May 2009 - Posts
The city of Minneapolis is warning residents of high-pressure door-to-door home alarm sales efforts, which can seem like a good deal, but can end up costing homeowners thousands in the long-run.
The city wants homeowners to know there are often hidden installation fees associated with new alarm systems, and all companies charge monthly monitoring fees which can range from $30 to $50 or more.
Alarm users are required to pay for false alarms in Minneapolis. On the first false alarm call, residents are charged a registration fee of $30. The second alarm in a year costs $100, and the charge goes up $100 for each false alarm after that.
The reason for the false alarm charges is the cost to taxpayers for the use of police and other emergency crews. Poor-quality alarm systems could trigger false alarms, adding up costs for the homeowner.
If a home alarm salesperson comes to your house, the city advises homeowners to take the following steps:
Make sure the business is licensed: All door-to-door salespeople operating in Minneapolis need to carry a solicitors license: a picture I.D. card that customers can ask to see. If they do not provide one, its a sign that the business may not be licensed. To find out whether a salesperson or company is licensed, please call (612)673-2562
Document your conversation: Take good notes on the offers. Get the salespersons name, the company name and phone number. Also, get a written statement - not an estimate - that lists all costs, including installation and monthly or annual monitoring fees.
Ask about the company's policy: If the false alarm is due to faulty equipment, will you be reimbursed? Will service calls for the alarm be charged to you? Any contract should have this in writing.
Do not sign up right away or feel pressured to do so: Many sales pitches try to prompt you to act on the spot with one-time offers or other special deals. Remember, there are many alarm companies to choose from.
It is a well-known fact that all apartments in Maine must have fire detectors. But soon, carbon monoxide detectors may be added to the list of rental unit must-haves.
A bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in all single-family homes being converted into apartments or rental units passed in the Maine Senate Tuesday.
The bill, LD 550, was sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-District 12).
"Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Every year Maine citizens die as a result of this deadly gas. The passage of this bill will help greatly in the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning," Diamond said in a prepared statement.
The bill now heads to the Maine House for a vote.
When Ilene Taylor opened her skateboard shop in Redding, WA, last December, she never considered getting a security system.
It proved to be a costly mistake.
Taylor's Redding Skate Shop, which she owns with her son, Casey Nelson, was burglarized in March. The thieves made off with about $8,000 in merchandise and stole her laptop computer.
She thinks the culprit picked the lock on the door of the business, which is near Churn Creek Road and Hartnell Avenue, across the street from the Four Corners shopping center.
"The police called at 4:30 in the morning and told us the door was wide open," Taylor recalled. "We drove down and my son - who's a big, burly guy - I was behind him and he just about fainted. I had to catch him.
"I hate to use 'rape,' but you feel that way - very invaded."
It didn't take long for Taylor and Nelson to invest in a new security system, which includes some video surveillance. They also changed the locks in the door.
The mother-and-son business partners are thankful they had insurance, but the break-in was a setback.
"I think it kind of stunted our growth, but we are coming around now. ... But it definitely hurt us," Taylor said.
Redding Police Department statistics show there were 32 business break-ins from January to April 15, a 29 percent decrease from the same period in 2008. However, larcenies - which are all types of theft - are up 12 percent this year.
Redding Police community service officer Mike Leonard said an economic downturn has the potential for an uptick in burglaries.
"People need to survive. ... People who are unemployed need to find money to survive," Leonard said. "Some will be able to do that legally and a percentage will do it illegally."
Leonard said most businesses in Redding have burglar alarms.
"When it comes down to a choice of two businesses that offer similar opportunities, a burglar with any level of intelligence will chose the business that doesn't have an obvious alarm," Leonard said.
But businesses should also consider installing a video surveillance system, Leonard said, adding that a do-it-yourselfer can install a four-camera system for between $400 to $1,200. Having a security a company do the work could cost significantly more.
Businesses shouldn't be bashful about advertising they have security.
"Put up signs that say, 'Smile, you're on camera,' " Leonard suggested.
"Just knowing that the video camera is up there and knowing what you're doing is being recorded, is a very powerful tool to dissuade people from committing a crime."
Southern Indiana police agencies are stepping up patrols after a pair being called the “daytime burglars” allegedly struck multiple homes this week.
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Department worked nine burglaries in April. Seven of those have been residences in Greenville. One was at Mike’s Tavern in Floyds Knobs.
On Wednesday afternoon, a woman who lives along Ind. 62 came home to find one man in her garage and another trying to gain entrance through her front door, Floyd County Detective Capt. Jeff Topping said.
About 10 to 15 minutes later, there was a report of a burglary in Greenville at a home on the 8800 block of Ind. 335.
That evening, residents from the 8700 block arrived home from work to find their home had been burglarized. On Friday morning, Floyd County police learned there have been two burglaries and two burglary attempts in Salem. Police believe the burglaries and attempts likely are related.
Police believe rural homes are being targeted because there are few neighbors nearby to notice them.
Topping said many burglary suspects have told him that they will avoid houses that have a security alarm sign in the front yard. Even if the house does not actually have a security alarm, the sign could dissuade potential burglars.
“We’ve stepped up patrol and are trying to apprehend these subjects,” Topping said.
He said it is just a matter of time before they are caught by police or by a scared home owner carrying a weapon.
“People that don’t want to work are looking for a fast dollar, but a fast dollar can turn into 20 years in prison,” Topping said. “Some have already realized that crime doesn’t pay.”