Think your home is a fortress? Think again.
Walter T. Shaw, a one-time member of the Dinner Set Gang, the most infamous burglary ring in America, says there's never been a home he couldn't get into.

"There are weak spots everywhere," he says.

Shaw, a co-author of the book "A License to Steal" (a movie based on the book is in production) is now sharing his secrets.

Homeowners can use the help. According to the FBI and the Justice Department, home burglaries in the U.S. are up about 7% since 2000.

In 2009, those home break-ins netted thieves about $1.5 billion in stolen goods. The bulk -- more than $1 billion -- consisted of TVs, radios, computers, video-game systems and other electronic gadgets, the FBI says.

But Shaw, 63, a retired professional burglar who was never caught in the act but served 11 years in prison after a member of his gang turned him in, says a few tweaks here and changes there will fortify your fortress, making it much harder for burglars to get in.
Stop blabbing
"Americans tend to tell everyone they're going on vacation, a weekend getaway or a business trip," Shaw says.

And chances are you've told the person cutting your hair, standing next to you on the sidelines of your kid's soccer game, bagging your groceries, cleaning your carpet or changing the oil in your car that you're heading out of town. Shaw has sage advice: Shut up.

"Stop treating strangers like they're you're best friend," says Shaw, who was in the burglary "business" from 1969 to the late 1980s.

He says thieves have informants everywhere. In fact, some of Shaw's best tipsters were carpet installers, hairstylists and bank workers. "These folks were often told about a customer's upcoming trip and gave us the details, making it very easy to plan our 'visit' to the house," he says.
Protect your rear
Whether it's for show or you truly are monitoring your property, it's common to plant a sign in the front yard warning that your home is protected by a security system, or to stick a decal on a few windows in the front of your house, just in case a would-be burglar is strolling by.

Shaw says homeowners often forget that thieves typically case out -- and enter from -- the back of the house.

"Adding those decals and signs to rear flower beds, doors and windows might make a thief think twice about finding out whether there really is an alarm or not," Shaw says. "The No. 1 way into a home is through the French doors or sliding doors in the back."

Shaw says he and his crew always came in through the back and left that way, too. "The police come from the front. So I go via the back to avoid running into them."

Speaking of alarms, Shaw says homeowners should activate them at all times, even when they're home.

"Homeowners don't turn their alarms on when they're at home, which is nuts. Why wouldn't you want that safety, since many burglars will rob you even if you are home? In fact, 90% of the homes we went into had alarm systems that weren't on."
Don't underestimate daylight
Bright sunlight offers homeowners a warm sense of security. After all, daylight makes it easy to spot someone entering your home through a window or busting down a door, right?

Shaw says sure, but that's not the way most thieves get in. In fact, a pro can get into your home in less than 30 seconds and do so without making a lot of noise or creating a ruckus.

"Thieves are doing more and more day jobs than ever before, because that's when homes are empty. Usually men are at work, and if a woman isn't also working outside the home, she's at the grocery store, running kids around town, doing errands and other things that take her away from the home," Shaw says.

"That makes daytime jobs preferable because there's a great chance no one is home."
Fix your doorbell
If your doorbell or buzzer is broken, how can you hear a thief posing as a solicitor at your door -- especially when you're upstairs or in the basement?

Shaw says burglars ring doorbells to see if anyone is home.

"Thieves, especially desperate ones who are junkies looking for something to sell to fund a fix, love to go through the motions of getting solicitor's permits -- or faking them -- to case out neighborhoods and see who's home during the day," Shaw says.

If you don't answer because you don't know someone is at the door, you may run into an unwelcome visitor in your home who thought you weren't there.

"An empty house is an inviting one to a crook," Shaw says.
Don't believe Hollywood
Makers of movies and TV shows have it all wrong, Shaw says. Rarely do thieves don president-lookalike masks, pantyhose, face coverings or clown suits to pull a job. And they generally don't wear gloves, either.

"Thieves are arrogant; they don't think they'll be caught. And they're not the least bit worried that a neighbor will be able to get a good enough look to give a description to the cops," Shaw says.

