Do Residential Alarm Systems Deter Crime?

As a leading Atlanta alarm company, we like to make the statistical case, as well as the practical, for homeowners to invest in residential alarm systems. While it’s common sense that having a burglar alarm installed in your home will deter potential intruders and alert the police when your house is broken into, some may wonder whether there is any data to prove the effectiveness of these products.

A 2009 study by researchers at Rutgers University indicates that there is statistical evidence for the success of these systems in deterring crime. Using data provided by the Newark, New Jersey police department, the report found that an increase in burglar alarm installations coincided with a decrease in the crime rate from 2001 to 2005. Not surprisingly, the presence of an alarm, as indicated by a sign posted in front of the home or the visibility of motion detectors both inside and outside of the house, made the domicile less attractive to robbers.

The study also found that these crimes were not “displaced”, meaning that burglars didn’t simply move to other homes in the neighborhood to commit crimes. The research team found that the overall crime rate in a neighborhood decreased as more homeowners installed alarm systems.

In other words, by having a residential burglar alarm installed by an Atlanta alarm company, not only will you be protecting your family and possessions, you’ll also be contributing to the improvement of your neighborhood, making it safer for everyone. For more information on the alarm solutions available to you, contact American Alarm at (770) 645-0061.