From: Heather and Chris Gasda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 20:42:47 -0800 (PST)
We set it off accidentally a few times before (yeah, we're dumb that way) [...] I do resent paying the city $35 a year for the "privilege" of having an alarm system when apparently an alarm is a low priority for the cops. I had a neighbor with an alarm system, and at one point they set off a bunch of false alarms. The police responded very quickly to the first alarm, less quickly to the second. By the tenth, they might drive by if they were in the area and had nothing better to do. The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and all that. For that matter, the first time it went off when they were away, I called them at their hotel. The second time, I just rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. After several false alarms, the alarm is almost useless, because the cops and the neighbors just treat it as a nuisance. I wouldn't be surprised if home burglar alarms trigger 100 false alarms for every real one. Everyone triggers some false alarms, and there are people who trigger them almost daily. Personally, I think that alarms shouldn't call the cops. They should call the alarm company, who sends out a security guard. You get the response time that you pay for, and if you want to pay for fast responses to false alarms, I'm sure that there are lots of companies that are happy to take your money. I'd be happy, because my tax dollars wouldn't be paying for your false alarms. You'd be happy, because you'd get fast response to every alarm. The alarm company could hire lots of security guards. Sounds like a great solution all around, except that instead of paying $35 a year, you'd be paying the actual cost of the service that you are getting. And don't even get me started on car alarms. --- Chip ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
