Real Life vs. Security System Commercials

Joshua M. Smith · 03-19-2008, 05:50 PM

Hello,

There's a commercial for ATD home security, or something along those lines.

A couple has moved into a new house and are laying in bed. The woman thinks she heard something, and the guy offers to go and check.

Man gets up and, unarmed, proceeds to the landing, looks as if he's going to start down the stairs, when *BOOM* a criminal bursts in through the front door, setting off the alarm and making dear hubby turn tail and run. Official looking dude from the security company calls, asks if everything's OK, and offers to call the police.

While I don't disagree with having a security system in general, I do have problems with the commercial.

First, the criminal had likely been watching the house for some time. He would have known it was either a) empty (remember, first night in new house for the couple) or b) would have known it was occupied. If "a," there would have been no reason to break in, and therefore, I would assume that the guy knew it was occupied.

So we have a felon who doesn't mind breaking into a house where people are sleeping. Nice. Such a criminal is probably armed as well.

Second, dear hubby went investigating a strange noise without so much as a baseball bat, let alone a gun. They should have written into the scenario dear hubby getting shot in the nuts so he couldn't reproduce. Knowing that there a security system in place which was likely more sensitive than his wife's ears, the logical thing would be to a) lock the bedroom door, stay put, and wait for wifey to fall asleep, or b) grab a shotgun or handgun (if not too wussified to own one) and take up a defensive position on the landing, preferably having rolled out cover - like a desk filled with lead - against a rail beforehand.

Then - get this - dear hubby runs back into the bedroom and slams the door, cutting the lights but standing at the window where he'd be seen as a black shadow, light or no. Another invitation for dear hubby to catch a chunk of lead. In the same scene, ADT operator calls and asks if everything's OK. This is kinda' pointless, isn't it? First, the time lag between the alarm and the call was too long. Not realistic, and if so, they have damned poor service. What if the phone lines had been cut?

Here's how it would work in my world, arguably the real world:

A noise wakes me up. I come awake immediately. Usually I wake immediately and feign sleep, trying to identify the source of the noise. Hand moves to bedside handgun, which is either a 1911 or a Taurus 92.

If it's anything to worry about, the dogs would be going psycho. If the poor bastard entered the house, the dogs would have a snack.

This gives me time to dial 911 on the home phone. The cell is there too in case the lines have been cut. I'd rather use a more traceable home phone though.

If the bad guy managed to off both a Yellow Lab/Husky mix and a purebred Black Lab, then I'd have reason to fear for my life. I'd probably have heard gunshots. The pistol would then become a backup weapon to my 12 gauge, which would be aimed at the door. If I had to leave the room, very bright flashlight and pistol would accompany me, and with a full expectation of a firefight, I'd leave the light off unless it was absolutely necessary. I know this house; bg doesn't.

But, I doubt I'd need to leave the room.

Does anyone know the commercial I'm talking about? What have you observed? Given the scenario in ADT's commercial, how would you handle it?

Josh <><

LarryO1970 · 03-19-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua M. Smith

Hello,

There's a commercial for ATD home security, or something along those lines.

A couple has moved into a new house and are laying in bed. The woman thinks she heard something, and the guy offers to go and check.

Man gets up and, unarmed, proceeds to the landing, looks as if he's going to start down the stairs, when *BOOM* a criminal bursts in through the front door, setting off the alarm and making dear hubby turn tail and run. Official looking dude from the security company calls, asks if everything's OK, and offers to call the police.

While I don't disagree with having a security system in general, I do have problems with the commercial.

First, the criminal had likely been watching the house for some time. He would have known it was either a) empty (remember, first night in new house for the couple) or b) would have known it was occupied. If "a," there would have been no reason to break in, and therefore, I would assume that the guy knew it was occupied.

So we have a felon who doesn't mind breaking into a house where people are sleeping. Nice. Such a criminal is probably armed as well.

