Find the Best Home Security Systems in San Diego, CA

Property crime and home alarm systems in San Diego

The crime rate in San Diego is higher than the national average and, though the rate is actually lower than similarly sized U.S. cities, the majority of crimes committed in San Diego are property crimes. 10News reported in July 2018 that security cameras at two El Cajon homes captured the same person stealing packages from porches.

Crime in San Diego varies by neighborhood. Mission Hills, while it rates among the area’s safer neighborhoods, is located in central San Diego near downtown, where crime rates are higher. Growing communities in Otay Mesa also rank as very safe while areas of neighboring San Ysidro report higher crime rates.

The Automated Regional Justice Information System website tracks crimes for different regions of San Diego County. For analysis by neighborhood, visit the City of San Diego’s crime statistics page.

Property crime statistics in San Diego:

Though San Diego has seen a general decrease in crime, a two percent uptick in robberies from 2016 to 2017 underscores the importance of protecting your family and property with a home security system.

False alarm fines for home security systems in San Diego

Unfortunately, most calls from home security monitoring companies are false alarms. The San Diego Police Department spends approximately 20,000 hours per year responding to false alarms, costing nearly $2 million. As a result, the City of San Diego charges fines for false alarms.

Cost of false alarm fines in San Diego:

• $100 - 1st false alarm
• $200 - 2nd false alarm
• +$100 - each additional false alarm, up to $500 in the same year
• $300 - police response to a false alarm without a permit

Permits required for home alarm systems

Permits to register new home security systems in San Diego cost $10 per year. El Cajon and Oceanside do not charge fees for residential security systems while Chula Vista charges $28.75 per year. All systems require registration to ensure police response.

DIY/wireless vs. professional installation

Customers have the option to choose DIY home alarm systems or professional installation. For the tech-savvy and confident, DIY installation would be a great option. Additionally, these simple systems, with wireless security cameras and motion detectors, are perfect for apartment renters or those who expect to move.If you’d prefer to leave it to a technician, find a company that offers professional installation. You’ll be confident that everything was correctly set up and customized to your home

Residents of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods, like La Jolla or South Park, might prefer wireless security cameras to ensure preservation of the architectural features of their homes. If you live in a recently built suburb like Eastlake or Carmel Valley, your home is probably equally well suited for DIY home security or professional installation.