Police Say Security Systems Matter

Despite recent concerns about false alarms and their inordinate cost to the public, police continue to favor security systems as a critical component of crime prevention.

A survey sponsored by the Security Equipment Industry Association and conducted by StatResources of Boston revealed most police believe security systems are effective.

• 85% of police officials believe that security systems decrease chances of residences being burglarized.

• 90% of police say a business is less likely to be burglarized if it has a security system.

• 90% of police officials feel that a security system increases the probability of a burglar being apprehended.

• 85% of chiefs surveyed say they have encouraged installation of electronic security systems in homes or businesses in their communities.

• 80% of police and 75% of fire chiefs in larger cities prefer security systems which alert a 24-hour monitoring company to those that report directly to police or fire departments.

• 86% of police and 81% of fire chiefs feel that a security system which has only a siren or bell on the protected premises, is better than no system at all.

• 50% of big-city police respondents believe that a typical home has more chance of being burglarized today than in 1980.

• 60% of police and fire officials report that home and business owners often ask them to make recommendations about security system installations.