Second, dear hubby went investigating a strange noise without so much as a baseball bat, let alone a gun. They should have written into the scenario dear hubby getting shot in the nuts so he couldn't reproduce. Knowing that there a security system in place which was likely more sensitive than his wife's ears, the logical thing would be to a) lock the bedroom door, stay put, and wait for wifey to fall asleep, or b) grab a shotgun or handgun (if not too wussified to own one) and take up a defensive position on the landing, preferably having rolled out cover - like a desk filled with lead - against a rail beforehand.

Then - get this - dear hubby runs back into the bedroom and slams the door, cutting the lights but standing at the window where he'd be seen as a black shadow, light or no. Another invitation for dear hubby to catch a chunk of lead. In the same scene, ADT operator calls and asks if everything's OK. This is kinda' pointless, isn't it? First, the time lag between the alarm and the call was too long. Not realistic, and if so, they have damned poor service. What if the phone lines had been cut?

Here's how it would work in my world, arguably the real world:

A noise wakes me up. I come awake immediately. Usually I wake immediately and feign sleep, trying to identify the source of the noise. Hand moves to bedside handgun, which is either a 1911 or a Taurus 92.

If it's anything to worry about, the dogs would be going psycho. If the poor bastard entered the house, the dogs would have a snack.

This gives me time to dial 911 on the home phone. The cell is there too in case the lines have been cut. I'd rather use a more traceable home phone though.

If the bad guy managed to off both a Yellow Lab/Husky mix and a purebred Black Lab, then I'd have reason to fear for my life. I'd probably have heard gunshots. The pistol would then become a backup weapon to my 12 gauge, which would be aimed at the door. If I had to leave the room, very bright flashlight and pistol would accompany me, and with a full expectation of a firefight, I'd leave the light off unless it was absolutely necessary. I know this house; bg doesn't.

But, I doubt I'd need to leave the room.

Does anyone know the commercial I'm talking about? What have you observed? Given the scenario in ADT's commercial, how would you handle it?

Josh <><

Yeah... saw that earlier today. My thoughts:

The intruder would not come in through the front door in a smash & crab mission. If it were true, the homeowner would probably not hear them come into the house or even know they are there.

Yes, the "husband" showed no signs of defending his family other than closing the door.

If that guy meant harm, by the time ADT called the police, they got to the location and moved into the house to check to see if it was a false alarm, they'd walk up to a dead family. My opinion, alarms are great and all... but you are in charge of your family and your own protection.

Oh yeah... gotta remember to arm the alarm system for it to work.

If that were my house... if I was home or not, there would be one dead perp lying at the bottom of the stairs if he meant us any harm. My wife is a shooter too.

Anyone else see anything ?

Shaun · 03-19-2008, 07:09 PM

I have seen it and an alarm is only a deterant not to mention the hubby in question is a coward to not have investigated without some sort of defensive weapon.

mitch_mckee · 03-19-2008, 07:13 PM

What annoys me about the commercial is the guy cowers over by the window while the Mrs. answers the ADT call. I'd have liked it better if he had pulled out the shotgun and went to guard his broken door.

I guess we can't have such self reliance promoted in prime time TV.

LarryO1970 · 03-19-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun

I have seen it and an alarm is only a deterant not to mention the hubby in question is a coward to not have investigated without some sort of defensive weapon.

Now, I would not go so far as to call him a coward (strong word, man...) but I'd have to say he was grossly unprepared. Being woken up out of a dead sleep, people react differently. Some come up with a plan, others have no idea who or where they are... it's a conditioned response.

If I'm stirred to something going "bump" in the night, knowing I have animals in the house... but I'm keenly aware of it but not feeling the need to spring into action. I will lay there listening... for anything that indicates it is not "welcome".

If it is determined to be anything else... someone will have a Benelli M2 jammed in their face... with a newly formed trickle running down their leg.

Homey don't play that way...

