We just got robbed.

[Guest TheBushpig]

So I just woke up thinking "that's early for my wife to be packing her laptop bag". Wife was still sleeping, I walk into my lounge, pass our baby's room and hear noises in the entrance hall - which is quite normal when you have a cat. Except the cat was also sleeping. Got to the front door, nothing. Am listening to the birds tweeting. Unusual, I think, why can I hear the birds? Cause the entire window next to the door was gone, neatly removed. I call ADT. Turn back, wife ok, kiddo ok, laptop gone. Ten minutes later no ADT still, I scream and shout at them and call the police. They arrive before ADT does. We realize what else is gone (bag, my wallet, a briefcase where I had prepared all passports, residence permit, ID's, birth and marriage certificates to take to the dept of home affairs today to apply for my son's first real passport). FNB cancels all cards and already advises when and where my new ones arrive. Absa refuses to issue new card to my wife without ID. ADT dude is still apologizing for getting lost, and not being able to write, while police have already SMSed case number. The window is next to a brand new ADT fitted outside beam - not even 50cm. Not sure how that didn't go off.

Feeling bleek this morning. Failed to keep my cave safe. And it's cold, the freezing draft taking my mojo out.

 

This a very k*k experience; sorry to hear about it. I've gone through something similar quite recently and I can say that there is merit in the advice to get some professional help to deal with the trauma. I did not do so, and carry the bees in my head, which is not cool and it interferes with your normal day to day functioning. Being a victim of a crime does not mean that you failed to keep your cave safe. I am glad that you and/or your family were not harmed physically; it does not make you less of a victim but it is a small silver lining to an unpleasant experience. Sterkte vir jou.

[TNT1]

@OP, did they steal the window pane as well, or can you get some putty and stick it back in?

[stringbean]

Sorry a bit off topic but thinking of installing those outside beams and looking for advice.What works,what is a waste of time?

[Stretch]

So I just woke up thinking "that's early for my wife to be packing her laptop bag". Wife was still sleeping, I walk into my lounge, pass our baby's room and hear noises in the entrance hall - which is quite normal when you have a cat. Except the cat was also sleeping. Got to the front door, nothing. Am listening to the birds tweeting. Unusual, I think, why can I hear the birds? Cause the entire window next to the door was gone, neatly removed. I call ADT. Turn back, wife ok, kiddo ok, laptop gone. Ten minutes later no ADT still, I scream and shout at them and call the police. They arrive before ADT does. We realize what else is gone (bag, my wallet, a briefcase where I had prepared all passports, residence permit, ID's, birth and marriage certificates to take to the dept of home affairs today to apply for my son's first real passport). FNB cancels all cards and already advises when and where my new ones arrive. Absa refuses to issue new card to my wife without ID. ADT dude is still apologizing for getting lost, and not being able to write, while police have already SMSed case number. The window is next to a brand new ADT fitted outside beam - not even 50cm. Not sure how that didn't go off.

Feeling bleek this morning. Failed to keep my cave safe. And it's cold, the freezing draft taking my mojo out.

 

that sucks and I am glad you are safe....but i did enjoy how you rather subtly recommended to people that ADT is less than useless and rather bank with FNB vs Absa...

[Scott2luvit]

check if your signal cable was cut, while your at it, put some beams in the sealing / roof as well

[cajohnston]

So I just woke up thinking "that's early for my wife to be packing her laptop bag". Wife was still sleeping, I walk into my lounge, pass our baby's room and hear noises in the entrance hall - which is quite normal when you have a cat. Except the cat was also sleeping. Got to the front door, nothing. Am listening to the birds tweeting. Unusual, I think, why can I hear the birds? Cause the entire window next to the door was gone, neatly removed. I call ADT. Turn back, wife ok, kiddo ok, laptop gone. Ten minutes later no ADT still, I scream and shout at them and call the police. They arrive before ADT does. We realize what else is gone (bag, my wallet, a briefcase where I had prepared all passports, residence permit, ID's, birth and marriage certificates to take to the dept of home affairs today to apply for my son's first real passport). FNB cancels all cards and already advises when and where my new ones arrive. Absa refuses to issue new card to my wife without ID. ADT dude is still apologizing for getting lost, and not being able to write, while police have already SMSed case number. The window is next to a brand new ADT fitted outside beam - not even 50cm. Not sure how that didn't go off.

Feeling bleek this morning. Failed to keep my cave safe. And it's cold, the freezing draft taking my mojo out.

 

Sorry to hear man and so glad you and the family are okay. It is a pain, but the material things can be replaced and life can't so glad you were all unharmed!

[ibruegge]

Sorry a bit off topic but thinking of installing those outside beams and looking for advice.What works,what is a waste of time?

the beam will only be as good as the armed response reacting to its signal, sadly. ADT sent a technician in the morning because I questioned how the beam could not pick up a burglar taking out a window right in front of it. They can only give me feedback on Friday. they can also only give me feedback on Friday as to why their response time was 20 minutes. I think I made up my mind on not relying on them any longer.

