in_the_media
The hidden social costs of home security systems' false alarms
Posted Apr 3, 2012
Media Outlet:
American Public Media's "Marketplace"
When home security systems send out an alarm, most of the time — in fact, as much as 99 percent of the time — it's a false alarm. Temple economist Simon Hakim joined "Marketplace" to discuss the hidden social costs of false alarms. According to Hakim, U.S. police respond to more than 35 million alarm activations annually. "Most of the time, it's not a burglar that came to your house, but it's false activation," said Hakim. "So the 94-99 percent, you get a personal (police) service. It's not enhancing in any way or form the security of the community."