NationStates Jolt Archive

I live in small town. I mean really small. There is honestly
no crime. Maybe couple of teenagers drinking beer. If by any
change someone gets robbed or anything it's on the front
page. (paper isn't ours it's our neighbouring towns)

Anyway This guy came to my house like ten minutes ago
and started to recommend somekind of homesecurity
system. It's big company too, I think. In the business card
they claim to be "A world leader in security" But the funny
thing was. In his speech he implaied about a somekind
of neighbour watch system, or whatever. I live with my dad
so he's going to make decision to join or not, he won't.

I ask you is it gone too far? Are everybody too afraid?
what do you think.

I ask you is it gone too far? Are everybody too afraid?
what do you think.
Nothing wrong with an alarm system I guess

I live in small town. I mean really small. There is honestly
no crime. Maybe couple of teenagers drinking beer. If by any
change someone gets robbed or anything it's on the front
page. (paper isn't ours it's our neighbouring towns)

Anyway This guy came to my house like ten minutes ago
and started to recommend somekind of homesecurity
system. It's big company too, I think. In the business card
they claim to be "A world leader in security" But the funny
thing was. In his speech he implaied about a somekind
of neighbour watch system, or whatever. I live with my dad
so he's going to make decision to join or not, he won't.

I ask you is it gone too far? Are everybody too afraid?
what do you think.

Weeeeelll, I live in a semi-bad part of Miami. There's mostly old people around here but some brutal crimes have occured. There was this one instance when somebody broke into my home while I was there and I had to chase them out. Extra security isn't such a bad idea these days, but you shouldn't have to feel like you're a slave to criminals.

I live in small town. I mean really small. There is honestly
no crime. Maybe couple of teenagers drinking beer. If by any
change someone gets robbed or anything it's on the front
page. (paper isn't ours it's our neighbouring towns)

Anyway This guy came to my house like ten minutes ago
and started to recommend somekind of homesecurity
system. It's big company too, I think. In the business card
they claim to be "A world leader in security" But the funny
thing was. In his speech he implaied about a somekind
of neighbour watch system, or whatever. I live with my dad
so he's going to make decision to join or not, he won't.

I ask you is it gone too far? Are everybody too afraid?
what do you think.
Depends upon whether your dad can afford it or not. :)

Depends on where you live. Sounds like you don't have a problem.

Oddly, regardless of where you live, adding a home security system will lower the premium on your homeowners insurance.

I find a good dog to be a better investment, though. More fun. I can play frisbee with a dog, and I can't do that with a security system.

In addition to the dog, if you ARE worried (i.e., if you don't live in a small sleepy town), you can own a gun as well. The gun is also fun, and can be used for entertainment, especially if you have access to melons and old computers.

You don't have to be afraid. You can also have fun.

neighborhood watches are common here in Amerika.

Just be happy you haven't felt the wrath of Guardian Angels.

we have a neighbourhood watch guy down our lane (for all 4 of the farms down there :rolleyes: ) I hate him, he's a racist prick, he rang the police a few weeks back cause a black guy drove down our road, I nearly went round and kicked his arse

Depends upon whether your dad can afford it or not. :)


Yes. If he has money for it he spend it all in security - leaving
potential robbers nothing. If he cannot afford it he doesn't
need it :D

neighborhood watches are common here in Amerika.

Just be happy you haven't felt the wrath of Guardian Angels.


They are not common here and I wonder why start at some
small sleepy town (like Whispering Legs put it)

Depends on where you live. Sounds like you don't have a problem.

Oddly, regardless of where you live, adding a home security system will lower the premium on your homeowners insurance.

I find a good dog to be a better investment, though. More fun. I can play frisbee with a dog, and I can't do that with a security system.

In addition to the dog, if you ARE worried (i.e., if you don't live in a small sleepy town), you can own a gun as well. The gun is also fun, and can be used for entertainment, especially if you have access to melons and old computers.

You don't have to be afraid. You can also have fun.


OH MY GOD! You like guns too???

Do you turn your tv on and off by shooting the power button when you can't find the remote?

errr, not that I do that, just asking.

They are not common here and I wonder why start at some
small sleepy town (like Whispering Legs put it)

Did the guy have a monk's robe on?

I think you spoke to my crazy uncle Darius. He's trying to start a cult and tricks people into it by calling it a neighborhood watch.

I have no need for guns. I've trained in Kali and knife throwing for a long time. I don't go anywhere without two throwing knives and a tactical knife. If someone tries to attack me with a gun they'd get a knife in each eye socket before they can pull the trigger, however firing weapons is fun.

Horrifically enough, I'm going to agree with Whispering Legs here, about the dog. When my brother moved, he left his dog Simba (an Alsatian/Ridgeback/Mastiff cross). It was a LARGE dog. And very intimadating to look at - but an absolute sook. I could scare it with the garden hose - he hated getting wet and would whine and hide when I cleaned the car.
But I digress.

He may have been a softie, but he sure looked the part of a dog you wouldn't want to mess with. Usually he had an excitable high-pitched kinda of yap (especially when I took him to the beach and he saw the seagulls which he was obsessed with chasing), except when anyone he didn't know came onto the property. Then he stand staunch as, eyeing them and bark really deep.