However, they do have an Achilles' heel. "They don't have the time -- or in many cases the talent -- to disable surveillance systems," Shaw says. "And they don't want video surveillance of them rummaging through your home winding up in the cops' hands or worse, on the evening news for their own neighbor to finger them."

Video surveillance systems are a crook's kryptonite. So make sure those alarm signs, stickers and placards you decorate your front and back yard with include the note that you have video surveillance equipment.

Shaw says burglars don't know where the feed is being recorded, so they're likely to pass right on by your home.

"The footage could be captured offsite, so the moment they enter the home, it's too late. They've been caught on candid camera," Shaw says.
Let your dog bark
A dog's bark -- not his bite -- is scary.But not the dogs you think.

Don't waste your time or money buying and training big, ferocious-looking attack dogs.

Score one for the cuddly faces of Bichons and other little dogs, because Shaw says it's the little yappers that send thieves running with their tails between their legs.

"Little yappy dogs are a huge turnoff. I would never go into a house that has one. They're a huge deterrent because they just don't stop barking and can be heard by neighbors or their owners if you're checking out the house a day before going in," Shaw says.

So give Fluffy a bone for keeping the house safe.
Your kitchen is a sanctuary
"I always kept my safe in the kitchen, because that's the absolute last place robbers go. I never went into a kitchen," Shaw says.

That's because kitchens are typically in the middle of the house, and going into them takes too much time and there are too many places to look for valuables in there. "We wanted to be in and out quickly," Shaw explains.

If the kitchen is the last place a thief will stop, what's the first? The master bedroom.

"That's the first place thieves go, because that's where the jewelry, smart phones and other electronics are kept," Shaw says.

So go stash your valuables inside cereal boxes and fake soup cans. That's the last place burglars will look, Shaw says.
They pick trash
It might seem convenient, but taking your trash out the night before trash day gives the bad guys time to see what you bought last week.

"People love to flaunt what they have. They toss the box from a new flat screen out on the curb and even throw bills and statements in the trash. That's asking to have your identity stolen and tells thieves you've got great electronics inside they can sell," Shaw says.

Even a new appliance tips off crooks that you have valuables. "If you can afford a new high-end washer, what other high-priced things are in your home?" he says.

Shaw says if you have anything delivered, make sure the company that brings it hauls everything away. "The same truck that delivers the new stove should haul away the box and packaging."
You're in control
Shaw says "little things" will protect homeowners. For instance, lock your doors and windows, don't let newspapers pile up when you're on vacation, and trim bushes so they don't become screens for thieves to hide behind.
"Robbers love it when homeowners forget to do the easy little things that make their jobs easy," Shaw says.

However, there are some simple steps people can take to keep their home from becoming a holiday target.
Security expert David Boehm spoke to CBS 2?s Don Dahler about some safety precautions.

“Homeowners should be checking all doors and all their locks on a regular basis to make sure they’re not coming loose,” Boehm said.
Boehm also said when it comes to package delivery, people should always request a signature be required for drop-off.
In addition, Boehm said it’s fine to have a Christmas tree in the window, but warned not to keep anything underneath it that could be visible to thieves.

“They like a sure thing. They want to make sure where they’re going that there will be a bounty for them to receive,” Boehm said.
Security systems can be an effective deterrent, but Ethan Blumenfeld of Advanced Security Systems said many people only use them at night. Blumenfeld said alarm systems should be on 24/7.

“You’re paying for it. It’s really a premium service and it’s another way to protect yourself,” he said.
Blumenfeld also recommended turning the television on when leaving the home.
“It gives the appearance that someone is home,” Blumenfeld said.

Blumenfeld also said people shouldn’t leave packaging or boxes of a new toy or gadget in trash outside the home.
Experts said thieves are patient and may case a home for days or even weeks before striking. With a little extra effort, however, homes can be kept safe and secure for the holidays.

“People don’t take those few extra minutes to look around and make sure their homes are secured. You have to step up and you have to make sure your home is secure,” Blumenfeld said.

