14 - Wednesday. June #7, 1987 - North Shore News WITH BURGLARIES on the rise, many homeowners are turning to alarm systems in an attempt to protect their valuables and proper- ties from break-ins and thefts. With a variety of alarms — both homeowner- and_ professional- installed — on the market, many homeowners are at a loss when it comes to protecting their homes. Paul Beatch, an expert on home security systems who has been in the business for nearly 10 years, suggests homeowners invest first in a perimeter system that will secure the house with all the doors and windows connected to the alarm. The idea is to keep burglars out of the house, and alarming all the entrances is the best way to do this, Beatch says. ‘‘What we're trying to do is create a situation where the home is the least attrac- tive one to those burglar types.’”’ No security measure is perfect and he points out that any alarm system can be countered — the idea is to make it as difficult as possible for the burglars. “If you had a choice between a home with an alarm and a home without an alarm, which one would you choose?’’ the security experts ask homeowners. Equipping the house with an ex- tra-loud outside horn and bright lights that come on when the alarm is tripped will often keep thieves away, he believes. Other, more sophisticated, gear such as motion detectors and in- fra-rred scanners will work, but Beatch feels it is safer to stop the burglar from getting in. “I always try to sell that as a back- “Up | system to the perimeter system.”’ Wired-in alarm systems with a monitoring service may not be the best buy for mest homeowners, he says. Wheti the alarm is tripped, the monitoring service follows a pre-determined set of instructions — then may call in the police. | The best bet, Beatch argues, is to stop the burglar from entering the house. Keeping the list of instructions brief will enable the service to call the police faster, without having to wait for the call-backs and needless delays. “Noise is still the best defence,” and a 110-decibel horn will make even the most determined burglar run for cover as quickly as legs can carry him. Alarm systems can be expensive, with some running into thousands of dollars. But With this expense comes a whole array of options to suit every homeowner. Some of the most popular packages include a switch in the bedroom where the occupants can trigger security measures without hazarding a trip downstairs. The Jatest in high-tech protec- tion is a computerized system that can offer homeowners a complete fire and burgiary protection package for their houses. Curtains can be opened, televi- sions and steroes can be turned on, lights can go on and off — all to simulate activity associated with an occupied house. Wireless systems have been on the market for the past five years and so have proven their reliabili- ty, says Beatch. Easy to install and convenient to take along when moving, wireless systems are ex- pandable, versatile and reliable. “They can expand and you can add on — maybe a window or door a week or so.”” Despite the high number of burglaries, Beatch says people are still acting like ostriches, trying to stick their heads in the sand and ignore the situation. “You can only pretend it’s OK Woodstop Building Supplies 1335 Draycott Road North Vancouver 986-5281 Windsor Plywood 309 Kennard Ave. North Vancouver 985-1341 for so long. When everybody on the block has been robbed except you (it’s hard to ignore),’’ Beatch likes to point out. Hollyburn Lumber 160 Haynes Street North Vancouver 980-3484 Beaver Lumber 1420 Fell Ave. North Vancouver 987-9374 ‘*More and more people are now becoming aware (of the burglary Situation).”’ “If the public purchases good- Hollyburn Lumber 3147 Woodbine Drive North Vancouver 986-3361 Paine Hardware 90 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver 987-2241 quality alarm systems, they (the aluims) are very valuable in giving added security to the residence,”’ says RCMP Cst. Cliff Doherty. Bowen Building Centre Trout Lake Road Bowen Island 922-3811 Distributed by: SMITH-BARREGAR LTD.