1. Home alarm systems have almost no value.

90% of people casing your home are either too stupid to know/care, or smart enough to defeat it. For the other 10%, the sign out front might make them decide that your neighbor's house is a softer target. In that vein, just buy an ADT sign on ebay. That's what I did.

2. External cameras aren't a bad idea to protect valuables, but they don't do anything to protect your invaluables - your family. IE - a camera might help bring your plasma TV back, but it won't bring your daughter back, which is what the OP is concerned with.

In response to this post by Hokie madman

Posted: 02/17/2016 at 07:22AM

Dobermans and smaller dogs. -- RoswellGAHokie 02/16/2016 10:01PM

Go get a Maine Coon or Siberian Forest Cat...attack cats are where it's at! ** -- Major Kong 02/17/2016 12:47PM

I have two (70-lb) mutts that I think are effective, quick story... -- HokieForever 02/17/2016 11:53AM

We had 2 great Dobes. Only way they would hurt you is lick you to death. -- 48zip 02/17/2016 11:35AM

Take a look at this link about guard dogs -- Betabeachbum 02/17/2016 11:15AM

Any barking dog will do - and just go out in the yard -- bigbadbird 02/17/2016 09:31AM

I'm offended that you want a straight guard dog. Is a gay guard dog -- BG Hokie 02/17/2016 09:15AM

Kick his A$$ Sparky!!...Well, he's definitely doing SOMETHING to his -- Late 80s Hokie 02/17/2016 12:18PM

Gay guard dogs are too preoccupied with licking themselves. -- Hokie in CT 02/17/2016 11:56AM

Don't forget cats which identify as dogs. ** -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 09:45AM

Do you really want a guard dog? -- PUAhokie 02/17/2016 08:57AM

I think your current dog is just fine for that. -- Late 80s Hokie 02/17/2016 08:03AM

*FORMER* doberman owner here. Made an immature decision -- typed by ben 02/17/2016 06:46AM

You must have the nicest Vizsla on the planet -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 06:08AM

Get a contract with an alarm company -- Hokie madman 02/16/2016 10:18PM

Can I just get Ving Rhames to stand in my yard 24/7? ** -- Hokie CPA 02/17/2016 08:10AM

1. Home alarm systems have almost no value. -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 07:22AM

It doesn't really matter whether the burglar notices your alarm sign or not -- Hokie madman 02/17/2016 07:31AM

LOL, you watch too many ADT commercials. -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 08:05AM

More realistic -- Hokie madman 02/17/2016 08:23AM

Many people have irrational fears of dogs. -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 09:13AM

Rent a cop in 45 minutes? We've set our alarm off a few times -- reestuart 02/17/2016 09:32AM

Any decent alarm system is tied into 911...not rent a cops ** -- HokiePHX 02/17/2016 10:18AM

"When seconds count, police are minutes away." ** -- USN_Hokie 02/17/2016 09:42AM

If a bad guy is casing your house and planning on murdering your family -- Hokie madman 02/17/2016 12:30PM

If they're coming in to kill the wife, a dog doesn't matter. -- reestuart 02/17/2016 10:18AM

That's a standard anti-dog line. Looking for advice from those -- RoswellGAHokie 02/16/2016 10:24PM

I'm not anti-dog by any means, but I also don't know that buying a "guard" -- reestuart 02/17/2016 08:40AM

By the way, the robbery described in my other post was in Decatur, GA -- pfishe 02/17/2016 07:48AM

I don't know about best breeds, Roswell, but some things to consider -- Upwind of uva 02/17/2016 05:44AM

I'm not anti dog at all -- Hokie madman 02/16/2016 10:31PM

We had a neighbor robbed at gun point in her garage. She had -- pfishe 02/17/2016 07:43AM

1. Home alarm systems have almost no value.

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