One day my idiot flatmate left the front door wide open - which faced a very busy street and right next to the local school. When I came home 4 hours later Simba was lying on the doorstep watching everyone walk by. Nothing was stolen.

I left him with my parents when I came over here and in 2 months he scared off at least 4 people wandering onto their property really late at night.

I was really pissed off (still am) at my brother when he decided he wanted Simba back, as I felt Mum and Dad needed him more than my brother (who about 10 years ago spent three months training with the Green Berets as part of a self-defence course he was teaching).

I'm getting lot of good answers why it is good. But in my
town it's just not necessary. It smells like somebody is
trying make money with 'current' mass hysteria about
everybody being in danger. :(

The place live in was again on the safest rated in the country for the past several years.
I still have an alarm and I am still aware of what goes on in my neighborhood. I have a great relationship with immediate neighbors-and their dogs- and we are watchful of each other's property. We live on a dead end street, and I'm near the end, so strangers stick out like a sore thumb,unless they are carrying golf clubs,trying to sneak onto the course.
I have other security measures too.
None of these are based on fear or panic. I wouldnt live in a place where that was an issue. I like to be prepared and help rule out the rare, random act that could make me or my family victims. My reasonable efforts have made the chance of us being victimized very slim. You would have to be extremely skilled and motivated to get in here. At which point, you'd have me to deal with. And I dont have any material items on the premises that would warrant that type of risk anyway.

and just a side note- my alarms are less for break ins-and more for fire,carbon monoxide, low temperature warning and leaking water. These are bigger concerns than a break in for me.

I have no need for guns. I've trained in Kali and knife throwing for a long time. I don't go anywhere without two throwing knives and a tactical knife. If someone tries to attack me with a gun they'd get a knife in each eye socket before they can pull the trigger, however firing weapons is fun.I don't need guns either, or a security system. People who break into my house are usually trapped (it's on the 12th floor) and when I arrive at home they don't usually make it out of there alive. People stopped breaking in when I nailed one of their skulls to the door as a warning to others.

A responsible civilian is an armed civialian. Remember: guns make the world a safer place.

We purchased a security system for our house when we bought it. Our neighborhood is so safe, that one of the local police told us that he wouldn't even lock his door here, if he lived here.

Why then did we get a security system? Because of it's fire and carbon monoxide detectors calling the fire department while we AREN'T at home. We have lots of pets... they can't call the fire department while we aren't there. The security system can. Plus, response times are about 50% better with a security system, since they directly contact which ever emergency group is needed... no waiting for 911 (or equivalent). I personally feel safer while I'm out of the house, knowing that my pets won't be burned to death if something goes horribly wrong...

The matter of home security is an individual value judgement.

We purchased a security system for our house when we bought it. Our neighborhood is so safe, that one of the local police told us that he wouldn't even lock his door here, if he lived here.

Why then did we get a security system? Because of it's fire and carbon monoxide detectors calling the fire department while we AREN'T at home. We have lots of pets... they can't call the fire department while we aren't there. The security system can. Plus, response times are about 50% better with a security system, since they directly contact which ever emergency group is needed... no waiting for 911 (or equivalent). I personally feel safer while I'm out of the house, knowing that my pets won't be burned to death if something goes horribly wrong...

This is enough peace of mind to make it a good reason to have one.

normally, i'd say there's nothing wrong with extra security, but in a town where there is no crime, installing security can communicate mistrust, which always creates the reason to mistrust...

I'm getting lot of good answers why it is good. But in my
town it's just not necessary. It smells like somebody is
trying make money with 'current' mass hysteria about
everybody being in danger. :(
Well, from Finnish point of view. Absolute rubbish. You don't need it more than a popcorn machine. If your father would be a millionaire and has a lot of very expensive items around the house you could consider it but as it sounds that he isn't, why waste your money.

Finnish burglars take stuff from cottages and buildings under construction. Very rarely from homes. (and surprisingly, usually from quite poor or old people's homes)

Alorealia gave a good reason to have one but that doesn't work in our country so even that reason is not valid in your case. Fire alarms are mandatory in every house (&flat etc).

Once upon a time in England I managed to launch a security alarm system in a quite area. The alarm thing howled and screamed and made other horribly loud voices for about 20 minutes. I sit on the front door (for that 20 minutes) and wait until the security guys came. No one noticed me before that. I could have robbed the whole place before the security company arrived. Nor did they ask for any ID or even if I lived in that house. They just turned it off and wished me good evening when they left.

:eek: Did the guy have a monk's robe on?

I think you spoke to my crazy uncle Darius. He's trying to start a cult and tricks people into it by calling it a neighborhood watch.

:eek: He offered me a pair of white nikes and a cup of jello -shifty eyes-

Security definitely should be increased, but perhaps not in the way the general populace views it. Many think the government should be doing it. I say the people should be concentrating on it instead.

Speaking from what I've seen in the US, we Americans are totally oblivious to our surroundings, not paying attention as to what is going on. Simple personal awareness can play a huge role in personal security. Everyone's so wrapped up in what they are doing in their lives that they can't take time to look around and notice what's happening in their general vicinity.

Most of us who carry concealed when we can tend to have a higher awareness level, since we have a tool that can be used in a potentially lethal situation. This allows us to get out of the situation before anything can start or escalate.