ADT vs others

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halfmoonforever

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Hi guys

There's been a few break-ins in my neighborhood and 2 weeks ago a break in in my house. We have an alarm not connected to a security company (i know i know).

Last night someone took a dump in my yard, footprints appeared the same as the last break-in evidence. So now the SO is scared.

I'm thinking of going fully kitted, outdoor beams, CCTV, ADT etc. Asked for a quote and waiting for them to get back to me.

Any idea what the monthly cost of this will be? Does armed response patrol the area?
 
Depends on what you want and pay for.
In my house in Europe, the security company patrols the grounds at irregular intervals (And report in via a control mechanism at three locations around the property). Obviously they need to have access codes and keys to your property.
I don't use that service in SA, but they do offer it here too.
 
JStrike said:
Depends on what you want and pay for.
In my house in Europe, the security company patrols the grounds at irregular intervals (And report in via a control mechanism at three locations around the property). Obviously they need to have access codes and keys to your property.
I don't use that service in SA, but they do offer it here too.
Click to expand...

Which security company is this?
 
Look for a local company in your area, they usually provide a better service.
 
xrapidx said:
Look for a local company in your area, they usually provide a better service.
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I have to agree with this - use a local company.

I was an ADT client for 2+ years - they are the WORST. Your local branch may seem to be okay, but wait until there's an admin screw up. The HQs are even worse! Just take a look at their Hellopeter complaints.

I've since changed to a local company everything just works..
 
When looking for a security company, see who is most prevalent in your area. They will usually have more cars and therefore better response times.
If there are 2 or 3 main companies, you can go and ask the police who they recommend.

A friend of mine stayed in an area where most people were with ADT so they deployed a security guard on a bike to ride around the neighbourhood.

Cost depends on the average value of houses in the area. Security companies generally charge a rate that people in the area can afford so this can vary.
I know of people paying anywhere from just under R300 to just under R600 based more on where they live than the actual security company.
 
Step 1: Go for the Paradox MG5050 Wireless Alarm System - Pros: It can easily be moved, allowing to properly calibrate and fine tune your beams and passives. I paid R18k for my system, its worth the money as I will take it with should I move.

Step 2: I agree, go for a local company. Everyone in my suburb uses the local security company, they have dedicated patrol vehicles and the response is amazing, never more than literally 2-3 minutes. We pay R210 per month for armed response linked to our alarm system.
 
We have ADT and CSS in our Neighbourhood (Johburg North) and ADT is without doubt the most complained about service provider, with their patrol cars "sitting" at obscure places (like a parking lot or KFC drive through) for hours on end.

CSS however in our area has been excellent in their patrols and proactive guarding

Doube check with your neighbourhood / street captain / whatsapp group to see what the general consensus is
 
halfmoonforever said:
Hi guys

There's been a few break-ins in my neighborhood and 2 weeks ago a break in in my house. We have an alarm not connected to a security company (i know i know).

Last night someone took a dump in my yard, footprints appeared the same as the last break-in evidence. So now the SO is scared.

I'm thinking of going fully kitted, outdoor beams, CCTV, ADT etc. Asked for a quote and waiting for them to get back to me.

Any idea what the monthly cost of this will be? Does armed response patrol the area?
Click to expand...

ADT, paying for insurance discount.

Fidelity much better.
 
ADT is terrible. We fired them. We now have Fidelity. Happy so far.
 
It's area dependent, one has to monitor your neighbours alarms and company response times to get a good idea as well as see whose vehicles stand around close by or drive around the area.

Lets take my area:
Often seen vehicles standing or driving - ADT, Bull, Accon
Rarely seen vehicles standing or driving - Chubb, IMC, Ubuntu
Neighbour 2 houses down - alarms goes off, I walk out of house and yard to their yard and ADT AR vehicle arrives at same time (so around 2 minutes, at most they take 5 min)
Neighbour across, 2 houses up - alarms goes off, I walk out of house and get in car (hey, its uphill) and go check, IMC AR vehicle arrives after I've already gone home again (around 10 to 15 minutes)
Bull Security and Accon is generally more around the 5 minutes mark (can be faster or slower).
 
Grootvoel, you are either a super neighbour or a busybody.
 
bokdrol said:
Grootvoel, you are either a super neighbour or a busybody.
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Ain't nobody got time fo that

Just security and safety minded and want a secure neighbourhood (outermost layer of home defence), don't care much about domestic disturbances and other such civilian issues.
 
halfmoonforever said:
Hi guys

There's been a few break-ins in my neighbourhood and 2 weeks ago a break in in my house. We have an alarm not connected to a security company (i know i know).

Last night someone took a dump in my yard, footprints appeared the same as the last break-in evidence. So now the SO is scared.

I'm thinking of going fully kitted, outdoor beams, CCTV, ADT etc. Asked for a quote and waiting for them to get back to me.

Any idea what the monthly cost of this will be? Does armed response patrol the area?
Click to expand...

What's your perimeter like? Decent height fence or wall? Can motor gate be lifted off track by a crim?

You must also check out a correctly installed electric fence (in must be on to be effective and linked to a siren to alarm you or your alarm system, thus armed response).

Now some *insert derogatory term here* might say its of no use (which is correct if it's not correctly installed or is off), just get yard beams. Well, if you are braaing in your yard or gardening or whatever, can your yard beams be on?.... Yeah, thought so. Can you electric fence be on while you are in the yard? Definitely. So now some crim can't just jump over you wall or fence with its 8 strand, square tube, electric fence and hold you up at gunpoint...
 
supersunbird said:
Ain't nobody got time fo that

Just security and safety minded and want a secure neighbourhood (outermost layer of home defence), don't care much about domestic disturbances and other such civilian issues.
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Wish more people were like that. Don't worry, I am also a busybody
 
Try to get one of the local companies that work with the community policing forum, The local guys often carry radios in their cars and attend to problems even if its not one of their clients via problems reported on the CPF radios.

ADT you will have to wait for dispatch to send.
 
blowdart18 said:
Try to get one of the local companies that work with the community policing forum, The local guys often carry radios in their cars and attend to problems even if its not one of their clients via problems reported on the CPF radios.

ADT you will have to wait for dispatch to send.
Click to expand...

In our case that's ADT :p

And now Accon.
 
As above but join your local CPF and get involved.
You'll only then realise the amount of crime in your area.
ADT is also definitely not on my desirable list.
We have had endless hassles with ADT trying to get reports from them to enable us to settle claims.
 
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