In an uncertain and dangerous world, home security systems give you more control over your assets. In addition to deterring crime and giving you remote access to your home, these security systems can also keep tabs on your kids, monitor smoke & gas problems and lower homeowners insurance premiums. Our partners at ConsumerAffairs researched the best home security systems in West Palm Beach, helping you rest easy, knowing that your home is protected.
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How to choose a home security system in West Palm Beach
Located in sunny South Florida, West Palm Beach can feel a lot like paradise—but it’s also got one of the highest crime rates in the nation for both violent crime and property crime. With a relatively small population of just over 108,000, the city and surrounding area have substantially higher crime rates than other places.
Burglaries per 1,000 residents
Theft per 1,000 residents
Motor vehicle theft per 1,000 residents
West Palm Beach
8.77
38.4
5.12
United States
4.69
17.45
2.37
Some of the most dangerous neighborhoods include Lake Worth and downtown West Palm Beach. While nearby areas like Northlake, Palm Beach Island and Golden Lakes all enjoy lower crime rates, they’re still above the national average. So wherever you live in Palm Beach County, a home security system can help protect you.
Home alarm permit requirements in West Palm Beach
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to acquire a permit for your home alarm system in Palm Beach. The City of West Palm Beach’s Alarm Ordinance mandates that each new alarm system is registered with the City for a fee of $25. Each registration lasts for one year and requires renewal by the first day of the City’s fiscal year (October 1st).
Alarm permits are non-transferable and a new alarm user has 30 days to register their alarm system. Failure to do so prior to a police response will result in a $50 fine for each false burglar alarm response until the permit is paid in full.
False alarm fines for security systems in Palm Beach County
Once your permit is paid, subsequent false alarms can result in further fees. While the first and second false alarms are free, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Organization imposes fines depending on how many false alarms your system has had in a given year. It’s worthwhile to have a monitored system to ensure that your mistake doesn’t result in false alarms.
Sample of costs for false alarms in Palm Beach County
Occurrence per calendar year
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
Lake Worth
1st
$0
$0
$0
2nd
$0
$0
$0
3rd
$75
$0
$50
4th
$75
$50
$50
5th
$100
$75
$75
6th
$100
$75
$100
DIY vs. professional installation in West Palm Beach
Professional installation can be worthwhile as it can keep you from having to work with complicated technology and ensures that you don’t set anything up incorrectly. Newer homes with simpler wiring tend to be best for professionally installed systems.
For homes with older wiring like those located in the historic district or Lake Worth (where some homes date back to the 1940’s), DIY installation is the best option. DIY home security systems have wireless cameras and monitoring devices, which makes installation less intrusive to older homes.
Keep in mind, most companies only offer one installation option, so decide whether or not you’d like DIY or professional installation before choosing a home security provider.
Using ADT’s advanced equipment and 24/7 monitoring, Protect Your Home systems include ADT motion sensors and a touchpad supporting 40 sensors and voice command. The first layer of defense is ADT’s blue lawn and window sign that’s an instant turn-off to criminals. Installation is often within 24 hours. Company technicians (not contractors) get glowing reviews for their professionalism and clarity in setting up the system.
Vivint offers high-tech home security with smart home controls for the ultra-modern “total package” solution. Their next-generation solution allows you to keep tabs on everything from your doorbell camera to your home thermostat—ensuring your A/C keeps running during those balmy Florida summers. Vivint is especially popular with tech-savvy users and millennials.
Protect America offers one of the most flexible solutions for home security on the market today. In addition to 24/7 live video monitoring with wireless security systems, Protect America allows for customizable DIY installation with professional monitoring that can send West Palm Beach police to your home at a moment’s notice.
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CSI Palm Beach
CSI Palm Beach is a local provider with stellar ratings for both their security systems and tech services like cloud data backup. With a personal touch to their customer service and a unique appreciation of Palm Beach County’s local architecture and neighborhoods, CSI Palm Beach could be the right choice for owners of older homes or less tech-friendly users.
Security Camera Team
Security Camera Team is a local provider that focuses on CCTV and live monitoring services. With a local sensibility for the needs of South Florida consumers, they’re especially popular among small business owners and older Palm Beach County residents. Security Camera Team has developed an especially strong reputation among reviewers in West Palm Beach for great customer service and reliability.
Cove Security
Cove offers professional-grade DIY home alarms that are fast and easy to install. Cove’s wireless home security system requires no contract and comes with a money-back guarantee. Design your home security package online and have it shipped the next day. Reviewers give Cove high marks for customer satisfaction and affordability.
Our partners independently research and analyze the companies mentioned in our guides and work with subject matter experts to add valuable information that helps consumers make smart purchase decisions. Our partners will not include companies on these guides that do not meet specific quality standards. The compensation we receive from our partners may impact how and where companies appear on our site, including the order in which they appear.
Our partners independently research companies, and use editorial discretion to award companies with special recognition (i.e. Best Value) based on their staff’s judgement or subject matter expert’s judgement. Our partners do this to help you identify companies that will meet your specific buying needs, and do not receive compensation for these designations.
