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Home Security Systems

Crash and Smash Home Protection Explained – We’ve got it, but the Others Don’t

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By: Peter M. Rogers
July 27, 2010
5 comments

Crash and Smash Home Protection Explained – We’ve got it, but the Others Don’t

Okay, here is a timely topic for the summer. There are plenty of young folks coming to the door to sell you and alarm systems– and we’ll deal with them (and their tactics!) in a separate post. Today’s point is that most alarm companies are selling systems that are easy to defeat.

The concept is called “Crash & Smash,” and it’s happening more and more across the US. Here’s the scenario with a traditional alarm system:

  1. Intruder crashes through the door.
  2. Alarm system (if set in the “armed” state!) waits for the pass code to be entered in the keypad.
  3. If no pass code is entered, siren sounds, but alarm panel still waits 30 seconds or more to send alarm signal.
  4. Intruder smashes the alarm control panel before the panel sends the alarm signal.
  5. Central monitoring never receives the alarm, or calls the home to verify, or dispatches police.

Good news: FrontPoint’s cellular partner, Alarm.com, has developed a patented solution for Crash & Smash. Alarm.com is the absolute leader for next generation interactive wireless monitoring services, with remote alarming/disarming, email and text notifications, special apps for smart phones (iPhone, Blackberry, and Android), video services, and even smart home functions like light and thermostat control.  FrontPoint is the only company is the US to use Alarm.com in every system we sell.

Alarm.com calls this particular feature “Pending Alarms,” but we like “Crash & Smash” for the visual! Now we will run the scenario with a FrontPoint Security system with Interactive Monitoring:

  1. Intruder crashes through the door.
  2. System sends “Door Open” signal to Alarm.com (it does this every time a door opens).
  3. System waits for pass code to be entered.
  4. If no pass code is entered, siren sounds: remember, the alarm panel has already sent “Open Door.”
  5. Alarm.com waits for next signal: either pass code being entered, or intrusion alarm signal.
  6. Intruder smashes control panel.
  7. Alarm.com receives no more signals, so treats the unresolved “Door Open” as an alarm event, and central monitoring station handles dispatch process.

Here's a short video that really makes the point - https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/home-security-how-to/how-home-security-works/how-to-defeat-alarm-systems

We have also talked a lot about the requirement for wireless cellular monitoring – the only safe way to protect your home and family – so now you see why a FrontPoint system is virtually impossible to defeat.

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Comments
Alan
August 8, 2010
MOST EXCELLENT! This pending alarm feature AND cellular combo are the MAIN reasons I chose Frontpoint three years ago. I also hadn't seen the video before... it's simple, to the point, just like this, and most of your posts. Once a customer understands these concepts, it really raises the bar on their expectations and real (vs. perceived) security.
Reply
Alan
August 8, 2010
MOST EXCELLENT! This pending alarm feature AND cellular combo are the MAIN reasons I chose Frontpoint three years ago. I also hadn't seen the video before... it's simple, to the point, just like this, and most of your posts. Once a customer understands these concepts, it really raises the bar on their expectations and real (vs. perceived) security.
Reply
Dave
February 1, 2014
Just bought a system from Front Point, although a nice system. When I activated the system I asked about what if someone came in a ripped my system off the wall. I was told that since I had not signed up for the 42.99 tier that would not be monitored.I was appalled to find that out. This should be a basic in a cutting edge system. The rep suggested that I lower my entry time, that's no good the crooks can hear it and make it to the unit just as I can. The bottom line is that the system with the 34.99 tier is useless. I'm looking to pack it back up and return it.
Reply
Peter M. Rogers
February 6, 2014
Dave - You are correct that our $34.99 level of service does not include the Crash & Smash feature: that's a big reason that over 90% of our customers sign up for the Interactive ($42.99) or Ultimate ($49.99) levels, since both of those service plans do include Crash & Smash. But here's a little perspective for you. Our $34.99 plan includes cellular monitoring, and there are no add-on charges for life safety or environmental monitoring services (unlike some of our competitors). That is a very attractive price, for that service. In fact, for years ADT has sold cellular monitoring for $44.99 with no interactive features: that's right, $10 more than we charge for basic cellular monitoring. We offer that $34.99 level for people who don't want to spend the extra $8 for the advanced features, and it is a bargain, in a relative sense. It's also important to point out that Alarm.com, our technology partner, sells their technology through plenty of other dealers like FrontPoint. But we know we charge less for Alarm.com interactive services than just about anyone out there, so we feel pretty good about that. We also do a remarkably good job of supporting theses advanced services, as you can see from all the great FrontPoint reviews. And finally, we also save you money upfront by charging less for equipment than our competitors. In other words, we know we are not perfect, but we believe we have a comprehensive offering of alarm equipment and services that is affordable, regardless of which services you want to sign up for, and that our level of service is as good as you can find. If the system you ordered does not meet your needs, then we are ready, willing and able to take it back - and you won't pay a penny, even for shipping. That's just one more great thing people love about FrontPoint: we want you to be happy with you purchase, now and for years to come. Thanks for your comment.
Reply
Peter M. Rogers
February 6, 2014
Dave - You are correct that our $34.99 level of service does not include the Crash & Smash feature: that's a big reason that over 90% of our customers sign up for the Interactive ($42.99) or Ultimate ($49.99) levels, since both of those service plans do include Crash & Smash. But here's a little perspective for you. Our $34.99 plan includes cellular monitoring, and there are no add-on charges for life safety or environmental monitoring services (unlike some of our competitors). That is a very attractive price, for that service. In fact, for years ADT has sold cellular monitoring for $44.99 with no interactive features: that's right, $10 more than we charge for basic cellular monitoring. We offer that $34.99 level for people who don't want to spend the extra $8 for the advanced features, and it is a bargain, in a relative sense. It's also important to point out that Alarm.com, our technology partner, sells their technology through plenty of other dealers like FrontPoint. But we know we charge less for Alarm.com interactive services than just about anyone out there, so we feel pretty good about that. We also do a remarkably good job of supporting theses advanced services, as you can see from all the great FrontPoint reviews. And finally, we also save you money upfront by charging less for equipment than our competitors. In other words, we know we are not perfect, but we believe we have a comprehensive offering of alarm equipment and services that is affordable, regardless of which services you want to sign up for, and that our level of service is as good as you can find. If the system you ordered does not meet your needs, then we are ready, willing and able to take it back - and you won't pay a penny, even for shipping. That's just one more great thing people love about FrontPoint: we want you to be happy with you purchase, now and for years to come. Thanks for your comment.
Reply
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