Check for rotting window frames and replace if necessary. Secure every window in the house with a high security window lock. Consider security window bars if you think your windows could be smashed in order to gain entry.
General Security Around The Home
Use interior timers for your lamps. This will give the impression someone is at home.
Use a security safe for all your valuables or deposit them in a bank.
Keep firearms security locked in an appropriate firearms cupboard. This should be fitted with a trigger guard lock.
Keep an up to date inventory of all of your possessions.
Take digital photos of your possessions and valuables and burn the photos to DVD. Put the DVD in a bank safety deposit box.
Have emergency telephone numbers next to your telephone.
Make sure your whole family is aware of an evacuation procedure in the event of an emergency such as a fire.
Let trusted neighbor know that you are going on vacation so they can watch over your property.
Security mark all valuable items such as your computer, TV, Hi-Fi etc… with an appropriate identification mark as recognized by your local police.
Cancel deliveries and papers when on vacation and of course, activate your alarm system when leaving your property.

In today’s home security market, there are many home security products that are out there that claim to be the best. Security experts and police officials agree that a home security system that is monitored is probably the best deterrent for a burglary happening in the first place. When you have monitoring plus cutting edge technology protecting a home from break ins and home invasions, you have a superior home security system that offers multiple layers of protection.

The components of a successful home security system work together to provide protection and security for a home. The best home security systems will include the latest innovations in security technology which are highly sensitive to security breaches. This technology includes window and door sensors which can detect when they are open when the alarm system is armed. They can also detect if someone is trying to tamper with a lock, or trying to force a door open or break a window to gain entry. The sensors detect this and immediately set off a high decibel alarm and send a signal to the monitoring center that the security of your home has been breached. If the high decibel alarm has not frightened off the criminals, the monitor will immediately notify police and they will show up hopefully in time to apprehend the suspects and prevent the loss of valuables.

Other cutting edge technology that can be deployed in the home and around the property are smart motion detectors. These motion detectors can pick up any suspicious movements around the home or property and trigger the alarm as well as alert the monitoring center. What is so unique about these smart motion detectors is they can be pre-programmed so they can distinguish between small children and pets and a prowler. This cuts down on the incidences of false alarms and gives you peace of mind knowing that when a motion detector has picked up a suspicious movement, it will sound the alarm immediately. This is yet another layer of protection that works with the sensors and the monitoring to provide superior home security service.

The value of having multiple components working together with live monitoring cannot be underestimated. Many alarm systems have sensors and motion detectors but do not have live monitoring, so when an alarm goes off, you have to depend on neighbors to call the police. This puts you at risk of having your alarm dismissed and burglars getting away with your valuables. With live monitoring, you always know that your alarm will be responded to because the live monitoring is an essential component of the home security system. Live monitors spring into action the moment you alarm system is triggered and contact police who will show up to your location immediately to investigate the alarm.

With the marriage of human ingenuity and high technology, home security systems with live monitoring can provide around the clock protection for your home. In fact, these monitored home security systems can serve as a deterrent against crime from happening in the first place, because criminals are much less likely to break into a home that is protected by a monitored home security system.

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What do you want in a system?

With the advanced technology of today, home owners have many options for a home security alarm system. While fire and burglar systems are the most common, you can extend your needs to carbon monoxide detection, propane/gas leak detection, water sensors, and even video surveillance systems. Discuss your needs with an alarm expert and you will find they will be more than helpful in recommending components for home security that will protect you and your family.

What are some of the features you want?

While the home security company you choose will be able to go over some of the features they offer, you should have a detailed list of some of the features you require. Some of these features may include a back up system in case the power goes out or the telephone lines go out, a direct line of communication between the monitoring company and your home, and an immunity system so that your pets will not set off motion detectors.

What is your budget?

A home security alarm system can vary in cost from state-to-state. However, you should be able to get a basic system installed for under five-hundred dollars. You will need to know what your budget is for this project when you start your search for an alarm company. When you interview each company, they should set up a time to come to your home so they may provide to you a complete and detailed estimate of the cost of the system, as well as what the system would include. This estimate should be provided to you at no cost.