Shaun · 03-19-2008, 08:08 PM

The way I see it anyone coming to my door after 9pm is going to be greeted muzzle first . NOw I can go back several years when I was woke up one night by the dogs out back barking and when I looked out of the bedroom I saw light coming from in front of the house into the front windows. I grabbed the 45 and went to the door looked through the little window and saw a car in the drive. what I did not see was the guy standing right in a blind spot. I opened the door with a wide stance to get a wide look around and sure enough the laser sight was on the chest of a guy standing in an area where he could have easily taken me from behind had I burst out the door. As he looked down the muzzle he claimed to need gas to go into the hospital I told him to leave and he quickly ran away to the car and left fast.

TXplt · 03-19-2008, 08:25 PM

Our security system is intended to give us notice to arm up and get the cops rolling. They're very good, but I believe it'd be well over by the time they got here one way or another.

Deersniper · 03-19-2008, 09:43 PM

I used to install alarms systems, from home to industrial with conduit systems. The new trend is now that they see your sign of which company your with, pull out their "manual" which tells them how to defeat that specific system. Then they know what they are dealing with. It's all figured out in prison! Do NOT put a sign out with the company name on it, just a sign that says the premise is protected by an electronic alarm and video surveillance. Or swap signs with your neighbor or friend so they don't know which system you have. The signs will give them the edge! So that commercial is stupid.

TXplt · 03-19-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deersniper

I used to install alarms systems, from home to industrial with conduit systems. The new trend is now that they see your sign of which company your with, pull out their "manual" which tells them how to defeat that specific system. Then they know what they are dealing with. It's all figured out in prison! Do NOT put a sign out with the company name on it, just a sign that says the premise is protected by an electronic alarm and video surveillance. Or swap signs with your neighbor or friend so they don't know which system you have. The signs will give them the edge! So that commercial is stupid.

I think this is really good advice. Just like leaving things which can ID you in your car, etc. Better to be underestimated.

GlockMeister · 03-19-2008, 11:54 PM

Just one of those try and scare you into buying a security system is all those are. I prefer a Smith and Wesson security package. Or even the Mossberg 500 security package. But not the ATD package. I don't know about anyone else on here, or in the U.S. in general, but I don't need nor can I afford another monthly bill. lol

mitch_mckee · 03-20-2008, 09:52 AM

Here is my security system. May not look like mutch. These dogs don't bite but they do have a good roar of a bark.

DSC07909.jpg

DSC08211.JPG

LarryO1970 · 03-20-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Just one of those try and scare you into buying a security system is all those are. I prefer a Smith and Wesson security package. Or even the Mossberg 500 security package. But not the ATD package. I don't know about anyone else on here, or in the U.S. in general, but I don't need nor can I afford another monthly bill. lol

... my 12 GA is not that expensive to feed, nor is my .40 cal. ... and it is not necessary to feed them monthly either.

CrazyIvan · 03-20-2008, 01:28 PM

I've seen it, and think it is stupid.

I've also seen others, like the one where the husband leaves in the car, and the runner bends down to tie his shoes, after the husband rounds the corner, the runner sprints up the sidewalk to the house and kicks in the door, the wife is in the kitchen and turns to look. The guy didn't even go in the house before turning & running. Right as he turns & runs, the phone rings: "This is ADT, are you alright?" lol, really cheasy commercials playing the scare monger card.

The fact is, if you are unarmed and unprepared to defend yourself in the moment, you are a victim to the intruder's will until police show up and perhaps after if pushed to a hostage situation. That leaves a lot of time to get dead.

tlarkin · 03-20-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

... my 12 GA is not that expensive to feed, nor is my .40 cal. ... and it is not necessary to feed them monthly either.

Your gun won't fetch your newspaper or keep you company. Dogs offer more than security.

However, Larry, that shogun is nice. Semi Auto? What brand, and what are your feelings about it? I am looking to get a shotgun soon, and yours is a nice looking shotgun.

I was looking into a Mossberg 500 Tactical, but not sold on it 100% yet.

just_a_car · 03-20-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

Your gun won't fetch your newspaper or keep you company. Dogs offer more than security.

However, Larry, that shogun is nice. Semi Auto? What brand, and what are your feelings about it? I am looking to get a shotgun soon, and yours is a nice looking shotgun.

