Month: January 2023

  • Important Questions to Ask a Home Security Provider

    Important Questions to Ask a Home Security Provider

    When you’re shopping for a home security system, there’s a lot to consider.

    You want to make sure that the company you choose is reputable and has good customer service. You also want to make sure that your equipment will work well with your home, and that you won’t get locked into a contract.

    In this article, we’ll go over some questions you should ask when shopping around for home security providers:

    Do you offer the latest technology?

    A good home security provider will offer the latest technology. The best way to ensure this is by asking your provider questions about their systems and how they keep up with changing technologies. You might ask:

    • What are the most recent technologies your company offers?
    • How do these new technologies benefit me as a consumer?
    • Will my current devices be compatible with the latest products from your company?
    Are you a local company?

    You may think that this is a silly question, but it’s important for many reasons.

    Local companies tend to be more responsive to customer service – if you have an issue with your system and need technical support, they can get to you faster.

    A local company will know the local laws and regulations better than someone who has only been in business in their area for a few years. This might not seem important now, but when you are building or remodeling your home, there are some things that could affect the security of your property—such as zoning laws regarding fences or hedges—and if you want everything to be done legally and safely then it pays to hire someone who knows what they’re doing!

    A local company will know the local ordinance requirements and changes. In Georgia, many counties and municipalities are hiring companies to administer the false alarm programs. This requires secondary registration – and fines if not in compliance.

    What kind of monitoring services do you offer?

    The best way to know whether your home security provider can provide the level of monitoring you need is to ask them. Here are some questions to help you get started:

    What kind of monitoring services do you offer? In general, there are four different types of monitored services: 24/7 live monitoring (and dispatch) for burglary, 24/7 live monitoring (and dispatch) for fire and carbon monoxide detection, and self-monitoring (you are notified via technology and responsible for contacting emergency services, video monitoring and video self-monitoring (the majority of cameras are self monitored).

    How much does it cost?

    This varies widely depending on the technology in the home, and whether you are locked into a contract. EMC Security does not have long-term contracts so you are not required to pay off the contract term if you move or circumstances change. Learn more >>

    Some provide equipment with no upfront cost, increasing the monthly service cost. These contracts tend to cost more because the cost typically never reduces once the free technology is paid for.

    Typical questions that complicate things when you sign a contract are:

    • Are my monitoring and equipment fees locked in, or can they increase during my contract term?
    • What equipment fees are locked in, and what can increase?
    • Will the monitoring fee change?
    • What happens to my contract if I cancel it early? Are there early termination fees?
    • How long is my contract? When does it end?
    Can I control my security system through an online or mobile app?

    A mobile app is the best way to control your security system from anywhere. With the mobile app, you can arm and disarm, check status of sensors, check history of alerts and monitor your home from anywhere.

    What about customer service?

    Can I talk to someone at your company if I have questions or issues with my system?

    Will there be a local security technician that can come to my house in an emergency?

    Purchasing the system is just the first step. The rest is up to you. Your system should be user-friendly – easy enough to use every day and incorporate into your life. If you have technical issues, EMC Security has a large group of technicians ready to service your system in your home. We also have phone technicians to trouble-shoot over the phone and remotely.

    EMC Security recommends researching a company before committing to service. Check Google reviews – does the company have a history of poor customer service after the sale? Ask your neighbors for a recommendation and more.

  • Practical Safety Tips In and Around the City

    Practical Safety Tips In and Around the City

    Metro Atlanta is a beautiful place to live. Living in the city Atlanta, you have access to everything you need, and it’s easy to get around. However, there are some dangers that come with living in such a busy place.

    You need to know how to stay safe if you want to avoid getting hurt or robbed while walking through town or driving through your city neighborhood.

    Look around as you are getting out of your vehicle.

    As you are getting out of your vehicle, make sure to always look around. Look for anyone who may be lingering behind your car or in a nearby alleyway.