What alarm company should you use?
When you first start searching for alarm companies to set up a home security alarm system, you may find it somewhat confusing as there are a lot of different alarm companies and each claims to be the best. One of the best things you can do is ask your friends and family member what alarm company they use. Set up interviews with each one so you can make the best decision possible.

What questions should you ask?

Once you have set up an interview with each of the home security companies, you will want to make a list of questions you should ask them. The following are some examples for you to get started with.

How long have you been in business? It is always best to go with a home security company who has been in business for at least two years.

Can you give me any references? While you already have a reference from a friend or family member, it is always best to see how many of their customers would recommend them.

What type of certification do you require your employees to have? You will find most states require alarm system installers to have electrical licensing, however, you may want to ask if the company requires any further certifications from their employees.

Is your company UL certified? UL Certification is a certification from Underwriter's Laboratory. If a company is listed as UL Certified, it means they have met all of the qualification necessary. If a company is UL Certified, it may offer you further discounts on your homeowner's insurance.

How long will it take to get a security alarm set up in my home? Generally, you want a company to be available, but if they state they can install the next day, you may want to be weary of the company. You also do not want to enlist the assistance of a company that will take months.

Do you currently offer any discounts? Many alarm system companies will offer discounts if you use their monitoring services. Find out what type of discount they offer to their customers.

Will you provide me a letter for my insurance company? Most companies will automatically assume you will need a certificate for your insurance company, however, always ask if they will supply this to you.

What is your employee turnover rate? Generally, most people do not think this question necessary. However, if you are going to have someone come to your home to set up a security system, you want to make sure they are safe and have been with the company for a while.
Why should I have your company install a security system in my home? Take the time and listen to why they feel they should be the company you choose. If you get any sense at all that they are simply telling you what you want to hear, it is time to move on to another company.

What type of warranty do you offer and do you have an extended warranty plan? Most companies will offer the standard warranty on the parts. However, many will often offer an extended warranty for both parts and services. Find out the cost and what would be covered under their different
plans.

Are there any disadvantages of owning a security alarm system?

While a security alarm can offer many benefits, it can offer many disadvantages, as well. Many cities and towns will often charge the homeowner a fee if there are too many false alarms reported from your home. You may find yourself setting off the alarm by accident and disturbing the neighbors with the sirens that are installed. Only you can judge for yourself whether or not the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

What else should I know before I put an alarm system in my home?

The most important thing you should understand is that a home security system can save your family's life in an emergency situation. When you set up your system, you will want to make sure it is monitored through a central monitoring station and provide them with a list of contacts they can reach in an emergency situation when you can not be contacted. Just make certain you provide at least one person on your contact list with a key to your home, as well as a security code to get in.

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Consumer Reports says forgetting to lock the inside door and leaving valuables in plain sight make a home more of a target. Experts say many burglars kick in a door to break into a home.

Consumer Reports says the door itself isn't usually the weak spot. Instead, they say the problem is that the lock strikes are held by 3/4 inch screws. They aren't long enough to go into the main beam of the building. So when you kick in the door, it just breaks away the wood.

You can strengthen any exterior door by using a metal, reinforced box strike. They're about $10 at most hardware stores. If you install them using three-inch screws, they'll go into the framing beyond the doorjamb.

You can also make your home more secure by lodging a pole against your sliding glass doors, and by having good outdoor lighting installed high up so that it can't easily be disabled.

If you have the money to install an alarm, Consumer Reports suggests a system that includes sensors throughout your home, not just on doors and windows.

Seth Little thought the valuables in his Northeast Tacoma house were safe from burglars – until two weeks ago.
He has a security system that sounds an alarm if a burglar enters through exterior doors. A handsome wooden fence completely surrounds his corner house. He locks jewelry and cash in a heavy-duty, 4-foot-tall gun safe.

Yet despite all of his precautions, one or more thieves slipped into his home during daylight while he and his wife, Melody, were at work Nov. 5. The burglar crawled through a window, took a camcorder with the last footage of Melody’s recently deceased father and broke into their safe, stealing the life savings of Seth’s father. His dad didn’t believe in banks.

