| Located in the westernmost part of the Florida Panhandle and on the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Pensacola is home to around 52,000 residents. Although they might love the proximity to the beach, many of the residents are going to be concerned with the safety of their belongings. The city does have a high amount of crime, meaning many residents are going to want to consider purchasing a home security system for their home. Why is a Security System a Good Idea? Pensacola has a significant amount of crime throughout the city and, as such, there’s a high chance a resident will be the victim of a property crime at some point. It’s important for people to understand this and to take the proper precautions to protect their home and their belongings. A homeowner can invest in better locks for their home, make sure to bring in any belongings at night or when they leave, and take other steps to protect their home, but nothing does more to protect a home than a security system. What is the Crime Like in the City? The crime index for Pensacola is 5, meaning 95% of the cities in the United States are safer than this city. There are typically around 2,500 property crimes per year in the city, which separates into 435 burglaries, 1,953 thefts, and 120 motor vehicle thefts. In Florida, a person has a one in 36 chance of being a property crime victim, but in Pensacola, the number rises to one in 21. This is a significantly high number and means that a homeowner will likely know someone who has been the victim of a property crime. How Can a Person Tell How Safe Their Home Is? A person should consider what a criminal is going to look for to determine if they’re going to break into a home. A security system means around 60% of criminals are going to look for a different home. Most criminals are looking for the easiest way to steal something and the lowest chance they’ll be caught. This means a home with secure locks on the doors and windows will be far safer than one where the windows are left open while the homeowner is away or where the front door lock doesn’t work well. It also means that criminals will likely not choose a home with a light over the front door as it increases the chance they’ll be caught as they try to enter the home. The homeowner should inspect their property to see if there’s anything easy to steal around the home and ensure all belongings are secured or brought inside at night and while they’re away from the home. They should also check to be sure all of the doors and windows lock securely and that it is easy to see the doors and the bottoms of the windows from the street to raise the chance of someone spotting a criminal trying to enter their home. What are the Main Options for a Security System? Many homeowners in Pensacola are going to opt for a security system to increase the security of their home. Typically, they’re going to want to choose between a monitored security system and a DIY, or do-it-yourself, security system. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so a homeowner will want to check all of their options and look at what they need for their home to be as secure as possible. What are the Pros and Cons for a DIY Security System? A DIY security system is one the homeowner can design and install on their own. This offers the homeowner a huge number of options and they won’t need to stick with just one brand for their equipment as many brands can work together easily. They can make it as simple or complex as they would like. Many homeowners who choose this option will install cameras they can view from their smartphone to make it easier to keep an eye on their home. With these security systems, the homeowner does need to choose all of the components on their own and will need to install everything on their own. This can amount to quite a bit of work. They will also need to ensure they have a way to monitor the system through notifications to their smartphone so they can contact the police quickly if anything happens. What are the Pros and Cons for a Monitored Security System? Monitored security systems are monitored by a dispatch center that can contact law enforcement if an alarm goes off. This means the homeowner doesn’t have to monitor the system on their own. The system will also be installed and tested by a professional to ensure it works properly. The homeowner will often have a variety of packages to choose from so they can find the one that meets their needs. Although this is an excellent option for many homeowners, it’s important to note that the homeowner will likely be committed to the brands offered by the company they choose. This is not always a con, but it can be. Additionally, the homeowner will have to pay a monthly service fee for having their security system monitored. This is typically a small fee, but it is something to be aware of. Looking at the statistics for Pensacola, it’s easy to see why many residents are wondering what else they can do to protect their home and their belongings. Even if they live in a safer area of the city, they might want to consider investing in a security system to help protect their home and their belongings. The basic systems can help quite a bit and give the person the peace of mind they can only have when they feel more secure in their home. |
