Home Security Tips to Protect you from Theft:

​​Robbery: the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

Burglary: the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.  

Larceny: the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. 

Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 69.5% of all burglary offenses. 

Burglaries may occur at any time, during the day while you are at work/running errands or in the evening using the cover of night.  Make your property less appealing to theft.  Burglars typically avoid property that is too risky or challenging.  With the majority of burglars getting away with their crimes, the following are tips to prevent theft:

 Exterior:

• Keep vegetation and shrubbery trimmed and clutter free to eliminate hiding spots for thieves
  
• Install exterior lighting so thieves do not have the cover of night or shadows to hide in
  
• Install motion sensor lighting
  
• Keep gates closed and locked, check daily
  
• Store ladders, tools and toys inside the garage - items can be used to aid thieves in a break-in or attract thieves to break-in
  
• Keep valuables (bikes/lawnmowers) in closed garage when not in direct use
  
• Keep garage door closed
  
• Keep garage man door closed and locked, use curtains/blinds for garage windows
  
• For trash day, break down boxes as to not alert thieves to items inside home
  
• Shred papers before placing in the trash
  
• Get to know your neighbors
  
• Form a neighborhood watch
  
• Disconnect automatic garage opener when out of town
  
• Stop your mail and other deliveries when out of town, have a neighbor pickup items
  
• Have a neighbor park their car in your driveway while out of town

Interior:

• Change all exterior door locks upon moving in
  
• Keep doors and windows locked, check daily
  
• Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and door(s) from an attached garage
  
• Use strong locks/deadbolts, heavy duty strike plate and reinforced doorframes
  
• Add a dowel or board to the track of sliding doors/windows
  
• Use timers on interior lights - choose timers with random settings to avoid patterns
  
• Barking dogs (big or small) - burglars do not like the added attention
  
• Leave a radio on to imply someone is home
  
• Close curtains/blinds to prevent thieves from seeing your belongings and home's layout
  
• Keep personal information in a locked fireproof safe or safety deposit box
  
• Don't advertise your upcoming trip - wait until you return to discuss or share photos
  
• If you choose to answer the door, do so while on the phone - this informs the potential burglar that someone will know if a robbery/break-in occurs
  

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​Automobiles - Most theft from vehicles happens in less than 20 seconds

• Never leave valuables in plain view, remove them from the vehicle
  
• Do not leave out items with personal information (mail)
  
• Do not leave windows or sunroof open
  
• Always lock doors
  
• Do not leave keys in the vehicle
  
• If you have a garage, use it
  
• Do not leave garage opener in plain view
  
• Do not move valuable items or luggage into the trunk while in public view
  

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Burglar Alarm System
 Alarm yard signs and stickers usually deter thieves, but are no guarantee.  Some burglars may try anyway, assuming there is no alarm system, the system is not armed or not monitored.  A monitored alarm system, when triggered, will notify you and contact the proper authorities.  Insurance companies often offer discounts for monitored alarm systems, especially when fire devices are used.

For more information on Burglar Alarm Systems and monitoring, please call us to schedule an appointment, DK Systems 760-360-4793.

 www.ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016

DK Systems uses National Monitoring Center (NMC), a central station for monitoring services.

SECURITY SYSTEMS - FIRE SYSTEMS - MONITORING - ACCESS SYSTEMS - CCTV - STRUCTURED WIRING

SERVING THE COACHELLA VALLEY DESERT CITIES: LA QUINTA, PALM DESERT, INDIO, INDIAN WELLS, BERMUDA DUNES, RANCHO MIRAGE, COACHELLA, CATHEDRAL CITY,  
PALM SPRINGS, DESERT HOT SPRINGS & THOUSAND PALMS 

DK Systems offers monitoring of burglar alarm, security systems, fire systems and medical systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our UL Listed central station, which is prepared to contact the proper agency of your emergency.  When calling the central station regarding an emergency, you will be connected to a friendly representative without the inconvenience of navigating an automated phone system.

People think, "It can't happen to me". The truth is a fire, medical emergency or an intrusion can happen to anyone at any time. Monitoring through our central station provides peace of mind on unforeseen emergencies.

Quality door locks are essential, but they cannot call for help when broken.

What happens when you have monitoring and your armed system detects an intrusion, or your system detects smoke or you are having a medical emergency?

