Avoid Costly Theft or Vandalism With a Whole-Home Security System
During a break-in, every second matters.
The average burglary is over in less than 10 minutes. Intruders know exactly where to go, and without any alerts or alarms, they can be in and out before anyone notices. That’s why the kind of security system you have—or don’t have—can change everything.
To show what’s at stake, here’s what a home invasion looks like in two different scenarios: one with no system at all, and another with a professionally installed, monitored whole-home security system that includes smart cameras and priority police dispatch.
SEE MORE: Beyond the Basic Alarm: Smarter Security for Your Home
Scenario 1: A Break-In Without A Security Buffer
During a typical break-in, burglars are prepared to act quickly and get in and out with high-value property before authorities or homeowners react. Here is how it usually plays out:
Minute 0–1: A stranger walks through the neighborhood in the early afternoon. They spot an empty driveway, check the side gate, and slip around back.
Minutes 2–4: The back door gives way with a little pressure. With no alerts or cameras, nobody at work or school knows someone just entered their home.
Minutes 5–8: The intruder heads straight for the master bedroom and home office. Jewelry, small electronics, and anything easy to grab goes into a bag.
Minutes 9–10: The thief walks out the same way they came in. There’s no footage to review, no alert sent, and little chance law enforcement will ever find who did it.
Scenario 2: A Break-In Thwarted by Smart Security
In comparison, a whole-home security system is designed to act proactively to deter intruders. And in case of an attempted entry, it steps in to assure a quick response.
Minute 0: As soon as the back door opens, a contact sensor triggers. The siren blares. Lights flick on throughout the house. A camera captures clear footage of the intruder stepping inside.
Minute 1: The monitoring team verifies the footage and assigns an AVS-01 score—a system used by police departments to prioritize verified crimes. Officers are alerted with real-time video and details.
Minutes 2–4: The intruder panics. They didn’t expect this. The house is lit up, and a voice announces that authorities are on the way. The doors auto-lock behind them. Getting out might not be as easy as getting in.
Minutes 5–7: Police arrive while the intruder is still in the area or just leaving. There’s a much higher chance of an arrest, and damage is limited.
Why Those Few Minutes Matter
Police treat verified alarms very differently from passive ones. If your system includes video confirmation and uses AVS-01 scoring, your address moves higher on the response list. That shaves valuable minutes off dispatch time. Most burglaries last under 10 minutes, which can mean the difference between a loss and a resolution.
What Counts as True Whole-Home Security?
A few cameras won’t cut it. A full system protects your home from every angle and uses automation to make your house less appealing to intruders while helping to provide a higher AVS-01 from authorities:
- Entry sensors and smart locks on every door and window
- Motion detectors that pick up unusual movement inside
- Indoor and outdoor cameras with live alerts and two-way talk
- Smart lighting and audio that respond automatically
- Professional monitoring with video verification and police coordination
These pieces work together. When something’s off, your security acts—and so does your monitoring team.
If you're ready to protect what matters most, Atlantic Companies is here to help. Call us today or fill out our contact form to start building a smarter, stronger security system for your home. We're ready when you are.
