Chris Wilcox of the Bermuda Police Crime Prevention Unit.

The subject of this article is intruder alarm systems.

Currently there are some 3,000 such systems installed in private homes and businesses in Bermuda, that are monitored 24 hours around the clock by central stations. In a given year Police respond to between 1,500 and 2,000 alarm activations, over ninety five percent of which are false in nature.

So, is an alarm system a necessity in this day and age or is it simply a luxury? For some people and certain businesses, an alarm system is essential -- for example, high-risk properties such as banks, pharmacies and various Government facilities.

On the other hand many people have bought a system for their home in the expectation that it would solve all their security problems. Not so! An alarm system should be regarded as a form of back-up security -- it should not be your primary or only means of protection.

The Crime Prevention Unit advocates that you first concentrate on making your home or business physically secure, then, depending upon your situation or needs, consider purchasing an alarm system for added protection or back-up security.

The principle problems which Police encounter with alarm systems usually involve subscribers who are unfamiliar with their own systems, confusion within businesses about who is responsible for arming and disarming their system(s) and the failure of most subscribers to regularly test their alarms.

Today's story illustrates just one such problem.

Several years ago a friend of mine, let us call him Mr. Dee, lost his old dog Tramp. The house did not seem right without a dog, and so he brought home a new puppy, which he called Oreo. Shortly afterward he decided to purchase an intruder alarm system for his house, even though he had some doubts at that time as to whether or not it was a wise decision.

After the system was installed and up and running, a technician from the central (monitoring) station called Mr. Dee and asked him what password he would like to use in the event of a test call or false alarm. Instinctively Mr. Dee replied "Oreo'', the name of his new puppy. About a week later Mr.

Dee returned home after a particularly draining day at work. After letting himself inside, he promptly collapsed into his favourite armchair. A minute later he sat up with a bolt! He rushed over to the telephone and called the central station.

"This is Mr. Dee,'' he said. "I've just come home and I've forgotten to turn off my alarm system. Don't spend the Police''.

"Okay, what is your address and alarm number Sir? And Mr. Dee'', she replied.

"What is your password?'' "Tramp'' he quickly said, and the operator replied "fine'' and she promptly hung up.

Two minutes later Mr. Dee was shocked to see two Police cars racing into his yard, with their red and blue lights flashing! Somewhat annoyed, he immediately telephoned the central station again.

"I told you not to send the Police,'' he said to the operator.

"Yes, Mr. Dee,'' she replied. "But you gave me the wrong password!'' Reflecting upon the incident later that evening, Mr. Dee concluded that his alarm system was perhaps a good investment after all -- if he could only operator it properly! Alarm system basically fall into two categories, those which are linked to central stations and which are monitored around the clock, and those which are not. This article and the advice contained herein, is concerned solely with the former.

Only Police Approved Alarm Companies may install intruder alarm systems which are linked to central stations and which may require Police response in the event of an activation. The Police Crime Prevention Unit can provide you with an up to date list of such companies.

Today's sophisticated systems can incorporate a wide variety of detection devices, including heat and motion sensors, infra-red beams, panic and medic alerts, as well as smoke detectors, and all of these can be incorporated into a single system.

Such systems are very flexible and can be designed to suite your particular needs. For example, you may have pets or small children, or it may be important that your premises can be divided into zones (to allow people to move about freely in some areas, whilst other areas remain off limits and protected by your alarm sensors). If you are seriously considering the purchase of an alarm, I recommend that you contact three approved alarm companies and invite each one to provide you with a free quotation to install a system.

It is incumbent upon you to tell the alarm companies what your particular requirements are, and it goes without saying that you should compare their quotations and equipment specifications. Keep in mind that in addition to the overall cost of the equipment and installation, you will also incur a monthly monitoring fee. Fees are usually based upon the amount and type of equipment that is being monitored and start from $25 per month for a panic button.

For further information about intruder alarm systems, contact the Police Crime Prevention Unit or those alarm companies listed under the heading `Security Services' in the Yellow Pages of the telephone director.

Locked out -- the house sitter's dilemma! Matching the right locks with the right doors.

In closing I would again invite you to contact the Police Crime Prevention Unit, telephone number 299-4286, if you require advice on any crime prevention matter. All services of the Unit are free of charge and officers will visit your home or business upon request to conduct a security review of your premises.