spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

i live in suffolk county. used to live in a bad section of queens. coming from where i came from i feel it is not neccessary to have an alarm system. but my husband...well remember those robberies in nassau county last summer that were violent? well my husband is scared of that. i close my windows but don't always lock them. my side and back door is always unlocked. i hide my key outside in a pretty easyto find spot. am i asking for trouble? do you think it is neccessary to have an alarm system in a low-key neighborhood? also, my neighborhood is very working middle class. most of us are not the ones worth robbing. i mean, like my family for example do not have a lot of jewerly, or anything really worth robbing. i would be more scared getting robbed and the robbers beating us up b/c we don't have much to steal street value wise.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

I didn't think it was neccassary where we live, but it was worth the savings on our homeowner's policy & the just in case factor.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

honestly- I grew up in Suffolk in a house with an alarm- that went off on it's on so many times - the suffolk police no longer came (my house was not the only one the stopped going too)

but we did have panic buttons - which always made me feel safe- 2 fixed and 1 mobile

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Necessary no, good idea yes. It makes me feel safer and I really believe that unless someone is specifically targeting us they would definitely rather rob a house with no alarm!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

i never did, but my DH insisted & now I'm glad we have it, mostly for the central station fire alarm though.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

For me it's necessary for my peace of mind.
I live where you'd really have to choose my house to rob but it still makes me feel better.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

It's like bringing a sweater out to dinner. Will I need it? Maybe not. But I'll be kicking myself if I don't bring it and the AC is on 50 degrees.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

I never grew up with one but when DH & I bought our house, he insisted. First off, there are many nights he doesn't get home til late & he wants to know I am safe in the house. Also it is for peace of mind. Will be ever need it, who knows, but knowing we have it, it sits a lot better with both of us!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

I grew up with one and can't sleep unless ours is on.

For me it is necessary. I am so paranoid anyway. For $120 every 3 months or so it is worth it.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

i think the peace of mind is definitely worth it.


although ours went off the other day by mistake and it took the cops 2 hours to get there....good thing it wasn't an emergency

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

a bit long, but I have a few stories...

I grew up in an area of suffolk that was pretty low key, nothing major happened, good area-neighbors close by...
I was home alone and downstairs (hi-ranch) in the computer room, my dog who never barked ever was upstairs, I did NOT have my alarm on- didn't think I needed it, even though when my parents went out they told me to put it on...

Well, around 11pm my dog started going insane upstairs- I got nervous since he never barked and kind of snuck upstairs to catch a peak when I saw someone at my back door- (my kitchen had a sliding door that led to a deck outside-) someone was there!

I couldnt get to my alarm because I didn't want the person to see me... went back downstairs, called my neighbor who didn't answer-

Called my mom and dad where they were and my mom stayed on the phone with me while another person she was with called the police-they came and found fingerprints and footsteps, but never found the men- apparently there was a bar fight not too far away and people went running looking to "hide" and I guess my house was going to be one of those places-

STUPID me should have called the police myself, but I was scared-

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me grandmother was robbed and she lived in Nesconset- a good neighborhood-
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I live in CT now in a nice area- but one of the first things we did was got an alarm... It gives me peace of mind when my DH is away on business, and just overall makes me feel safer-

Honestly, having it will cause no harm, but the slight possibility that something might happen would make me want to have one!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

I grew up with one and my mom basically made me put one in this house. I think that if DH was ever out late or out for the night it would make me feel much more comfortable. And, once the baby comes I have a feeling I'll appreciate it more!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Yes. My inlaws live two blocks from us and were robbed when DH was younger. Their next door neighbors have been robbed as well. We live in a nice part of Levittown. My parent's next door neighbor in Commack was robbed. Being a "nice" neighborhood or "quiet" neighborhoood doesn't matter.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

For me it is. My DH works some nights and I am already a person who is afraid of every sound in the dark.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

I lived in NYC for years, never had an alarm system there and had no problems. So no, I wouldn't think they are necessary here.

So many houses we looked at had them though, and the one we bought has one installed, so we will use it since it's there.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

we live in a great area, but regardless i get nervous when i'm home alone. the alarm makes me feel better!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Before even getting an alarm, you might want to rethink the "hidden key", and leaving open access to your house through unlocked doors and windows.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

We have one and I feel safer.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

never had an alarm growing up but my DH insisted that we get one in our home. I guess its not a bad idea...we live on a sort of busy street.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Posted by MissJones

It's like bringing a sweater out to dinner. Will I need it? Maybe not. But I'll be kicking myself if I don't bring it and the AC is on 50 degrees.

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

When Slomins came to install our alarm - they said the first thing burglars look for are windows that are not locked. Ever since hearing that I always make sure all windows are locked!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Just watching that show, "To Catch a Thief" has made me totally paranoid about leaving ANYTHING unlocked!!!!

Re: spinoff: do you think alarm systems are neccessary

Posted by skew

Posted by mommy2Two

i close my windows but don't always lock them. my side and back door is always unlocked. i hide my key outside in a pretty easyto find spot. am i asking for trouble?.

not necessarily asking for trouble but not the smartest thing to do. not to mention, announcing it to all those that post lurk on the boards. ???