• ​An audible warning will indicate the security system/fire system has been activated    
  

• Using your telephone connection, the security system/fire system notifies the central station of the situation
  

• The central station will begin a call sequence, which may include calling the premise, the police, fire department, paramedics, mobile contacts, relatives, friends and club security - central station response instructions vary with each system
  

• When the proper agency is contacted, they are informed of the emergency and dispatched to the premise. When the premise is called, the central station is verifying the situation.  
  

When you have monitoring, your home or business will have yard signs and window stickers indicating the premise has a monitored system. 

You may qualify for a discount on your homeowners insurance when your burglar system, security system or fire system is monitored. 

Contact us today and find out about our low monitoring rates! 

MONITORING

- RESIDENTIAL BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS - 

- COMMERCIAL SECURITY SYSTEMS - COMMERCIAL FIRE SYSTEMS-

- ALARM SYSTEM MONITORING - 

- ACCESS SYSTEMS – CCTV - STRUCTURED WIRING -

Palm Desert Alarm System / La Quinta Alarm System / Palm Springs Alarm System / Indian Wells Alarm System / Rancho Mirage Alarm System / Cathedral City Alarm System / Indio Alarm System / Bermuda Dunes Alarm System / Palm Desert Security System / La Quinta Security System / Palm Springs Security System / Indian Wells Security System / Rancho Mirage Security System / Cathedral City Security System / Indio Security System / Bermuda Dunes Security System / Residential Security System / Residential Burglar Alarm System / Residential Fire Alarm System / Cellular Backup / Medical Alert / Flood Detection / Asset Protection / Commercial Security System / Commercial Security Alarm System / Commercial Fire Alarm System / Surveillance / CCTV / Residential Gate System / Commercial Gate System / Door Access / Gate Access / Intercom System

How to Prevent False Alarms:

You have an alarm system to keep you, your loved ones, pets, possessions and home/business safe.  When your system reports an alarm, emergency services are dispatched.  When that alarm turns out to be false, it is a waste of emergency resources. Thousands of hours are spent investigating alarm reports that turn out to be false.  False alarms take first responders away from actual emergencies.  Many cities assess fines for false alarms (extreme fines for excessive false alarms). False alarms make your security system less reliable and credible.  False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm if it goes off repeatedly.  False alarms may make you reluctant to arm your system, which exposes your home/business to undetected theft and fire.

False alarms caused by acts of nature or faulty equipment are rare. The largest cause of false alarms is human error.

Tips to prevent false alarms:

• Know your arm/disarm code to enter at the keypad
• Know how to arm/disarm your alarm system
• Provide guests/employees with training to operate the alarm system, make special arrangements for service personal/technicians 
• Know how to cancel an alarm, cancel all alarms that don't need emergency response
• Know your pass code/password with the central station; know the phone number for the central station
• The central station will call the premise/contact list; answer your phone; keep your contact information current
• Use pet friendly sensor/devices or limit pet access to certain areas
• Secure all windows and doors.  Check for open, unlocked and loose-fitting windows and doors - winds and roaming animals can trigger the alarm system
• Watch for objects near motion detectors.  Heating and air conditioning systems may blow curtains, houseplants, banners/signs, hanging items, decorations and helium balloons
• Replace batteries in wireless devices
• Pay attention, don't get distracted and forget to disarm the alarm system
• If re-entering the premise, don't assume the exit delay is long enough, disarm the system, then rearm when leaving
• Dust your sensors/devices; remove spider webs and other debris/particles
• Purchase a quality system installed by a professional - misaligned sensors, technical issues, inadequate installation and poorly made sensors/devices can contribute to false alarms
• Repair or replace warped or misaligned windows and doors

The main battery in an alarm system will typically last five years, less if frequent power outages occur.  Routine maintenance can ensure the equipment is working properly and help prevent many false alarms from occurring.  If needed, upgrade an old alarm system.   

If you think your system is not working properly, call your alarm system provider. 

If you would like to have your system checked and activated for monitoring, please call us to schedule service, DK Systems 760-360-4793.

Alarm Permits:

The cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Indio require residential and business users of alarm systems to maintain alarm permits.  The paperwork and payments are between the alarm user and the city.  The links below each city will direct you to the city website to complete the alarm permit process. 

​Cathedral City    -    https://cathedralcity.citysupport.org/     

Desert Hot Springs    -    contact City Hall at 760-329-6411

Indio    -    https://www.cityalarmpermit.com/FAMS/Citizen/City/Indio/ATB_Login.aspx   

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​Palm Springs    -    https://palmspringsalarm.citysupport.org/