ADT Security Pro - Home Security Blog

You have to admit, when you walk into a building covered in surveillance cameras, you think twice about actions as silly as dropping your gum wrapper on the floor. Cameras tell you and me, that we are being watched, it is being recorded and someone could hold us accountable for the actions we are taking. 

That threat has amazing benefits, I've mentioned before that our cameras made for a very short lived lying phase in our 8 year old. One look at the facts of who actually stole Sadie (the stuffed dog,) and he was forever convinced that the truth was on tape waiting for us to verify his story if need be. 

But does that make the costs associated with video surveillance actually worth it? We decided to verify if our clients actually feel the cameras are worth it and why. Many originally felt on the fence when deciding to invest in security cameras or not. Our clients tell us they have found that preventing crimes, raising the chances of catching a burglar AND the every day use that ADT Pulse Cameras offer, make them well worth the investment! 

Read on for the reasons our clients find that the investment is well worth it.

The best video surveillance is not necessarily the best home security camera system for you. Different systems are made to fit different needs. Here's a quick look at video surveillance for 'your' home.

There seems to be great confusion between the terms myADT.com and my account with ADT. Commonly that's phrased as ADT my account. Let me assure you that neither is an actual term other than with ADT, you do have an account. Now that you can breathe a sigh of relief, we'll take a look at what your ADT account is comprised of
and what myADT.com is and clear up the confusion.

The exclusive Home View from ADT Pulse makes managing your home simpler than ever.

The hurdle with new technology is often the learning curve of each and every new device you install. Often, the AMAZING features that we saw on a commercial or an in-store live demo simply take too much time to figure out. 

ADT has taken that all into account and designed Home View to look like your home. What could be easier? You don't even need instructions to know what your house looks like. 

You might not realize Brinks and Broadview  are now a part of ADT. So if you call them, you'll be directed back to us.

As for other companies like Bay Alarm and a zillion smaller companies, It's a common misconception that to utilize your home's existing alarm system you are required to call the company that installed it. Even if you don't like them... it's that or purchase a whole new system and not take advantage of the existing equipment! Luckily that is not the case. Here at

California Security Pro, many of our installers have been installing home security systems for over a decade. They've seen most of what's out there and have the skills to provide you with a great system, utilizing the parts of your system that are still functional.

Click to scheduling your FREE Home Security review. It gives you the opportunity to have a professional look at your existing system for free and give you options. You'll find out consultants honest, straight forward and not pushy, their job is to educate you and help you make the best decision, even if it's not us.

In this 3rd look at recent crime, we'll look at crime prevention and preparedness. 

“I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky.”  ― Oprah Winfrey

How true that is when a burglar comes knocking. Those that get a lucky break are often the most prepared. 

To recap, Part 1 : recent crime in your area was how to find out exactly what's going on in your community and even stay on top of it with sites like Nixle.com that text you with up to the minute information of what's going on now close to your home. 

In Part 2 : What to do when you have a break-in we looked at what you do when you actually are a victim of a crime specifically a break-in or burglary. 

Here we will look at how a security system and some do-it-yourself steps add the layers of protection necessary to prevent the worse if it looks your way. If you are staying on top of local crime and crime trends, many come to the conclusion that it can happen to you just as easily as the nice couple on the news last night that weren't expecting it. This blog tells you what to do to NOT be them.  

If you just had aburglary, there's no need for me to tell you how this all feels. If you are on the lucky end and you are just looking into how to prevent it, take a moment and imagine what this all looks like:

You grab a coffee with an old friend. You catch up a bit, who has kids? Where did the super smart redheaded guy from high-school end up? Married to the head cheerleader?? No one saw that coming! Awww, they have cute kids... what? they run a farm stand? Wow, the years have flown!!

You're pondering this all as you pull into your driveway. Hmm, why can't that teenager turn lights off, almost every light in the house is on. The front door looks a little weird too. You get closer and it's clear, it's been kicked in. 

***Editor's note, this is part 2 of a 3 part series, to read Part 1 - Recent crime in your community, CLICK HERE***

"Of course I knew that a break-in could happen anywhere. I'd think, 'We don't have a lot of expensive things.' or 'It'd be cheaper to replace a few items than to pay for years of an alarm system...'   I thought these things every time I saw a home security commercial...

3 months after I woke up to a burglar in my home, I had to move. It's been 6 more months, we have an alarm now. I now own a gun and have been taking self defense classes for 4 months.  I am slowly replacing my mental security. I wake up thinking that someone could be in my home, near my kids and have to go make sure that everyone is okay.

What he stole was my peace of mind."

-Melnee Johnson

Did you know that 34% of break-ins occur right through the front door?

Gutsy, Right?

This makes sense when the most common "tactic" involves the front door.  A would-be thief will check out a neighborhood, maybe they found some "clues" like an empty TV box by the trash can, a new Samsung - 65" TV. Or they can see through a window and your laptop is sitting hte in plane sight and no one is home...

Now there is a burglar at your front door... He'll knock and look like he has an appointment with you. He's knocking. Waiting. He has a clipboard in his hand. He's looking at his watch and looking, well... pissed off that you aren't answering. He peeks in a window and looks up and down the street again, then at his watch. Mrs. Applegate figures you missed an appointment and goes back to, well, baking pies or whatever she does on a Wednesday afternoon. Mr. McBurglar knows he's in the clear and in 30 seconds has kicked your door in and no one saw it! If they saw him at all, they saw a young guy in a uniform or dark pants, but he looked like he had business there... and oh baby did he!

If a burglar does break into your home, they will most likely be gone before the police show up.

Having a security system with video surveillance can minimize what they get away with. A thief can kick down most doors in seconds. Upon hearing the alarm, they will know help is on the way. BUT once they are in, even though the alarm is creaming to get back out, they know there's enough time to grab your laptop off the kitchen table or the $600 iPhone just inside the door. The police will arrive a few minutes later.