[Eddy Gordo]

Sorry to hear man. I also have outside beams and I test them regularly, just to make sure they work and that sniper will call me

[Mojoman]

the beam will only be as good as the armed response reacting to its signal, sadly. ADT sent a technician in the morning because I questioned how the beam could not pick up a burglar taking out a window right in front of it. They can only give me feedback on Friday. they can also only give me feedback on Friday as to why their response time was 20 minutes. I think I made up my mind on not relying on them any longer.

Once again pure tardiness from a company, one that should be priding itself on quick response times, they are after all a 'security company'!

They should be sorting you out pronto, not only for your safety's sake but to save face as well! I cant believe how we are treated as consumers sometimes, the clowns fall over themselves selling you a product/service but when things go wrong, oh boy, then no-one knows how to do anything anymore!

[HandH]

Really like the Gatling Gun!

"In 1861 Doctor Richard Gatling patented the Gatling Gun believing it would bring an end to bloodshed."

 

.....

.....

 

Riiiiight....

 

Boet with a gatling gun the blood doesn't shed...............

the s#1t splatters...................

[Eddy Gordo]

Sorry man, slight hijack, I had these beams installed after guys were constantly jumping into my yard. I installed the beams and the same weekend someone jumped in. I actually woke up to watch the whole incident ESP or somthing lol. I watched how the guy peeked his head above the wall, looking to see if it was safe, took him about a min, he jumped over, before his feet touched the ground, the lights went on the alarm was screaming. Infact he got such a fright he ran straight into the wall before he made it over for his escape. That moment was very funny and upsetting for me. I have since added spikes to the wall and havent had an incident 4 years later, thank GOD

[Wannabe]

Friend of mine who had his own Security company, also had the beams in his roof together with his own design pepper spray thingamabob. Long story short, they broke in through the roof by removing tiles, but the pepper spray got them good. One chap actually fell through the ceiling where the pepper spray on the inside was activated and he got a second dose. Was hilarious to watch him on the CCTV trying to open a window to get out / fresh air.

 

Turns out they were contractors who helped him re thatch his Lapa.

 

As an aside, I cancelled my contract with Chubb after they failed to notice that no signal was sent to them for a few months, after I reported to them that it seems that there is a problem with my alarm (activated it by accident, reset on the keypad, but no call from their Control room.) I phoned them and was told that if I reset on the keypad they do not phone to find out if all is OK.

Went over to ADT, new radio and antennaewas installed, Alarm now working 100%.

I get a SMS every month reminding me to test my alarm. I phone the Control Room, they put the alarm in test mode, I go around testing all the contacts and PIR's. As I test the alarm, I receive an SMS for every PIR or contact tested. That way I can see if all is OK with system. After a set period I receive another SMS with a short test report.

Now that is service. Chubb did not bother to contact me to once in more than a year I had a contract with them.

[ibruegge]

Friend of mine who had his own Security company, also had the beams in his roof together with his own design pepper spray thingamabob. Long story short, they broke in through the roof by removing tiles, but the pepper spray got them good. One chap actually fell through the ceiling where the pepper spray on the inside was activated and he got a second dose. Was hilarious to watch him on the CCTV trying to open a window to get out / fresh air.

 

Turns out they were contractors who helped him re thatch his Lapa.

 

As an aside, I cancelled my contract with Chubb after they failed to notice that no signal was sent to them for a few months, after I reported to them that it seems that there is a problem with my alarm (activated it by accident, reset on the keypad, but no call from their Control room.) I phoned them and was told that if I reset on the keypad they do not phone to find out if all is OK.

Went over to ADT, new radio and antennaewas installed, Alarm now working 100%.

I get a SMS every month reminding me to test my alarm. I phone the Control Room, they put the alarm in test mode, I go around testing all the contacts and PIR's. As I test the alarm, I receive an SMS for every PIR or contact tested. That way I can see if all is OK with system. After a set period I receive another SMS with a short test report.

Now that is service. Chubb did not bother to contact me to once in more than a year I had a contract with them.

 

All great in theory. But you should test if your local ADT dude actually knows your street name. I told them about the robbery while the guys were still in my house. It took ADT 20 minutes to get there - "he got lost because he's new to the area". maybe don't warn them when you test the system and do a reality check. Preferably at 4 in the morning. Let us know how it went!

[Wannabe]

My wife actually forgot to cancell the alarm on past Saturday morning (I was out cycling). ADT phoned me, but as i was cycling, I did not answer. They then phoned her to enquire and she told them it was an false alarm. About 10 min later she noticed the ADT vehicle outside in the street. He did not get out at all, but he was there.

I was also told that should we get enought ADT customers in our street (a Cul de Sac), they can actually arange for a Patrol man on a bicycle to patrol our area. I'm quite partial to this idea, as we had a few break-ins in our street the last few months, but not one of the "victims" was an ADT customer (all Chubb or no alarms)

[SuikerBossie]

that sucks Andre! Just glad to hear that you and your family are safe.

[Stretch]

we pay 200 a month for okes to patrol out neighbourhood. Initially crime dropped significantly..but now a year or two later it is slowly increasing....think the okes are getting slack

 

as for alarm companies..i steer clear of adt, red alert, chubb etc....and we use a local company run by an ex policeman. if our alarm goes off they are there in minutes and do most things as part of their service - no call out fees etc