Having an alarm company watch out for your security and safety is not just a hardware decision. It’s about peace of mind.

Numerous local, independent alarm companies over the past decades have offered security to Calgarians, but most of them are gone or have been swallowed up by multi-national conglomerates. Too often, the individuals monitoring signs of trouble at your house or business in Dalhousie or Signal Hill might not have a clue where those communities are.

It’s one reason why United Security, a locally owned company since 1990, has a loyal, growing customer base. Its employees are Calgarians, with families and homes in the city. They know it as well as their own backyard.

And residents across the city recognize and respect United, thanks to its familiar stop-sign-shaped logo on thousands of lawns and business entrances.

Troy deJong and United Security bring peace of mind, and protection against crime and fires, to businesses and homeowners.

Crooks know that sign, too.

One break-and-enter artist charged with more than 60 burglaries in Calgary boasted in court he could bypass most alarm systems – except those installed by United Security.

Soon after, two of the lawyers involved in the case called United to order home-security systems.

“About 90 per cent of the people who get alarm systems do it for the peace of mind,” says Troy deJong, who heads United’s new Access Control and Camera Surveillance division.

“And when they’re dealing with a Calgary company, they’re aware that our people know this city, its crime levels and the habits of local criminals. We focus on Calgary and its specific security issues, and offer superior customer service.

“It’s a rarity these days to have that kind of knowledge and experience in the industry, and our customers feel secure with us.”

Combined with that expertise is United’s long-held commitment to staying abreast of cutting-edge technology. deJong recently returned from the United States, where he attended a conference and met with major manufacturers and suppliers of security and fire-monitoring equipment.

There is a complex array of hardware on the North American market, including digital video surveillance and recording equipment. Hundreds of different manufacturers supply it.

Many alarm companies have a tendency to limit their options for customers, in order to minimize their inventory and training obligations for staff.

“The question is,” deJong says, “do you just sell one item because it’s the only one that you know, or are you capable of designing and building what the customer really needs?”

For 14 years, United Security has been asking such questions and recognizing that customers’ needs vary. It was a local pioneer, for example, in offering free alarms as part of an annual or multi-year contract.

When competitors charged upwards of $1,000 just to put their alarm system in, United spread the cost over the duration of a contract, allowing homeowners and businesses to get their security for as little as $19.95 a month in a one-year deal. That rate still stands, and goes up to $29.95 a month depending on options.

United’s competitive rates are partly due to its efficient financing, which doesn’t involve sending money out of the country to some distant head office.

“We do our own financing,” says founder Vince Aiello. “We don’t use a finance company, or an out-of-province finance company. We believe in supporting the local economy.”

During an expansion last year, United created its new systems division after hiring deJong, who had worked for an alarm-system wholesaler and was thoroughly knowledgeable in the business.

The division concentrates on the commercial side and on large buildings, including multi-family residential complexes. It offers video surveillance, digital video surveillance, access control, ULC (Underwriters’ Laboratory of Canada) fire systems and building integration systems.

The video surveillance packages are aimed at the prevention of customer theft, employee theft and vandalism.

Access control allows a business owner or manager to monitor and limit the coming and going of employees at odd hours.

The system replaces front-door keys – which can be copied or lost – with magnetic cards that can be rendered useless at the click of a button.

One of United Security’s biggest draws for customers is its ULC-approved fire-monitoring system. Tied to smoke detectors, the system alerts United’s monitoring centre at the first sign of flames or smoke. Once it’s quickly confirmed as a real fire, United contacts the fire department.

Such a response can save lives if a resident has been overcome by smoke, and it saves property, even when a building is empty of residents or employees.

“The fire department has great response rates, but they can’t respond until someone calls them,” says deJong. “If you have a monitored alarm and you succumb to the smoke, at least you know someone is responding to that alarm.”

For further information, telephone 403.261.8838 or go to www.calgaryalarm.com or www.unitedalarm.ca.