“I thought I was on top of my game,” said Little, 32. “Even though I felt secure I wasn’t. I had more precautions than most people and still got whacked.”

A new City of Tacoma crime prevention program aims to help people from sharing Little’s fate.
At homeowners’ request, crime prevention specialists and trained volunteers who’ve undergone criminal background checks visit homes in Tacoma, walk through the property and recommend ways to make them more secure by incorporating environmental design principles. The service, launched in September, is part of the Tacoma CARES Program, a comprehensive initiative to reduce crime and clean up neighborhoods.

All Tacoma residents have to do is set up an appointment; it’s free.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department recently started a similar program, as well, for residents in unincorporated Pierce County. Volunteers who conduct the home security audits have undergone criminal background checks and received training from the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission, said Judi Holley, the sheriff’s crime prevention coordinator.

“We had a rash of burglaries and realized we needed to help people prepare their homes so they’re not victims,” Holley said. Last summer, thieves were stealing Wii game consoles and purses that residents left in plain view of windows when they were gone. Sometimes people were home but didn’t notice burglars slipping through open windows and doors.

Renters and homeowners alike need the information. “Crime prevention is 80 percent information and education and 20 percent instinct,” Holley said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing to attract criminals, your instincts won’t be very good.”
The county and Tacoma programs emphasize low-cost steps that residents can do themselves.
“You can do a whole lot of home security for under $20,” said Audrey Hornbuckle, coordinator of Tacoma’s Crime Free Programs. “There’s a lot you can do with a drill and bag of screws.”

Though no place is impenetrable, homes can be made secure enough to cause a burglar to bypass the house in favor of an easier target or made so tough to enter that breaking in will require noise and a chunk of time.
And as crime prevention specialists say, a burglar’s three worst enemies are light, time and noise.

Last week, Hornbuckle and Tacoma Police community liaison officer Helen Stieben visited Seth Little’s house for a security audit. They peered through windows, inspected doors, walked through the home and looked at its layout in relation to the street.
Stieben mentioned Northeast Tacoma has been plagued by break-ins pulled off by teens trying to get money to buy OxyContin.
Hornbuckle was pleased to see gravel as landscaping next to the house; it crunches when people step on it, alerting residents someone is outside. But she showed Little how easy it was to lift sliding windows from their frame – and how to prevent that by installing screws or lowering the track at the top of window frames. She advised installing a deadbolt and peephole in the door between the garage and house. Planting thorny plants such as roses, holly or Oregon grape under windows could help deter crooks.

They noted that since the house has the tall wooden fence, it could shield burglars from the view of neighbors; Little said that since the burglary, he’s been leaving a gate open to allow neighbors and passers-by to see inside the yard.
Little said he appreciated the recommendations. He’s been obsessed with how to make the house more secure ever since the burglary. He and his wife worry thieves will return.

“I couldn’t sleep the first night. There’s such a sense of violation to your privacy. Then there’s the guilt of losing my dad’s savings,” Little said. His insurance didn’t cover the theft of cash.

The same day as the security survey, Little’s security company installed movement sensors on his home’s windows and a light that will flash above his garage door during a break-in. Little said when he got the system two years ago he had sensors installed only on the doors because buying the hardware and paying for installation would have cost at least $230 for each of the seven windows.
After the burglary, he also called the business in King County that sold him his safe. The company said he probably hadn’t turned the dial enough times to clear the combination, allowing the burglar to open the safe with a simple turn.

“Hindsight is 20/20,” he said with a sigh.
Doug Jones, general manager at Robblees Total Security in Tacoma, told The News Tribune that while dial locks vary, people can generally clear the safe combination by closing the safe door, locking the handle and turning the dial at least two turns counterclockwise.

Little hopes other people will benefit from his nightmare.
“We want to be proactive and teach people these things so this won’t happen to them,” he said. “I learned a very expensive lesson.”

1. High-efficiency lights with a photo cell or timer discourage unwelcome guests from approaching the walkway or front door.

2. To prevent thieves from lifting or opening sliding windows or sliding doors, insert flathead screws in the upper track of frames. Install removable pins in frames to hold windows and doors in place. Wedge security bars or wooden dowels in track of frames.