I was looking into a Mossberg 500 Tactical, but not sold on it 100% yet.

tlarkin, he mentioned it in the post with the picture; it's a Benelli M2, likely the "tactical" rather than the "field" model; it is indeed semi-auto.

tlarkin · 03-20-2008, 02:51 PM

ok apparently I can't read. I have seen a lot of benelli used in swat and military games. Never fired one personally, but I bet it is a pretty kick ass shotgun

jashoffa · 03-20-2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Your gun won't fetch your newspaper or keep you company.

Guns may not fetch your news paper, my dog will not do that any way, but they do keep me company (in their own way)!

mitch_mckee · 03-20-2008, 04:33 PM

Dogs are the alarm system. Weapons are part of the alarm response system.

LarryO1970 · 03-20-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

Your gun won't fetch your newspaper or keep you company. Dogs offer more than security.

However, Larry, that shogun is nice. Semi Auto? What brand, and what are your feelings about it? I am looking to get a shotgun soon, and yours is a nice looking shotgun.

I was looking into a Mossberg 500 Tactical, but not sold on it 100% yet.

Yeah ... have a dog too... although, she'd rather eat the newspaper than give it to me. Can't give away all my trade secrets. It is a Benelli M2 Tactical ... semi-auto shotgun and accepts up to 3" shells. There is one on GunBroker.Com Auction # 94953878 for $700.00 currently. I paid 850.00 for mine in the box.

It's a sweet shotgun, you can empty it as fast as you can pull the trigger and it does have the ghost ring sights... which I highly recommend.

soonerborn · 03-20-2008, 06:50 PM

Here is a security ad you might like better.

Horror Film Guns Commerical

03-19-2008, 05:50 PM	#1
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 381	Real Life vs. Security System Commercials Hello, There's a commercial for ATD home security, or something along those lines. A couple has moved into a new house and are laying in bed. The woman thinks she heard something, and the guy offers to go and check. Man gets up and, unarmed, proceeds to the landing, looks as if he's going to start down the stairs, when BOOM a criminal bursts in through the front door, setting off the alarm and making dear hubby turn tail and run. Official looking dude from the security company calls, asks if everything's OK, and offers to call the police. While I don't disagree with having a security system in general, I do have problems with the commercial. First, the criminal had likely been watching the house for some time. He would have known it was either a) empty (remember, first night in new house for the couple) or b) would have known it was occupied. If "a," there would have been no reason to break in, and therefore, I would assume that the guy knew it was occupied. So we have a felon who doesn't mind breaking into a house where people are sleeping. Nice. Such a criminal is probably armed as well. Second, dear hubby went investigating a strange noise without so much as a baseball bat, let alone a gun. They should have written into the scenario dear hubby getting shot in the nuts so he couldn't reproduce. Knowing that there a security system in place which was likely more sensitive than his wife's ears, the logical thing would be to a) lock the bedroom door, stay put, and wait for wifey to fall asleep, or b) grab a shotgun or handgun (if not too wussified to own one) and take up a defensive position on the landing, preferably having rolled out cover - like a desk filled with lead - against a rail beforehand. Then - get this - dear hubby runs back into the bedroom and slams the door, cutting the lights but standing at the window where he'd be seen as a black shadow, light or no. Another invitation for dear hubby to catch a chunk of lead. In the same scene, ADT operator calls and asks if everything's OK. This is kinda' pointless, isn't it? First, the time lag between the alarm and the call was too long. Not realistic, and if so, they have damned poor service. What if the phone lines had been cut? Here's how it would work in my world, arguably the real world: A noise wakes me up. I come awake immediately. Usually I wake immediately and feign sleep, trying to identify the source of the noise. Hand moves to bedside handgun, which is either a 1911 or a Taurus 92. If it's anything to worry about, the dogs would be going psycho. If the poor bastard entered the house, the dogs would have a snack. This gives me time to dial 911 on the home phone. The cell is there too in case the lines have been cut. I'd rather use a more traceable home phone though. If the bad guy managed to off both a Yellow Lab/Husky mix and a purebred Black Lab, then I'd have reason to fear for my life. I'd probably have heard gunshots. The pistol would then become a backup weapon to my 12 gauge, which would be aimed at the door. If I had to leave the room, very bright flashlight and pistol would accompany me, and with a full expectation of a firefight, I'd leave the light off unless it was absolutely necessary. I know this house; bg doesn't. But, I doubt I'd need to leave the room. Does anyone know the commercial I'm talking about? What have you observed? Given the scenario in ADT's commercial, how would you handle it? Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

