One Canadian research study found residences with alarm systems are 9.25 times less likely to have a break-in. In particular, it found a break and enter rate of 37 per 1,000 non-alarmed premises versus four per 1,000 on alarmed premises.

The basics
“A basic security system will consist of both perimeter and space protection to secure your premise,” advises the Canadian Security Association. “The first stage secures vulnerable perimeter access points such as doors and windows; the second stage consists of space detection such as interior motion detectors which monitor movement inside the premises.”

The national voice of the electronic security industry, the Canadian Security Association, has a membership of more than 1,170 companies including security system installation professionals, monitoring stations, manufacturers, distributors, consultants, agents, corporate security personnel and guard response companies.

Calgary company Smart Home Systems offers a full range of security systems services from the very basic to elaborate. “For us, we use the GE system because it integrates easily with our automation systems,” says Ron Patrick, owner, Smart Home Systems. The company’s Calgary customers invest security system budgets of  $1,000 to $350,000.

Smart Home Systems designs custom electronic systems, lighting automation, security systems and interior design. In 1990, Patrick established Smart Home Systems, which built Canada’s first automated “Smart House” in Calgary.

Trends
“(In Calgary), security has gone from a basic burglar alarm system to a sophisticated computer-based integrated system that has camera surveillance and biometric enabled access systems and all safety systems such as burglar, fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, freeze, heat etc,” explains Patrick. “Cost has typically come down in the last few years making it available to more consumers.”

He says equipment manufacturers have incorporated web-enabled features to most security systems, extending the products’ offerings. “Along with Internet features come Internet issues, such as security on the Web and file corruption,” says Patrick.

Telsco Alarm Systems, Edmonton’s largest privately-owned full service security company, has approximately 10,000 customers in the capital city. “Ten or 15 years ago, people were excited about alarm security systems.  They didn’t know about them and wanted them then,” explains owner Bill Lazaruk. “It reached its peak five years ago. People aren’t excited about security now. The majority has security systems and they’re knowledgeable.”

The company’s most popular security alarm package is the expandable First Alert 168C unit for $349, which includes a full alpha keyboard, eight hard-wired zones, forty expansion zones and the ability to partition your system. Its “bare bones” package, the First Alert 148C starts at $199 for control panel, LED keypad, power accessory kit, two door contacts, two standard motion detectors, one indoor siren, premise and yard signage. For an additional $23 per month, customers can purchase basic monitoring of their security system.

Increasingly, Telsco Alarm Systems has been installing residential video systems with security, starting at $10,000. Customers can access their video systems by pulling them up on the Internet. “The million-dollar and up homes all have video surveillance of some kind,” says Lazaruk. “While the under million dollar homes have burglary alarm systems.”

“Alarm systems are almost becoming standard in homes.  People are more security conscious, especially in Alberta. A lot of people are coming into the province. They have more money to spend. (With full employment), people are out working and not home.” NL

What is a monitoring station?
Alarm systems may be connected via a common carrier network (telephone lines) to a monitoring station. These stations dispatch the appropriate response authority (police, private guard, fire, medical) when the system transmits a signal. The monitored system might also emit a local siren when activated. The system can be monitored 24 hrs. by a monitoring station, a service offered by alarm installation companies for nominal monthly fees. Many installers subcontract with a third-party monitoring facility.

Wireless vs. hard-wired systems?
Alarm systems are either hard-wired or wireless. With hard-wired systems, a wire connects each device to a central control panel.  While a wireless system operates on batteries, with no wires and transmits its signal by radio frequency.

ON THE WEB
For more information on home security in Alberta, check out these sites:
www.albertacrimeprevention.com
Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association
www.calgarypolice.ca
Calgary Police Service
www.calgaryblockwatch.com
Calgary Block Watch Council
www.police.edmonton.ab.ca
Edmonton Police Service

For more information:
www.canasa.org
www.smarthomesystems.com
www.telsco.com