time.
Now, this simplistic theoretical equation suffers
from the same flaw as most simplistic, theoretical equations do, in that
it is complete, simplistic, theoretical hogwash. It doesn't factor
theoretical life safety issues, or the peace of mind that an alarm system may
provide some individuals, and the actual, and emotional value of your
possessions.
On the other hand, find out if an alarm will pay
for itself, in a significant reduction of your policy fees. (This was not
the case with my insurer.)
TORONTO'S $1000 DOLLAR FALSE ALARM FEE
Now consider the hidden costs of false
alarm-activations. The fire department isn't supposed to attend burglar
alarm activations, but they sometimes do. Among other reasons, if your
alarm triggers an audible alarm, your neighbours might be calling it in.
In 1998, The City of Toronto enacted Bylaw No.133-1998 (Municipal Code, Chapter 441-1)
was enacted, which identifies fees to be charged for nuisance and malicious
alarms. Currently, the so-called administration fee has been upped, (again)
to $1,230.00 when the following criteria are met;
• A mechanical failure
• An equipment malfunction
• Improper maintenance or installation of the
system
• The negligent or intentional misuse of a
fire alarm system resulting in the activation of the system (Any of a variety of “Oopsy"
mistakes."
Many other surrounding municipalities have
followed suit, and have their own fee schedule.
Homeowners can get a partial refund of a fine if
they upgrade their systems within a year of a false alarm. But if your
insurance company foots the bill to replace malfunctioning equipment, however,
you are still on the hook. http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/55911-homeowner-fined-1g-for-false-fire-alarm/
Single-family homes used to be allowed one false
alarm a year without being billed. But in February 2010, Toronto councillors
approved a zero-tolerance approach. Toronto made a whopping $7.4 million off
these fees last year, but Toronto council refused to budge and
give up on the estimated $1 million revenue loss that a first-time exemption
would cost.
You can request a review of the fine, (sorry,
"Administration Fee") here: http://www.toronto.ca/fire/false_alarm_review.htm
In the event you have a police only response, (A
$130.00 "Administration Fee") contact the monitoring station and
request that an Alarm Disposition Appeal Request be submitted with any
supporting documentation. The Toronto Police Alarm Response Coordinator
will only accept appeals that have been submitted in writing by the monitoring
station. To request a review go here: http://www.toronto.ca/fire/false_alarm_review.htm
PRO's and CON's
My personal opinion, for what it's worth, leans
toward forgoing the cost of a monitored system and investing a
portion of that money towards physically hardening the security of my
residence. There are alternate points of view, and you may disagree.
In fact I'd like to hear alternative viewpoints, and I hope to see
dissenting views in the comments.
And interesting article: http://www.asecurelife.com/burglary-statistics