    Also, if you notice any people staring at you and/or following you around while walking through the city, be careful! This could be a stalker or someone who wants to hurt both of us!

    Look around when you get to the store door

    Look around the entrance.

    If you’re by yourself, pay close attention to who’s around you before entering the store. If it seems like anyone is hanging out near the entrance, call the police and stay put until they arrive. If it looks like someone might be following or watching you, go inside and ask for help from a staff member or other patron.

    Look for anyone hanging out around the entrance

    As you make your way to the mall, keep a lookout for people who might be loitering around the entrance. Are they waiting for someone? Or are they just hanging out there? If you think they look suspicious, it’s best not to engage them in conversation. Instead, find another entrance or walk around the building until you see something that looks more inviting.

    Call the police if anything suspicious is happening

    If you see something suspicious, call 911. Don’t try to be a hero and confront a criminal on your own. Chasing after criminals isn’t worth the risk of getting hurt or killed.

    Always walk in a group

    One of the best ways to be safe in and around the city is to try and walk in a group. Sure, safety in numbers isn’t just about the number of people you have with you—it’s also about how many exits are available if something goes wrong. But even if it’s just you out walking solo, there are lots of ways to make yourself feel safer.

    For example, some people like wearing reflective vests when they walk at night so that cars can see them better. Others rely on whistles or loud talking as a way to alert bystanders if they get into trouble. You might also carry pepper spray or other deterrents that could give would-be attackers pause before trying anything too bold!

    Don’t use your phone when walking alone

    Most people are aware of the dangers of using your phone while driving, but what about when you’re walking alone in a dark street? Even though it seems like no big deal, walking and texting is just as dangerous.

    In fact, since most people don’t realize how easily they can get distracted by their phones, they might even be more prone to accidents or attacks than drivers who have been engrossed with their devices.

    Don’t do it! The best way to use your phone in public is to always keep it in your pocket (or purse). That way, if someone approaches you on foot or in their vehicle and tries asking for directions or for help with something else that seems suspicious—don’t answer them! Instead, keep walking toward an area where there are other people and call 911 immediately if necessary.

    Be aware of what is happening around you at all times

    It is important to be aware of what is happening around you at all times. This will help to keep you safe.

    When getting out of your vehicle, make sure that you look around and check for any suspicious activity before unlocking your door.

    Before entering a store, check for anyone that may be hanging around the entrance or lurking nearby.

    If a stranger approaches while walking through an alleyway or parking lot, try to stay away from them and get back into public view as quickly as possible.

    If you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, call 911 and get help.

  • Dekalb County Convenience Store Video Surveillance Ordinance

    Dekalb County Convenience Store Video Surveillance Ordinance

    The ongoing violence and crime DeKalb County is experiencing, particularly at gas and service stations, has prompted the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners to approve a Video Surveillance Ordinance which will require convenience stores and high-risk businesses to own and operate a video surveillance system.

    DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says, “The ordinance will be a valuable tool in deterring crime and serving justice to anyone who engages in criminal activity at a DeKalb gas or service station.”

    The ordinance will officially go into effect June 30, 2023, at which time all existing convenience stores must be in compliance with all provisions of the ordinance.

    A few key items in the legislation state that convenience stores and high-risk businesses must:

    • Keep a video surveillance system in continuous operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including outside business hours.
    • Meet the minimum standard of 4MP Wi-Fi network cameras that includes digital video recording with 24 frames per second and infrared night vision to ensure clarity.
    • Mandatory placement of cameras at registers, points of entry and exit, gas pumps, loading docks, and parking areas.
    • Mandatory inspection of new construction plans or a one-time initial inspection of video surveillance system to ensure compliance.
    • After the initial inspection, the applicant must submit an annual affidavit with each application for the renewal of a business license that the video surveillance system is operational and in full compliance with the applicable requirements and standards within Ordinance.
    • Place notice of presence of video surveillance system at the register and on premise to inform the public that the premises are actively monitored.
    • A digital video recording must be made available to the Chief or any other peace officer for viewing no later than 72 hours after being requested.
    • Mandatory storage of footage for 60 days.
    • Footage must display proper date and time.
    • VSS capture and lighting must extend no less than 75 feet of building periphery.