3. Secure exterior doors with all-metal deadbolt locks. Single-cylinder deadbolts are safest for homes. The deadbolt throw (the lock’s moveable piece) should go at least 1 inch into the door frame. Use 3- or 4-inch wood screws to affix strike plate.

4. Install security lights with a motion or photo cell detector to light the side and rear of the house. Post “beware” decals if you have an alarm system or have inventoried belongings.

5. Chain link or transparent fencing, or wood fences raised 10 inches above ground, help eliminate hiding places for burglars.

6. Exterior doors should be metal or solid-core wood. Glass in or next to doors should be strengthened with unbreakable plastic material or security film.

7. Securely lock garage doors. Install a solid wood or metal door, peephole and deadbolt, between the house and attached garage for security and fire safety.

8. Thieves know they might not get inside a home when occupants can see them before opening the door. If doors don’t have windows, install a peephole with a wide angle 180-degree lens, one at adult level and one at child height.

9. Metal grills across window frames prevent basement break-ins. Grills should have a quick-release mechanism on the interior side to allow for easy exit during a fire.

10. Plants shouldn’t obscure windows or provide hiding spots. Trim shrubs below window sill level. Clear trees of limbs from the ground up to 7 feet.

TIPS TO THWART THIEVES
Burglars abhor light, don’t want to make noise and like quick getaways. Practice these home security tips that incorporate thieves’ unfavorite things.

Noisy landscaping: Use gravel or lava rock instead of beauty bark next to the house. People walking on the gravel make a crunching noise, alerting residents that someone is on the property.

Lighting: Keep lights on all night on the porch and around the garage. Inside the house, leave on a hallway light.
Make it look like someone is home, even when you’re gone: Use timers to turn lights on and off at different times. Leave a radio on and tuned to a news channel or talk show. Remember, most residential burglars strike during the day on weekdays.
“People want to steal your stuff and don’t want to get caught. They won’t come in at 1 in the morning when you’re asleep,” Hornbuckle said.

Alarm systems: Consider individual circumstances in deciding whether to buy one. Retirees and others who are home most of the time may not need one, while people who consistently leave and return at the same time might. Older models of motion-detecting alarms may not be good at differentiating between people and cats. Some jurisdictions charge a false alarm fee if police go to a residence where an alarm was accidentally set. In Tacoma, the charge is $60.
“Everyone has to do their own homework because every location is different,” said Judi Holley, crime prevention coordinator for the Pierce County Sheriff. “Someone in Orting might want a different system than someone in South Hill.”
Strangers at the door: Adults are the worst offenders when it comes to answering the door to strangers, Hornbuckle says. Don’t open the door to strangers, not even salesmen or women, unless you want to buy something. Don’t be afraid of shouting through the closed door to say you’re not interested.

Theft for the holidays: Don’t leave the cardboard box for the 50-inch plasma screen TV or the container for any other large appliance or electronics outside your home. It advertises the newest toy to steal in your house.
Track your stuff: Keep an inventory of your property, especially electronics. List serial numbers, model numbers and brands. Take a photo of items, and keep it in a safe place. If stolen belongings are recovered, the ability to prove ownership improves chances of getting them back, Hornbuckle says.

Addresses: Make sure address numbers are at least 5 or 6 inches tall and painted a contrasting color to show up on your house or apartment. If your home faces an alley, post your address on the alley side, too. Emergency response can be delayed if your address isn’t visible.

Think like a crook: Don’t leave your purse and valuables unattended on the counter or table, even when you’re at home, advises Holley. Summertime thieves have been known to walk through open doors or slip through windows and steal Wii game consoles and other prized belongings. When you’re gone, put the items out of sight and close blinds and curtains, and lock windows and doors.

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Homeowners anxious about crime during the gift-giving season are turning to new security technology.
But these days, the latest in home security isn't as much about busting robbers as it is about knowing what's happening in your home 24/7.

For years, traditional security systems called on homeowners to arm and disarm their alarms and pay $30 to $40 a month for call-center monitoring. It was really a type of homeowner's insurance, says Alison Slavin, vice president of product management with Alarm.com. When something triggered the alarm, a live operator called the house.