03-19-2008, 07:09 PM	#3
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	I have seen it and an alarm is only a deterant not to mention the hubby in question is a coward to not have investigated without some sort of defensive weapon. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

03-19-2008, 08:08 PM	#6
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	The way I see it anyone coming to my door after 9pm is going to be greeted muzzle first . NOw I can go back several years when I was woke up one night by the dogs out back barking and when I looked out of the bedroom I saw light coming from in front of the house into the front windows. I grabbed the 45 and went to the door looked through the little window and saw a car in the drive. what I did not see was the guy standing right in a blind spot. I opened the door with a wide stance to get a wide look around and sure enough the laser sight was on the chest of a guy standing in an area where he could have easily taken me from behind had I burst out the door. As he looked down the muzzle he claimed to need gas to go into the hospital I told him to leave and he quickly ran away to the car and left fast. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

03-19-2008, 08:25 PM	#7
TXplt Lost in the Ozone Again Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,827 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	Our security system is intended to give us notice to arm up and get the cops rolling. They're very good, but I believe it'd be well over by the time they got here one way or another. __________________ Old fighter pilots never die.....They just wind up in Texas

03-19-2008, 09:43 PM	#8
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,685	Alarm systems I used to install alarms systems, from home to industrial with conduit systems. The new trend is now that they see your sign of which company your with, pull out their "manual" which tells them how to defeat that specific system. Then they know what they are dealing with. It's all figured out in prison! Do NOT put a sign out with the company name on it, just a sign that says the premise is protected by an electronic alarm and video surveillance. Or swap signs with your neighbor or friend so they don't know which system you have. The signs will give them the edge! So that commercial is stupid.

03-19-2008, 07:13 PM	#4
mitch_mckee Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,085 Images: 3	What annoys me about the commercial is the guy cowers over by the window while the Mrs. answers the ADT call. I'd have liked it better if he had pulled out the shotgun and went to guard his broken door. I guess we can't have such self reliance promoted in prime time TV.

03-19-2008, 11:54 PM	#10
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,478	Just one of those try and scare you into buying a security system is all those are. I prefer a Smith and Wesson security package. Or even the Mossberg 500 security package. But not the ATD package. I don't know about anyone else on here, or in the U.S. in general, but I don't need nor can I afford another monthly bill. lol __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-20-2008, 09:52 AM	#11
mitch_mckee Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,085 Images: 3	Here is my security system. May not look like mutch. These dogs don't bite but they do have a good roar of a bark. DSC07909.jpg DSC08211.JPG

03-20-2008, 01:28 PM	#13
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	I've seen it, and think it is stupid. I've also seen others, like the one where the husband leaves in the car, and the runner bends down to tie his shoes, after the husband rounds the corner, the runner sprints up the sidewalk to the house and kicks in the door, the wife is in the kitchen and turns to look. The guy didn't even go in the house before turning & running. Right as he turns & runs, the phone rings: "This is ADT, are you alright?" lol, really cheasy commercials playing the scare monger card. The fact is, if you are unarmed and unprepared to defend yourself in the moment, you are a victim to the intruder's will until police show up and perhaps after if pushed to a hostage situation. That leaves a lot of time to get dead. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

03-20-2008, 02:51 PM	#16
tlarkin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,579	ok apparently I can't read. I have seen a lot of benelli used in swat and military games. Never fired one personally, but I bet it is a pretty kick ass shotgun

03-20-2008, 04:33 PM	#18
mitch_mckee Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,085 Images: 3	Dogs are the alarm system. Weapons are part of the alarm response system.