The Cost of Alarm Monitoring vs. the Cost of a Break-In
Property crime in the United States is costly. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, property crimes in 2018 resulted in an estimated $16.4 billion of losses.
The Cost of Crime
Larceny-theft is the most common of all property crimes, accounting for 73.4 percent. Larceny-theft is defined as the unlawful taking, carry, leading, or riding away of property from the possession of another. Shoplifting falls into this category.
-
The average value of the property taken during a larceny-theft is $1,153.
-
Burglary is the second most common property crime and is defined as the act of entering a building or car with the intent of committing a crime. Residential property burglaries account for 62.8 percent of all burglary offenses. The average dollar loss for a burglary is $2,799.
The average value of the property taken during a larceny-theft is $1,153.
Burglary is the second most common property crime and is defined as the act of entering a building or car with the intent of committing a crime. Residential property burglaries account for 62.8 percent of all burglary offenses. The average dollar loss for a burglary is $2,799.
With the rise of online shopping, porch piracy is also a costly type of theft year-round. The thieves don’t have to break into anything—they walk up to your front porch and take what they want. An estimated 36 percent of Americans are the victims of porch pirates, according to recent research, and nearly half of those have had packages stolen multiple times.
-
The average cost to replace the items stolen from porches is $109.
The average cost to replace the items stolen from porches is $109.
According to interviews with 86 inmates currently serving time for burglary, merely being able to see a security camera would keep them from breaking into a home. If they did break into a home and a security alarm went off, they would leave immediately.
The average price for home security monitoring services starts at $27 a month—comparable to what most of us pay for music and media entertainment subscriptions each month. This cost is also reasonable when you consider the peace of mind and protection it brings from property crimes that can cost you thousands of dollars.
Plus, you can recoup some of the cost of your monitoring from discounts on your home insurance coverage. Home insurance companies offer policy deductions for those willing to invest in a monitored alarm system because they know it will save them money.
If you are considering installing a security system for your home or business and want to learn more about your options, call us for a free estimate. FSS can monitor your fire alarm, burglar alarm, or security cameras all without breaking the bank.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Fire Prevention, Protection, and Suppression Systems
Fire safety is a crucial matter that every business should prioritize. Whether it’s caused by arson or an accident, a fire can cause catastrophic damage to a company’s property, inventory, and equipment if the proper protection measures aren’t in place or there are operational issues. In more unfortunate cases, insufficient fire safety standards can put…
The 3 Key Differences in Residential vs. Business Security Explained
What is the difference between a commercial and a residential security system? Who has access to the building and when? How are special areas such as storerooms, restaurant cooking facilities, or cash registers protected? What special regulations need to be met for securing elevators, stairwells, or parking lots? How will data storage and playback issues…
Where Should Smoke Detectors Be Placed?
Smoke Detector Placement Fire can spread extremely fast. In just minutes, a building can be fully engulfed in flames. Smoke detectors are critical to give people inside homes and commercial buildings early warnings so they have time to get out. Proper smoke detector placement is also key when it comes to keeping your home or business safe. Residential Smoke Detector Placements At a minimum, The National Fire Protection…
Why Night Staff Should Have Fire Alarm Training
In the years that I traveled as a Sales Representative, I experienced many times when a fire alarm would go off throughout the night. As the hotel guests evacuated, I often found that the night staff didn’t know what to do. In almost every case, it was an accidental alarm, and in many cases, night…
How Often Should You Check Your Smoke Detectors?
Fire Alarm Testing Whether your fire alarm is protecting your home or a commercial facility, regular testing of your fire alarm system is critical to ensure it is working correctly. This test guarantees that everyone occupying the home or office understands what to do when the fire alarm sounds, gives you a chance to check…
What are the Best Outdoor Security Cameras?
When it comes to protecting your home, you need to think about both the indoor and outdoor components of your security system. Security cameras can allow you to see and monitor what is going on, even if you aren’t there in person. Placing cameras outside to protect your home or business requires a bit more…
5 Common Causes of Commercial Fires
Many business owners and employees think their chances of dealing with a fire in the workplace are improbable, but the numbers tell a different story. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 116,500 commercial fires were reported nationally in 2021. These fires contributed to 115 deaths, 1,025 injuries, and over $3.6 billion in…
What to Do if Someone Breaks into Your House
Arriving home to find that your home has been burglarized is one of the worst feelings someone can have. You’re left feeling raw, vulnerable, and angry. In this time of high stress, it may be hard to put your thoughts together to remember everything that now needs to be done. We have put together a list…
What are the Different Types of Smoke Detectors?
Smoke detectors are vital to fire safety for homes and businesses. Because they protect lives from fires or gas leaks, it’s essential to choose the best detector for your environment. There are various options to choose from, meaning you need to understand the benefits each one offers before making a selection. Learn more about the…
What is the Difference Between Analog and IP Cameras in a CCTV System?
When you are considering different security systems and potentially implementing surveillance cameras into your home or business, a big question is whether you want IP or analog cameras. Global Market Insights estimates that the IP camera market will be worth more than 20 billion by 2025. With today’s technology both IP and analog systems can be viewed…