Today's security systems go beyond that, Slavin said. Wireless communications, motion-sensitive surveillance cameras and cellphone system control have upped the ante for homeowners wanting to make sure their property is safe and sound.
A homeowner might, for instance, receive a text message when kids get home from school or a package has been delivered at the front door. Live video from the home also is viewable on iPhones, BlackBerrys or the Internet.

"We have customers who want to know every time their garage door opens between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.," says Richard Ginsburg, CEO of Protection One, the third-largest security alarm company in the country. "Home security is very customizable today."
Home-security devices:

• Intelligent by design. ArcherFish by Cernium is a video-surveillance system that combines detection with verification. Users can remotely view live or recorded video through a Web-based portal and design the system to send text-message alerts. The video is equipped with motion-detection technology. The $1,699 kit includes a smart box, two cameras and two cables, and is expandable to up to four cameras.

• Helpful and handheld. The eSecure from Protection One is a wireless remote video-surveillance system that allows users to disarm their systems using text-message commands. Cameras use encryption technology for secure online video access. Asset-protection sensors monitor specific expensive items. Prices start at $149 for installation, $150 for sensors; then $15 a month for monitoring. • Wireless ease. Alarm.com lets users remotely monitor nonalarm activity, even when the system is disarmed, either online or through smartphone applications. The system doesn't require a phone line or Internet connection to communicate signals to the monitoring center. Users also receive real-time e-mail and text-message alerts. Initial installation is $200 to $300; monthly monitoring fees are $37-$49.

• Streaming video. Logitech's digital video-security camera is easy to install. Simply load the software onto a computer, connect the receiver and place the camera in a desired location. The camera transmits video through the property's existing electrical wiring. The master system includes one camera, the PC software and a receiver module for $299. Up to five cameras can be added at an additional $229 per camera.

• Network solution. The Telguard Digital line of wireless communicators works with existing alarm and fire-panel systems, transmitting data to central stations using the GSM digital cellular network. It is compatible with virtually all alarm-panel technology, and Telular works with 4,000 other security companies. Prices vary.

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There was a time when packing up and moving to the suburbs was the thing to do to ensure a peaceful, tranquil, crime-free environment to raise a family. Those days seem to be a thing of the past.
The suburbs are no longer immune to crime. Just this past year alone, there have been numerous car burglaries, home invasions, drive-way muggings and bank robberies in Sugar Land , the city that was recently ranked fifth on the list of Safest Cities in the United States.

For too long suburbanites have had their 'guards down' - such as, leaving front doors unlocked and home alarms disabled - a false sense of security. This relaxed way of living, and thinking that crime only happens to others, makes you the perfect target to criminals.
The Missouri City Police Department offers these crime prevention tips:

1. Lock out crime. Keep your garage doors down and the doors to your home and vehicle locked.
2. Sensor and/or other strategically placed lighting is always a "bright" idea.
3. Shrubbery should be trimmed below window level and the pricklier the foliage, the better for you!
4. Know who your neighbors are and what cars they drive. Being this kind of "nosy" neighbor may keep them and you safe.
5. If you walk or run at night, wear white or light colored clothing. Reflective tape or reflective garments are a great addition to your workout wardrobe. Also, tell family members your route and always carry identification with you - and, if possible, carry a cell phone.
6. While away for extended periods, set timers to turn lights on at the end of the day.
7. While away on vacation, or a business trip, have someone pick up your papers or have the service interrupted while you are away.
8. When using 9-1-1, be calm. Be clear and concise with information and facts. This will help the police a great deal.
9. Program 9-1-1 into your cell phone so that if you are involved in an accident it will be easier to call for assistance. Be aware of where you are at all times because your cell phone does not give an address on 9-1-1 screens.
10. When going to your vehicle in a parking lot or other location, always have your keys ready. Be aware of your surroundings and who might be around. Have a companion and look under your car and in the backseat before entering.

*These safeguards can prevent you from becoming a victim of crime and maybe even save your life!