# Best security system for an apartment **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 3, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090 "2016-01-03T20:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/1 "2016-01-03T20:48:42Z")
My apartment was burglarized while I was gone for Christmas, which is shitty. This is the first home burglary that I’ve been victim too. I’ve had stuff stolen from my car before, but it feels different when they go inside your home. So what kind of home security system can I get for the future in these events? They got in by breaking a window lock and pushing the window open. I don’t think I want one of those monthly charges home security system. Maybe a one time purchase of $100-200 or so would be ideal. Something that gives off a loud alarm if someone opens a window or the front door. ---
**Author:** ![Annadroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Annadroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annadroid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/2 "2016-01-03T21:08:02Z")
Boobytraps. A chain gun triggered by a motion sensor. Seriously, read this: [DIY security offers smarter peace of mind - CNET](http://www.cnet.com/news/diy-home-security-roundup/) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/3 "2016-01-03T21:50:50Z")
I’d like to get a camera. I think I’d only need one, but I would want one that can transmit video feed to a different location. A video camera where all the info is stored on an microSD card wouldn’t help me if they stole the camera. A hidden camera would be nice too, so that people don’t even know a camera is there. ---
**Author:** ![Annadroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Annadroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annadroid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/4 "2016-01-03T21:59:23Z")
Cameras would not prevent anyone from stealing your stuff. But they sure do help when identifying perps as long as you put them at a good height for facial recognition and your insurance company may give you a decent discount for installing them. Something that would raise a ruckus would do more for prevention. And insurance companies might give a discount on premiums for that, too. If you can afford it, I would suggest both cam with remote access and noisy gadget… ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/5 "2016-01-04T01:26:58Z")
> [@Annadroid](#): > > Cameras would not prevent anyone from stealing your stuff. But they sure do help when identifying perps as long as you put them at a good height for facial recognition and your insurance company may give you a decent discount for installing them. > Something that would raise a ruckus would do more for prevention. And insurance companies might give a discount on premiums for that, too. > If you can afford it, I would suggest both cam with remote access and noisy gadget… I’m thinking of devices like [this](http://www.amazon.com/DOBERMAN-SECURITY-Ultra-Slim-Vibration-Sensors/dp/B002S5NJOE/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1451870900&sr=8-19&keywords=window+security)on the windows, as well as some kind of camera I can put in the living room so in case someone still gets in, then I will have video that will capture their faces. Combined that setup may only cost me $80 or so. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/6 "2016-01-04T01:51:02Z")
I’d recommend a Simplisafe kit without monitoring. You can get the basic stuff for around $200-$250 with motion detection. ETA: I have Simplisafe with monitoring and it has been good so far. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/7 "2016-01-04T14:32:58Z")
> [@Doctor\_Who](#): > > I’d recommend a Simplisafe kit without monitoring. You can get the basic stuff for around $200-$250 with motion detection. These systems are available with alarms set off by motion (unless you punch in the security code within the delay period) and as mentioned, don’t require paying a monitoring fee. There are IP security cameras that can be purchased for around $75, which upload motion detector-derived images to your e-mail - so you’re not out a whole lot of money if a stupid thief removes the camera under the impression that the images are stored in it. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/8 "2016-01-04T19:54:13Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > My apartment was burglarized while I was gone for Christmas, which is shitty. This is the first home burglary that I’ve been victim too. I’ve had stuff stolen from my car before, but it feels different when they go inside your home. > > So what kind of home security system can I get for the future in these events? They got in by breaking a window lock and pushing the window open. > > I don’t think I want one of those monthly charges home security system. Maybe a one time purchase of $100-200 or so would be ideal. Something that gives off a loud alarm if someone opens a window or the front door. A Schutzhund. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/9 "2016-01-04T20:02:18Z")
What you want is this —\> [Piper](http://https://getpiper.com/). Get the basic camera with as many door/window sensors as you need. It has a camera that you can view remotely from your smartphone, it has a audible alarm, and it alerts you instantly (again on your smartphone) when there is an intrusion. As a bonus feature, I use it to check in on my dogs when I’m away. 😛 No monthly fees at all, just data usage on your phone when you are streaming video. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/10 "2016-01-05T21:59:12Z")
Remington 870 ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/11 "2016-01-05T22:46:35Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Remington 870 If I’m not home that doesn’t do me any good. Where can I find an affordable camera that will send the info to be saved on a hard drive somewhere? Granted, this is useless if they also steal my laptop so I’d probably have it streamed to some off site laptop. Maybe so I could store a week or two of video at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/12 "2016-01-05T22:50:18Z")
A looped non-stop tape of people grunting in the dark, as in a pig-farm, with eerie music, set off by motion sensors, might deter visitors. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/13 "2016-01-05T22:51:49Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > If I’m not home that doesn’t do me any good. > > Where can I find an affordable camera that will send the info to be saved on a hard drive somewhere? Granted, this is useless if they also steal my laptop so I’d probably have it streamed to some off site laptop. Maybe so I could store a week or two of video at a time. You could send the data straight to the cloud. And I rarely advocate the cloud. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/14 "2016-01-06T00:58:49Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > You could send the data straight to the cloud. > And I rarely advocate the cloud. True but I think some have monthly fees. I will pay a monthly fee if I have to, but if I could get it for free or cheap (cheap being $10/month or less) I’d prefer that. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-security-system-for-an-apartment/742090/15 "2016-01-06T06:40:00Z")
Get timers for the tv and some lamps for when you aren’t home. If it looks like someone may be in there, they will be less likely to try to break in. Probably the simplest and cheapest thing.