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Burglar Alarm Services We provide sales, installation and monitoring of residential and commercial burglar alarms, fire alarms, medical emergency units, card access and closed circuit television systems. Any resemblance, however, to the large, impersonal companies stops there. When you call us, you'll be greeted by a live operator who can answer your questions, or get you in touch with the proper person.

We are professionally trained and experienced to handle the most sophisticated alarm installation and service needed. We emphasize selling a high quality product and servicing customers in a professional and efficient manner. We only partner with reputable manufacturers and suppliers, so we have confidence in the products we sell and services we offer.
Highlights and features
  • Alarm Monitoring, Burglar Alarms, Business Security, Fire Alarms, Home Security, Installation, Video Surveillance
Associations and certifications
  • Better Business Bureau
Services
Home Security Intrusion & Alarm Solutions
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We provide many security solutions for single-family homes, multi- tenanted buildings, gated communities, & condominium environments.
Home Security Surveillance
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Home Security Surveillance You work hard to provide your family with the safety and home security they deserve. But your busy life sometimes takes you away from them. We have a way for you to see that everything is all right with your own eyes. Surveillance equipment, you can see video from your home from almost anywhere in the world!
People
Bruce Hotchkiss
Bruce Hotchkiss
Bruce Hotchkiss founded Burglar Alarm Services, Inc. in 1985. Mr. Hotchkiss is a graduate Engineer who earned his degree from Georgia Tech Institute of Technology.
Reviews (16)
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Gloria Shapiro
Jun 06, 2022
Great security company. They are there when you need them. Service people are polite, friendly and knowledgeable. Always responsive and never had a problem.
Joseph Smith
Apr 26, 2022
Absolutely the greatest Service Technician has come twice now, to provide great service: on-time, and very clean and efficient with his work. They also share great amounts of knowledge regarding how to operate and maintain your system's many features, in an easily and understandable fashion.
Andrew Papandrew
Apr 26, 2022
Att:Al Staab In response to your email inquiry, I was less than thrilled with my last contact with your company. I am a residential customer for over ten years. During that time I've had very few instances to contact service as my service was pretty good. The Simon XTI keypad has been a little balky with its touch screen, sometimes causing difficulty in arming or disarming due to the lower part of the screen not responding to touch.

The recent very cold weather caused an alarm about 3:00AM one morning due to probable shrinking of a window frame. I was able to silence the alarm but was unable to clear the fault because I could not access the "tools" function in the lower right corner. A call to service brought tech Adam who was able to clear the problem with his tablet but confirmed that I probably needed a new control panel.

I thought I was scheduling an installer the next week when Jeff from sales showed up to break the news that a new control would cost in excess of $850.00 and I would have to schedule another date and the additional inconvenience. Had Jeff been the installer I probably would have gone ahead with a new controller. His insistence that the problem was not your issue irked me.

This is YOUR equipment! Instead I decided not to reschedule the work and will persevere with the current controller until it fails. At that time I will discontinue your service and either find a new provider or a do-it-yourself solution. What a way to treat a long time customer! Sincerely, Andrew Papandrew
Ellen Gottlieb
Apr 15, 2022
General Security has consistently provided excellent service for my residential security needs. I highly recommend them.
Michael Mistretta
Feb 28, 2022
Make sure you read the fine print. They installer tells you to sign credit card authorization but doesn't tell you that you are signing a FIVE YEAR contract. The early concellation fee is $925! Total scam!
Kathy Borg
Jan 22, 2022
Dear Al, I have been a customer of General Utilities and now General Security for over 40 yrs. Have always been very satisfied with the quality of service and equipment. Recently, our alarm system was beeping and we could not figure out what was wrong. It appears, after the technician did some investigating, that one of the boxes (connections) pulled out from the wall in the closet. Was just a little upset that I pay for a service call when no equipment change was needed. Anyway, as always, very Happy with General and will continue to recommend them. Stay well.
Stuart Litt
Jan 22, 2022
Radio link comm stopped working so I could not control devices from Alarm.com. GenSec dispatched service rep under maintenance agreement, replaced Z-Wave box with 4G upgrade (I had to pay for the upgrade) and re-established comm. So far so good, but my 5 light control boxes would not register with the new Z-wave, so the rep brought them back to the office to evaluate, and if they are incompatible with the upgrade, replace with operating units. Now waiting for call. If all goes well, rating will revise to usual 5 stars. Update: project completed satisfactorily!
Joe
Jan 18, 2022
The salesman Tony Sinclair was excellent as was the installation but that's where the good ended. Whenever I need service (always the exact same non-working item) its a large $$$ charge and the only option is a very expensive annual service agreement. We have had the same problem with our system for years, paid for multiple service calls and nothing was resolved.

Can't wait for the contract to end to go with SimpliSafe or another DYI company with a great reputation. Not sure how GS intends to retain customers when their service is a bad attitude, expensive, ineffective and doesn't value existing customers. That's my opinion.
Michael Mistretta
Jan 09, 2022
Make sure you read the fine print. I tried to cancel my alarm monitoring service and was told I signed a contract until 2025! The early concellation fee is $925! Total scam!
Sarah Frankel
Jan 06, 2022
Timely, efficient service. Appt kept and work completed as promised. Extremely polite and concientious field technician.
Young M. Lee
Dec 08, 2021
A technician determined that a linear transmitter (DXS-31) was bad and it is not made anymore. With that nothing was done and I still have a window that is faulted, and I paid $125 plus tax. There must be a way to resolve this, such as finding a replacement part or taking the window out from my alarm system etc. so that at least my alarm system is functional without the faulted window.

Now I have a fear that my alarm can go off anytime because of the faulty transmitter in that window. I would appreciate General to get back to me with a solution/suggestion of this problem.
Lori Graebe
Oct 28, 2021
I can not say enough great things about this company. Everything from Tony Sinclair initially coming to my home to the two men who came did all the work (I am sorry I forget your names but you know who you are :). The process was smooth and everything was explained in detail to me. I never once felt pressured into getting anything more than what we needed.

The two men ended up at my house way longer than anticipated while they waited for more batteries to be hand delivered. Everybody was so kind and respectful! Thank you again!
Harry H.
Sep 22, 2021
Same zone goes bad every year and we pay $135 to get it fixed but each year the same zone goes bad requiring another $135 repair. Wish the owner would step up and ensure a fix that lasts. His service department rep was very nasty about it saying "yup, each year we come out for that same zone." Be forewarned.
Michael Reiff
Sep 03, 2021
General Security has been responsible for our home security for many years. Their responsiveness to any issues has been good, and they address issues which arise, which are usually due to smoke detectors needing to be changed. Sometimes the smoke detection system goes wacky, but they recognize the issue and get it resolved
Alan Golden
Aug 19, 2021
He had been to us before. He was very pleasant & efficient. All good & finished in a reasonable amount of time. Will welcome him back. Thank you!
Bedis Z.
Oct 15, 2018
I had the displeasure to use their services today, the Utica NY Branch ran by an Alfred Bruni a real gangster that blackmailed us in up sells and upgrades worth over $10,000 when he refused he called Codes, lied and misrepresented the issues to try to have them shut down the building. General Security business model is really based on extortion and racketeering. I will be reporting their illegal conduct to the New York Attorney General's office under the consumer fraud and deceptive practices act.