    All convenience stores that have video surveillance systems installed prior to the effective date will be required to ensure their systems are in full compliance and must obtain an assessment approval from DeKalb County Code Enforcement. In addition, all convenience stores must be compliant with the provisions upon opening their doors or before the renewal of their business license.

    Failure to adhere to the requirements of the ordinance, upon citation by a county employee and conviction of the violation in a court of competent jurisdiction, may result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

    To implement the program throughout unincorporated DeKalb, six dedicated DeKalb County Code Enforcement personnel will be hired.

    EMC Security is prepared to assist convenience stores with NVR systems that meet the requirements of the ordinance. Kits start as low as $1,395 with (4) four cameras.

    surveillance cameras

    EMC Security can make sure your store is in compliance. Call today for a cutomized affordable solution at 770-963-0305 or request a call today.

  • What to do if crime rises in your neighborhood

    What to do if crime rises in your neighborhood

    If you’ve lived in your neighborhood for a while, it’s likely that crime rates have stayed consistent.

    But if something has changed recently–perhaps there are more break-ins or robberies in your area–you should take steps to protect yourself and your property.

    We’ve put together this list of tips from law enforcement agencies around the country to help make sure that happens:

    Don’t leave valuables in your car.
    • Make sure your car is locked and that you take all keys out of the ignition when it’s parked, even if you’re locking up for just a few minutes.
    • If you have to leave something in the car, put it out of sight and lock your door immediately after getting back into the vehicle—or better yet, go inside with it!
    • Never leave purses or wallets in the open or visible through windows or sunroofs; they’re an easy target for thieves.
    • Keep anything valuable hidden away from view, such as GPS systems and phones that charge via USB cables–these can easily be taken by someone who knows how to use them (or simply steals them for parts).
    Install a home security system
    • One of the best things you can do is to install an EMC Security home security system that is monitored 24/7. If someone attempts to break into your home, EMC Security will notify the police for help. They will also inform them if any sensors were tripped so that officers know what they may be walking into when they arrive on scene.
    • Security systems come with different types of sensors, but all of them have one thing in common: they detect motion and send alerts to the monitoring company if they sense something suspicious happening around your house or car. You should consider adding cameras so that video footage also gets recorded if an incident occurs while no one is present at home (or while someone is sleeping).
    House diagram
    Eyes, ears, and lighting
    • While you’re away, keep an eye on your home. A trusted neighbor or friend can check on it daily, or at least once a week. If you live in a gated community, ask your community association to play a role in keeping an eye on homes when the owners are not present.
    • If you live in an ungated area, consider adding lighting around your property so that criminals know they’ll be seen if they come into your yard at night. You may want to install motion-activated lights and cameras outside your home so that anyone entering the property can be seen clearly by neighbors or passersby.
    Lock the doors and windows to your house at all times.
    • Never leave keys in the locks of your car, even if you’re just leaving it for a few minutes.
    • If you have a garage, make sure it’s locked when not in use.
    Use timers to make it look like someone’s always home
    • You can use timers to make it look like someone is home when they’re not. Set lights to turn on and off at different times of the day, so it looks like there’s activity going on in your house. If you have a security camera, set it up to turn on and off every few minutes so neighbors think you’re always watching what’s happening outside.
    • If you’ve got a TV or radio with a timer, use that too: set it to turn on at different times of the day so neighbors think someone is listening to music or watching TV while they’re at work during the day.
    Install a security camera in your front yard or close to your doorbell
    • You can easily install a security camera near your front door. Many of these cameras are small and inconspicuous. They connect to Wi-Fi and can be monitored from your phone or computer, so you’ll always know when someone is at your door.

