Brief History - part 2

In the 1980’s, big changes began to take place.  Until now, home owners with alarm systems had simple systems with on-site sirens and most were not monitored by central stations.  Many were installed by the home owner themselves.  The private companies with the central stations now began to monitor fire alarms as well as burglar alarms.  At this time, the home owner was marketed and approached by companies providing central station monitoring.  Now, homes across the country began to benefit from monitoring services. The cost of new home security systems were offset by the home owner signing multiyear contracts for home monitoring. By the 1990’s, new technology provided for the ability to monitor medical alert signals, possible water and gas leaks, and thermostat controls.  Also, the perfecting of modern communications allowed for monitoring stations that could provide service for homes in states hundreds of miles away.  Soon, alarm monitoring represented the third largest use of information services over telephone lines.  Growth was fueled by the increasing fear of crime and insurance companies began to reduce home owner policy premiums.  By the year 2000, the home security business with homes being monitored by central stations was and continues to be one of the fastest growing industries in the United States.  Studies up to recent times have proven that homes with monitored alarm systems have a much lower probability of being broken in to.