# We we're robbed last night. Please recommend a security system. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393 "2015-06-24T20:27:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/1 "2015-06-24T20:27:52Z")
We we’re robbed last night. Please recommend a security system. Criminal broke into my wife’s car which was parked on the street. They found a garage door opener in her car and used that to get into the garage. All that was stolen was my Acer Chromebook, no biggie. They also stole the wife’s Insurance card and Vehicle Registration from the glove compartment. (Why?) The garage abuts our kitchen door to the garage. While in the garage, the criminal could have jimmied the lock on the kitchen door and gained entry. We didn’t hear a thing. Spooky. Questions. 1). What is to be gained by stealing the wifes Insurance card and Vehicle Registration? 2). Need suggestions (pros and cons) of a home security system. Please advise. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/2 "2015-06-24T20:29:09Z")
Dog. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/3 "2015-06-24T20:36:48Z")
No can do dog tho I am buying one of one of these. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/4 "2015-06-24T20:42:51Z")
For this type of opportunistic criminals, a dog is the best deterrence. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/5 "2015-06-24T20:51:34Z")
No can buy dog as we rent the house. Also, as an ex-criminal said on TV, “If your dog is cute, we’ll take him too.” Question I had was, “Define Cute.” ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/6 "2015-06-24T21:12:25Z")
120 lb rottweilers can be pretty cute; or 90 lb dobies. Failing that are you wanting a monitored system or something stand alone? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/7 "2015-06-24T21:17:59Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > No can buy dog as we rent the house. Also, as an ex-criminal said on TV, “If your dog is cute, we’ll take him too.” Question I had was, “Define Cute.” My dog is 55 pounds of muscle. With canine teeth over an inch long and a very deep bark. As soon as they rattled the door, and he barked, they’d leave and go find a home with no dog home. Tank to your landlord. Dogs can easily be trained not to harm the property. I had a sheriff officer tell us once that the absolute best home defense was a good watchdog and a working cellphone. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/8 "2015-06-24T21:20:28Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > We we’re robbed last night. Burglarized. A big dog (or the illusion of a big dog) and indications that you’re armed (whether you are or not) will scare away a good chunk of thieves. Security lights are not without their value and are inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/9 "2015-06-24T21:31:43Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > 120 lb rottweilers can be pretty cute; or 90 lb dobies. Failing that are you wanting a monitored system or something stand alone? Question swampspruce. What is the difference regarding “monitored” or “stand alone” systems? I’m a newbie on this subject. Thx! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/10 "2015-06-24T21:35:57Z")
Monitored means the system sends a message to a center where they call the appropriate resources. Stand alone is like a burglar alarm on a car. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/11 "2015-06-24T21:37:33Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Dog. Trained dog. One that just big and barks won’t cut it. Had one growing up these burglars new we had one and fed him via the kitchen window before robbing us. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/12 "2015-06-24T22:05:19Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Monitored means the system sends a message to a center where they call the appropriate resources. Stand alone is like a burglar alarm on a car. Ah! Thx Morgensten. I may get both. Recommendations? As I said, we didn’t hear a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/13 "2015-06-24T22:55:02Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > We we’re robbed last night. Please recommend a security system. > > Questions. > > 1). What is to be gained by stealing the wifes Insurance card and Vehicle Registration? > > Please advise. Identity theft probably. You should flag your credit report. The registration card might be sufficient for one of those payday type loans. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/14 "2015-06-25T00:33:08Z")
Talk to your landlord. Then, get the dog. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/15 "2015-06-25T00:40:09Z")
Two dogs. A woof-woof dog and a yappy little one to wake him up. And they can keep each other company. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/16 "2015-06-25T00:49:41Z")
Any recommendations regarding a shot gun. I’m serious. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/17 "2015-06-25T01:09:34Z")
We have ADT here in Canada. Don’t know if you have it in the US. We’ve used them for close to twenty years in two different houses. The system includes motion detectors and detectors on the doors, including the garage door. Once the system is armed, if a door is opened or someone comes through a window and crosses the motion detector, the alarm sounds. You can turn on the while thing while you’re away, or only the doors for at night, so we don’t set it off by going to get a snack from the kitchen in the middle of the night. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/18 "2015-06-25T01:55:02Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Any recommendations regarding a shot gun. I’m serious. Pump-action for the racking sound, but if you slept through this break-in you may not be a good candidate. And for God’s sake, learn how to use it! We don’t want to hear about you blowing your foot off because you thought you heard someone. Dog’s still better. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/19 "2015-06-25T02:10:09Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Question swampspruce. What is the difference regarding “monitored” or “stand alone” systems? I’m a newbie on this subject. Thx! > [@Morgenstern](#): > > Monitored means the system sends a message to a center where they call the appropriate resources. Stand alone is like a burglar alarm on a car. One is a system with an initial capital outlay with no monthly bills except your own maintenance and you can add to it, upgrade it, or modify it to your own needs. Its like having a lawn that you cut & rake & weed yourself. A monitored system is one where the company may spread (or even ignore) the initial cost & installation, but you will Always have a monthly bill and the set up may be standardized. The stand alone is useless if no one is home & if you have neighbors who don’t give a damn. The monitored has a better system in place to handle alarms and false alarms, but lots of people work for them & they may have a high turn-over rate over time. Those people might be trained in exactly what the standard set up is and how know how to defeat it best. If I could offer advice, I’d say talk to a cop in your town, talk to your local lock-smith, and talk to your neighbors to see what other people are doing & what works (or doesn’t) where you live. Also, before you commit to a dog, ask yourself if you have the discipline to walk & feed & blue-baggy the poop dropped by him/her regularly. Can you commit taking him/her with you on day trips, or cut your trips short so you don’t come home to a mess? Research vet costs (they do have health plans for dogs, but they are not cheap). Find a full listing of hotels where you like to take vacations that accept dogs and what they offer in services and what they charge. Also, you should research what it costs for a week at 2-3 different kennels where you live because international vacations do happen. Lastly, while Google is your friend; fear isn’t. Promise us you won’t make bad decisions based on fear alone please. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393/20 "2015-06-25T03:31:45Z")
Dogs don’t deter burglars because of their size and teeth. They deter burglars because they make a lot of noise. A nervous chichuahua can be as good for home protection as a rottweiler. A burglar approaches your house. The dog starts barking. The burglar knows anyone inside the house if now awake and alerted. So the burglar moves down the street to rob another house. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-were-robbed-last-night-please-recommend-a-security-system/723393.md?page=2)