    A mailman

    Be vigilant.
    • If you see something suspicious, it’s important to be aware of what’s happening around you and let neighbors know if they haven’t already called the police. While most neighborhood watch programs simply encourage members to call the police if they notice anything suspicious, some are more involved—they may even send emails about potential crime trends or tips on how to keep your home safe. If your program doesn’t have this level of involvement, consider starting one yourself!
    You can take steps to help prevent crime from happening in your neighborhood.
    • Get to know your neighbors. People who are well-known in their communities and have good relationships with their neighbors are often the first to hear about suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
    • Report all suspicious activity immediately. If you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, report it to the authorities—and I promise, the police don’t bite!
    • Keep valuables out of sight, secure them in a safe place (a strong box is ideal), and never leave them unattended outside even for a moment—if someone sees them lying around unsecured they’re more likely to try stealing them! And remember: if they can’t see it then they won’t bother trying anything with it either!

    It’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family. If you see something suspicious going on in your neighborhood, don’t be afraid to report it! You should also keep an eye out for things like burglaries or robberies happening around town.

  • How to Determine if Your Neighborhood is Safe

    How to Determine if Your Neighborhood is Safe

    When you’re moving to a new city, one of the first things you should do is get to know the area, specifically how safe certain areas are versus others.

    Below are some ways to determine how safe your neighborhood is:

    The FBI’s crime statistics are free, easy to access and reliable. The statistics are available for every neighborhood in the U.S., as well as for each state. To access the data, go to “Crime in the United States” on the FBI website and select your state from the drop-down menu. You can then click on “Part One: Violent Crime.” This will give you information about crimes committed within your state, including murder rates per 100,000 people (the higher this number is, the more dangerous your city or town is) and property crimes (such as burglary). Click here for home security system information).

    Many websites provide crime statistics. Below is a chart of a few to try.

    seven online tools for neighborhood safety

    Real estate apps are a great way to get a feel for a neighborhood’s safety. They allow you to look at the crime rates, property taxes, and schools of neighborhoods in your area. This way, you can make an informed decision about where you want to live based on what is important to you. Want to learn about the safest cities in Georgia? Click here.

    Property taxes are a reflection of the value of the property. If your neighborhood’s property values are low, it may be due to an overabundance of crime or lack of economic stimulation. Similarly, if there is a lot of crime in your area and no one wants to live there, then you should also consider whether or not it is safe for you as well. Property taxes are based on the value of the property so they can be used as an indicator as to whether or not a neighborhood is safe or not.

    Evaluate your local police department or sheriff’s office. A great way to determine whether your neighborhood is safe is to take a good look at the police department or sheriff’s office. Is there a good response time? How often do they post information about crimes in your area on social media, and how quickly do they respond to public concerns via those platforms? Do they host community outreach programs, like “Coffee with a Cop” events where residents can meet members of law enforcement face-to-face and ask questions about how best to stay safe in their communities?

    Consider whether or not there are any organizations in your community designed specifically around improving public safety or reducing crime rates—such as Neighborhood Watch groups—and join them if they seem like they might be right for your family.

    Look around. Are their well-lit streets? How close are local parks, trails and schools? Chances are, if they are nearby, the area is on the safer-side. Check the “walk score”.

    a neighborhood street

    The best way to determine whether your neighborhood is safe is by talking to people who live and work in the area. Ask them about their experiences with crime and if they have seen any suspicious activity in the neighborhood. If you find out that crime is a problem, ask them what they think could be done to help make it safer.

    For example: “Hey Tom! How’s everything going?”

    “Oh not too bad,” he said. “I was just wondering if anyone else here has had any trouble lately.”

    “No, I’m fine,” Tom said with a smile on his face but then he looked down at his feet and shook his head slightly before looking back up at me again and saying, “but I know some people who have had some problems.”

    No matter where you end up, be diligent and research first so you don’t make a decision you’ll regret.

    A great way to get peace of mind is with a monitored security system from EMC Security. Click here to get a quote today!