Existing burglar alarm installed by a leading major alarm company had radio backup dialer if telephone wires were cut. The telephone wires were plainly accessible from ground level. During a break-in, the telephone wires were cut and the radio backup did not work. The system was not “supervised” meaning there was no indication of wires being cut or radio not functioning. We were contacted following break-in and per our recommendation, the home owner rerouted telephone wires to enter at attic level, not ground level. We identified that the radio dialer was the wrong type to function in the non air-conditioned space where it was located, the glass break sensor was on wrong wall, and a motion sensor was in the wrong location. A “mock strike” by the original alarm company would have revealed these deficiencies without the loss of over $200,000 in uninsured collector’s valuables, and the anguish and the time associated.

A sign directed customers to park in rear of building in a congested area. Yet, in pulling in, a car could be confronted by a delivery truck backing out blindly in the single traffic lane pattern. We recommended enforcing policy of one-way traffic only and some simple devices to assure this. We also recommended having their suppliers sign a policy regarding this and supply certificates of insurance.