Central Security and Communications

Absolutely terrible company. Their equipment is old and does not function well. Unless I am standing directly next to the alarm panel, I cannot hear when the alarm has gone off. When I am upstairs at night, I have no idea if my alarm is going off. If I can't trust an alarm system to even wake me up when someone breaks into my house, then it has failed at its job. They lock you into long-term contracts (3 years) that will auto-renew for another 3 years unless you cancel before hand. There isn't even an option for early termination. Staff is difficult to reach. They even charge a higher monthly rate than many other companies. Overall, I am extremely disappointed with every aspect of this company, and would recommend literally any other security company over them.

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We contacted Mark French from Central Security using their local company number to inquire about changing from an existing, out-of-date, system, to a current, modern system for an existing home that we had purchased.. Mark was one of three vendors to come to our home. Each of the local security vendors we interviewed for our custom installation was represented on Angie's list. Of the three vendors, Central Security very clearly had the longest track record in monitoring, as well as a technologically superior monitoring facility locally. We were very interested in a local service both for the purposes of monitoring, and for local support and service over time. In our former homes, outside of the Indianapolis area, we have utilized local monitoring companies as opposed to national companies in order to achieve excellent service. Mr. French, from CSC sales, arrived at our home promptly and was extremely professional with his evaluation of our security needs, as well as providing examples of current local client installations and an excellent explanation of the services provided by Central Security. He was well-versed with the options his company provided. Their company monitors both residential homes, as well as many local businesses. We requested very specific equipment, monitoring options, and service requirements. He was able to deliver appropriate options for each of our requests, and had clearly been working in this industry for a time appropriate to do an excellent job discussing options with clients. The quote provided was accurate and reflective of the custom installation required in our home. It was competitive with other quotes we received. I have personally installed security systems and in been involved in many wiring projects over time. The quote provided was appropriate, accurate, and was reflected in our ultimate charges for the installation. There were no attempts to over or undersell the job. The equipment quoted was current and top-of-the line in the industry. The installer, Erik, was, in a word, outstanding. He had clearly been doing this for many years. He was professional and courteous. He took the time to make sure that the installation was performed in a clean and professional manner. The security keypads and monitoring equipment were carefully tested and existing wiring and equipment was used whenever possible. He carefully explained what he was doing along the way and personally provided excellent feedback mechanisms including his contact number, for us to call him with questions and concerns. Installation in our home, as expected, required several days. He was careful to let us know when he would be present, and was courteous with our children and pets. His installation was clean, and he took the time to make sure that each of the devices installed was well fitted with an excellent and professional appearance. The company has been great to work with since the installation was completed. We have had no false alarms related to faulty equipment. Any questions or modifications required have been promptly addressed. We are extremely satisfied customers, and would certainly recommend this company to those interested in a quality, local company that provides excellent equipment, and more than anything, outstanding service.

Performed maintenance on an older Radionics system. The system needed to be re-programmed, and the company that installed it in 1987 is no longer in business. I called multiple Alarm companies (from Angies List) and was told by several companies that the system is obsolete and it is "impossible" to reprogram them. Other alarm companies wanted only to sell me an entirely new system. CSC has a technician who is very familiar with the older Radionics systems - he was very friendly and very professional. He had the system re-programmed and working perfectly in less than 30 minutes.

She was very responsive and professional. The installation was set based on my schedule. The technician was knowledgeable and professional.

Representatives at CSC were unsure how to deactivate my system when it was determined we had a false alarm. Unfamiliar with my equipment. Result was arrival of fire department, since they were not canceled in a timely manner. When I called for service on the obviously malfunctioning alarm: 1. No one available to speak to me. Promised to call back. Did so several hours later and left message. 2. I returned call following day after encountering multiple BUSY SIGNALS at their contact number. Was informed the person responsible (Dave) was "sometimes" in the office and would return my call. He did not. 3. I called again hours later, and asked for an alternate person to call me. 4., Dave finally called later and told me: There is nothing wrong with the alarm, and the sensor should not be in the bathroom. (it has been there for nearly 7 years) Lectured me on operation of sensor and implied it was my fault. He was rude and patronizing. When I insisted there was a problem, his response was, "Okay, if you insist, I will say there is a problem and set up $2a service call." I told him I would call when/if I wanted a service call and immediately called Angie's List.

Not well. Was never able to set up an initial quote.

Everything has gone well with them thus far.

Our home builder uses this company as their standard alarm provider for new homes. As part of our home building package we had them install a security system (which ended up being a CSC system). Since we felt that the system was inadequate because 1) it was a less secure system commonly used in apartments and not homes and 2) additional first floor and basement windows needed to be covered. I called them and asked them to address these issues. They were willing to provide quote for additional window devices over the phone but did not send anyone out to the home. We ended up using provider which was same as our old home who installed an entirely new system for what CSC quoted me for putting in a few new components..

They showed up to install the system at the appointed time and completed their work within the time frame they had given us. They did a nice job of installation so that it is not obvious, yet is easily accessible and cleaned up after themselves.

They said we had to speak with the person who originally sold us the system. That was 15 years ago. They said they would have to look that up and get back with me and they still haven't after 3 weeks.

THIS HAS BEEN MY ALARM COMPANY FOR 13 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST REPAIR JOB. GOOD COMPANY. GOOD WORK.

VERY FRIENDLY STAFF. ARRIVED ON TIME, VERY GOOD WORK, CLEANED UP AFTER JOB COMPLETE. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY TO EVERYONE. I FOUND THEY HAD VERY COMPETITIVE PRICING AND PROVIDE EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

WE CONTRACTED TO HAVE CSC PERFORM THE MONITORING OF OUR ALARM SYSTEM ABOUT 4 OR 5 YEARS AGO, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD AN OCCASION TO USE THEM FOR REPAIR/SERVICE ON OUR SYSTEM. WE CALLED CSC AFTER OUR ALARM WAS ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED, BUT FOLLOWING THE ACTIVATION A CALL WAS NOT RECEIVED IN A TIMELY MANNER FROM THE MONITORING COMPANY. TONY PACHECO FROM CSC CAME OUT THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING OUR PHONE CALL AND DETERMINED THAT OUR SYSTEM (WHICH IS AN OLDER SYSTEM) WAS PROGRAMMED TO WAIT FOR 15 OR 20 SECONDS BEFORE SENDING A SIGNAL TO THE MONITORING COMPANY. TONY EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE SO THAT OWNERS HAVE TIME TO DISARM THE SYSTEM IN CASES WHEN IT IS ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED. WE PREFERRED TO HAVE A SIGNAL SENT IMMEDIATELY, AND TONY WAS ABLE TO SET THE SYSTEM TO ACCOMMODATE OUR REQUEST. TONY WORKED ON THE SYSTEM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, BUT HE DIDNT CHARGE US ANYTHING FOR THE SERVICE CALL. WE FEEL SAFE USING CSC.