We used the “best security” company in our area for about 4 months @ RD $8,000 per month, night shift only. ENOUGH was just that.... they fired. We would get a good guy that did a good job and made the hourly rounds and logged in at each post. He left after a couple of weeks. Then a new guy and new supervisor that didn't know the routine. I had to a new one every couple of days. I talked to the big boss and asked to see the rounds log in sheet.... Ahhhh. The system is broken.
I would get up in the middle of the night and find them sleeping, not making their rounds. Late show ups so that we would have to wait for them and making us late for evenings out with others.
One night; 4 dogs barking and gun shots outside our gate. The guard slept thou the whole thing. The company wanted to switch guards so started shooting off rounds. How smart was that? I fired the company the next morning. I'd rather depend on myself and my own systems then go thru that again.
Lots has been written about this and I learned and put some in.
Automatic night security lights. (I didn't put in the movement sensors because of dogs.)
Electric front gate and garage door.
Cheap do it myself alarm system.
Dogs.
Razor wire on some walls with thorny bougainvillea growing on it to cover the razor wire.
Other thorny plants worked into our landscaping.
Cameras. Some work and some fake. All need power so the little red power light and night light works.
Reinforced doors with keyed deadbolts or quick slide bolts.
A couple of iron gate doors/windows at higher risk points
A “safe” room AND escape plans.
Cell phone in the 'safe” room with all the needed numbers. (don't depend on help)
Car alarm fob in “safe” room to set that off car alarm and lights.
Pepper spray, a hunting knife, a throwing ax are hidden here and there.
Double pain windows/sliders with safety glass; hard to break.
Bright... VERY BRIGHT flashlights.
My buddy “Bob”.... 9mm at my side 24/7. And anyone that lives or works around us knows it.
Sounds like a lot and would cost a lot. Not so much in the long run and..... I don't have to worry about the security guy getting a goods night sleep......... or planning to rob you as is usually the case.
And NO, we do not look like a prison. Most things no one notices UNLESS they are looking for them and that is what we want. We have had attempted robberies, but they never even got onto our property or over the walls.