topic Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft? in Community Chat

Home security signs - do they deter theft?

morganjen — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:23:57 GMT

I see several houses along our street with home security signs next to their houses. I've often wondered if that makes a thief think there must be something valuable in that house and more likely to strike. Does it somehow make a house more of a target?

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

missy1 — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:30:09 GMT

Many people buy those signs on-line, but have no security system, OR they take them from someone else's yard.

I would think no. It doesn't deter them.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

Biftu — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:40:13 GMT

Years ago I saw a TV show where professional thiefs were interviewed about security systems. The thief said that he was always glad to see a sign in front of the house showing what system they had. He claimed professional robbers are aware of how to disarm certain systems and if it is advertised on the lawn it helps them know which system they need to disarm. He said they were able to disalarm it quickly, complete the robbery and be out in less than a few minutes, long before police could arrive. This is at least how professionals work, not sure about petty thiefs.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

qvcfreak — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:41:09 GMT

We've always had a house alarm and I don't put up the stickers or the yard sign. We had a couple attempted break ins in our previous home but the alarm sound chased them away.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

QueenDanceALot — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:43:10 GMT

I would think that a thief, if given 2 houses to choose from, one with a security sign and one without, would go for the one without first.

But I'm not a thief, so..........

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

jaxs mom — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:44:27 GMT

I think my german shepherd is the best home security system and she has her own call sign, her bark HAHA.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

CoffeeNut — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:18:43 GMT

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

Desertdi — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:50:48 GMT

It may "scare" some youthful vandals..........but nothing deters a professional burglar.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

silkyk — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:52:24 GMT

@jaxs mom wrote:
I think my german shepherd is the best home security system and she has her own call sign, her bark HAHA.

LOL! My tiny Silky Terriers issue a deadly warning to anyone foolish enough to mess with us. They bark their fool heads off if they think somethin' ain't right and I pay attention. I've heard crooks avoid homes with barky dogs....much easier to hit a home that's quiet.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

QueenDanceALot — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:53:34 GMT

wouldn't a thief want to go the path of least resistance?

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

SilleeMee — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:56:16 GMT

I put up some fake surveillance cameras. One time there was some suspicious activity in the immediate area and a policeman came to my house and said that if they needed to they could request my video recordings... Told them right away that my cameras were fake and he just chuckled and left.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

athenian — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:59:44 GMT

I read a study years ago, no idea where, that security systems do deter theft. Even the signs with no system, or fake video cameras help. But the best deterrent was a barking dog.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

SilleeMee — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:03:21 GMT

My sweet golden girl never barks. If the thieves came in she would lead them to the kitchen where the food is! LOL!

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

SoX — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:17:47 GMT

We have an alarm system, but never use signs. The system is digital. The noise alone is enough to wake the entire block with both and indoor and outdoor alarms.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

hckynut — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 15:52:16 GMT

Beats me when it comes to security signs. Took it down when our security was ended to save money I see as wasted. That type of security is "reactive(after the event)", I prefer being proactive "preventing the event.

My sign saying: Not a Gun Free Zone I believe works better than any security company sign. So far I haven't had to enforce it, but in this world now? One never knows.

hnj

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

goldensrbest — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:02:56 GMT

I do have a security system, i like it alot, however someone stole my sign.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

chickenbutt — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:03:43 GMT

They do. When we had our security system installed my husband went a little crazy and was putting the signs everywhere and the stickers on every window. YIKES! I had to ask him to dial back on that a bit. It's always all or nothing with him!

But it's a proven fact that, as another poster mentioned, given one house with a security system and one house without any indication of a security system, the thief will choose the one without.

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

Shorty2U — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:14:30 GMT

I don't think the security signs deter robberies (but the security systems themselves do).

I agree about a dog. If I were a burglar I wouldn't attempt to go in a house with a dog and I wish I still could have a dog but my DH is deathly allergic to dogs :-( And no we cant even have a hypo allergenic dog, because there are too many breeds so allergy shots for dog allergies do not work for my husband. (He is allergic to their saliva according to his allergist). PS hes also allergic to cats (And 10 other things!) but allergy shots work for our kitties.

But, anyway, my daughter has 3 dogs and worries about robberies when her husband is out of town for work, and I tell her all the time no one is going to come in her house with 3 dogs barking!

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

silkyk — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:44:44 GMT

Re: Home security signs - do they deter theft?

gardenman — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:29:14 GMT

Nothing stops a real pro, not even dogs. They won't hit a house while anyone's home so the gun isn't a deterrent to them. They'll bring food, treats, a female dog in heat, pepper/bear spray, etc. to distract a dog or dogs. They'll scout the house beforehand and know where their target is. Alarms are no deterrent as they can often videotape homeowners coming and going and see their keypad as they enter their code. If the homeowner uses a remote to activate/deactivate the alarm they'll clone it. There are invisible sprays they can use on a keypad and see which keys you touched when they shine a blacklight on it. Surveillance cameras aren't a big deterrent as they'll find the DVR the video goes to and take that with whatever else they came to steal. It's pretty much impossible to stop someone who really wants something you have. You can make it difficult, but stopping them is pretty much impossible.