The big alarm companies refuse to install a system that is not monitored.  They say a system is “no good” unless it is monitored, but the real reason is because they want the recurring income from you month after month after month.  If you want to analyze it objectively, these are the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Monitoring does increase the peace-of-mind afforded by the alarm system for some individuals, and peace-of-mind is what it’s all about.
2. If your system includes smoke detectors, monitoring may get the fire department there in time to save keepsakes and pets, if any.
3. If your home has a carbon monoxide exposure, monitored CO detectors could save your life.

Cons:

1. The average burglary lasts around 3 minutes, so unless the police can respond to your premises within 3 minutes, they will get there in time to write a “burglary report”.
2. The loud noise of the siren is the biggest deterrent to the burglar. He doesn’t know whether or not the police are on their way, or a neighbor with a gun for that matter. He generally is gone when the siren sounds.
3. Alachua County’s False Alarm Ordinance provides fines when they respond to a false alarm, and a monitored system is certain to produce a response.

You decide whether or not monitoring is right for you. At HSA we do not require monitoring. If you choose to be monitored, you can monitor month to month with no penalty for termination of the monitoring service.