[diskman]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

A new resident recently posted a question about whether to have an alarm system installed in their new home. I was surprised at the number of people who said, "no, it's not necessary in the Villages."

I disagree with that assessment. Not because it's The Villages, but because this is 2011 and this is now. I think I'm fairly safe in saying that most people have auto insurance, golf cart insurance, health insurance and home owners insurance. I think too, that most people would not do without those insurances. I firmly believe in the insurance offered by a whole house alarm system. For both fire and intrusion.

I think is a little dangerous to begin believing that The Villages is "so safe" that the insurance of an alarm system is totally unnecessary. So much so that one would offer as advice to another, to not install one. How awful would you feel if, as a result of that advice, an alarm was not installed and there was a fire or theft that turned deadly. Of my 5 closest friends in the Villages, 4 of them have whole house alarm systems.

The Villages is surrounded on all sides by cities that have their share of poverty, crime and unemployment. Is it conceivable that those people don't know about The Villages, and don't have the notion that residents are living like "millionaires?"

Those of us who have at least 10 years of memory of Villages living remember the rash of burglaries about 4 years ago. Some at night, some during the day, and many while the residents were at home. The 'Bubble" is not unbreakable. One evening, as my wife was leaving the house for her evening walk, a deputy stopped her and asked where she was going. When she told him, he said, "not tonight, you're not, we have a suspect holed up in one of these yards around here."

Those who choose to not have an alarm system are within their rights to do so. Advising other to not do it because the Villages is so safe, I think, is not prudent.

As for my wife and I: we sleep much better at night knowing that our whole house alarm systems is awake and is on guard for our safety.

JLK

Very difficult to have a dog and an alarm, as sometimes your dog will walk around during the night and set off the motion detector. I think many villagers feel safe with their pets.