Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Neighborhood Watch

This month, a group of people in a small town outside Kansas City began tallying up recent break-ins that seemed to be centrally located and targeting farm houses and out buildings. With more than eight burglaries in two months, the word spread and residents were on high alert. Suspicious looking vehicles were noted and discussed among the neighbors; emails sent. Two days ago, an email was sent out about an arrest that had been made as a result of one neighbor's phone call.

Whether or not this is the alleged robber who had been breaking into homes and barns at night or whether the arrest is something unrelated is yet to be known. What has come from this, however, is that it took a community of people to keep their eyes open and call in the suspicious car. This type of community watch adds an extra layer of security to the residents of the area.

The National Sheriffs' Association started the Neighborhood Watch program in 1972 to pull citizens and local crime officials together in an effort to keep neighborhood's safe. Presently, Neighborhood Watch signs are seen all over the Kansas City area.

If you and your neighbors are interested in setting up a "watch" program, there are many resources on the Internet now that can assist you through the steps. A few are noted below:
  • You will need a map of the neighborhood with names, phone numbers and email addresses.
  • Utilize your teens in the neighborhood. They can be a great source and it will give them a feeling of responsibility.
  • Get a crime prevention officer to discuss crime issues in area.
  • Create a list of what initially needs to be addressed in your neighborhood.
  • Obtain facts about the crime in your neighborhood through police reports and newspapers.
Visit the Atronic Alarms' web site to learn more.






Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Building a Home: Prewiring for Security

The April 16-22 issue of the Kansas City Business Journal touted a front page article on builders who "Rise from Dread" focusing on the local home building market. After the slump in the economy, a story like this makes a positive impression.

If you are in the market this spring or summer to build a home, make sure you or your builder prewires the home for security, fire and home automation even if you are undecided on purchasing a system at the time. Wire is a very inexpensive way to "future proof" your home and it allows you to easily install security features after the walls are closed up. Even if you aren't interested in the technology today you may be in the future or if you sell your home.

Most security companies will perform the prewire for you or your builder at a very economical price. Reputable companies who run the wires keep locations of the runs on file and it can be referred to at any time.

Go to the Atronic Alarms' web site for more information on prewiring you home.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dog Breeds Considered Good Watchdogs

According to the FARA Residential Security booklet, certain dog breeds have been documented by professional dog handlers as more of a deterrent to intruders than others. Apparently, the following breeds are considered good "guard dogs:"
1. Bull Mastiff
2. Rottweiler
3. Doberman Pinscher
4. Komondor
5. Puli
6. Giant Schnauzer
7. German Shepard
8. Rhodesian Ridgeback
9. Kuvasz

Good "watchdogs" include:
1. Rottweiler
2. German Shepard
3. West Highland White Terrier
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Calm Terrier
6. Airedale Terrier
7. Poodle
8. Miniature Schnauzer

Click on the link above to find out the "worst" watchdogs!


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Happy 28th Year Anniversary, Atronic Alarms!

This morning the Atronic Alarms office staff gathered to surprise owner and developer, Perry Atha, with a cake, a couple of balloons, and some grins.

Perry started the company in April of 1982 after moving back to Kansas City and researching Alarm Systems for his home only to find that there was a need for a professional, reputable security provider in the area. With a degree in business, a strong interest in technology and a newly formed friendship with an alarm installer, Perry decided to develop a security company that promoted and provided strong relationships and involvement in the community based on trust.

28 years later, Atronic Alarms is currently one of the largest, locally owned and operated, custom designed security and home automation companies in the Kansas City area.

In first photo (left to right): Perry Atha, Todd Harrison, George Echohawk, Jay Dupuy, Steve Kort, Nell Mathews, Alec Saysoff, Justin Smith and Chrissy Wyble.

Second photo (left to right): Perry Atha and Todd Harrison.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft

Identity theft can be prevented, or the damage can be lessened considerably, by taking a few steps in your everyday life to keep your private information secured.
1. Run a credit report on yourself to double check the facts
2. Shred all of your credit, debit, ATM card receipts, bank statements, and tax documents before you dispose of them
3. If you close a checking account, make sure all remaining checks are shredded
4. Family web site? Don't give too much personal info, like place of birth or mother's maiden name. These are often used as passwords
5. Keep a copy of all credit cards or other forms of ID that you carry with you and keep it in a fire-proof safe or safety deposit box outside the home
6. Balance your checkbook and savings with the bank often to assure there are no discrepancies
7. Shred all unused pre-approved credit card offers

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Atronic Alarms is 2010 HAI 5-Star Dealer

Atronic Alarms, Inc received the news today that they are once again awarded the honor of being an HAI 5-Star Dealer.

Home Automation, Inc (HAI) presents this to HAI Dealers each year to selected companies who apply to be considered for the award. The award criteria is based on how many years the company has installed HAI systems and the number of installations performed the previous year.

Atronic Alarms has been an HAI Awarded Dealer since 2001, when the program began.

Out of the ten security companies in the Kansas City area who offer HAI's home automation security systems, Atronic is the only one who received this honor.