The Best Home Security Systems in Fort Smith, AR
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Fort Smith, AR? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Fort Smith, AR home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Fort Smith every 2 hours 45 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Fort Smith experiences 34.42 property crimes per 1000 people and 10.23 incidents of vandalism per 1000 people in the typical year. A home security system will protect you when you’re at home or away, 24 hours a day.
Home Security Companies Available in Fort Smith, AR
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Fort Smith. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (27% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Affordable Option
Ring
Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Upgrade Pick
Vivint
Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Fort Smith, AR?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Fort Smith, AR. We’ll compare different crime rates and weather along with advanced features that make you feel safer and make your life easier.
Why Crime Grade?
Crime Grade has the most robust and accurate nationwide crime model available. In addition, our data is granular enough to identify and compare crime statistics to the neighborhood level. This puts us in the unique position of being able to evaluate the home security needs of people in a particular city rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Fort Smith, AR and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Fort Smith, AR
Our analysis gives Fort Smith a property crime grade of: D+. Fort Smith is in the 72nd percentile of safety, meaning 72% of cities in Arkansas are safer and 28% are more dangerous. Please visit our Fort Smith crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Fort Smith, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 13. Compare this to the southern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 42.
D+
C- |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 41 minutes (on average) in Fort Smith, AR.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Fort Smith safe? Compared to all of Arkansas, Fort Smith is rated as safe as the average Arkansas city, which has a property crime rate of 30.65 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Fort Smith, with its burglary rate of 9.320 per 1000, is as safe as the average Arkansas city.
In addition, Fort Smith is higher than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Fort Smith, AR.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Fort Smith, AR |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
19.12 |
1,768 |
34.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
5.898 |
546 |
10.5 |
Burglary |
9.320 |
862 |
16.6 |
Arson |
0.0842 |
8 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Fort Smith, AR
As strange as it might sound, some home security system features can be more or less important based on the climate you live in.
Home Security Fire Sensors in Fort Smith, AR
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Fort Smith, AR is 61.93 degrees, reaching 106.08 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 101.72 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Fort Smith was built in 1978, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Arkansas build in 1987.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Fort Smith, you can judge how important fire sensors and immediate response may be. A combination of smoke detectors, CO2 sensors, and fire alarms connected to a home security system can make that response as swift as possible, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Home Security Flood Sensors in Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith, AR gets an average rainfall of 1.9" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.5" for Arkansas.
With the risk of flooding and burst pipes, a flood sensor can alert you and authorities as soon as possible. Even a few hours make the difference between an easy restoration and long-term water damage.
Home Security Freeze Sensors in Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith, AR reaches an average of 51.56 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 54.18 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Fort Smith is 45 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Arkansas home that's 36 years old and about the same amount of time than the national average of a 45-year-old home.
Temperature fluctuations will weaken the structure and foundation of the home, cold temperatures can cause pipes to leak or burst, and if it snows that can cause additional stress on the roof. However, freeze sensors are not an expensive addon. After assessing your Fort Smith home, you can make a more informed decision if they would be a suitable addition to your home security system.
Cost of Home Security Systems in Fort Smith, AR
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Fort Smith home, we must determine some of your preferences.
Self-Monitored or Professionally Monitored?
Any home security system you pick will offer a selection of equipment including entry sensors, cameras, etc. The question is, do you actually want to self-monitor your system? If like 43.85% (39,921) of people in Fort Smith, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 56.15% or 51,109 of Fort Smith residents own their homes and may be more likely to consider a professionally monitored system to protect their property.
Whether you rent or buy, how well can you monitor your system on your own? For example, if you're one of the 88% of people who commute an average of 21 minutes to work in or around Fort Smith, can you immediately receive notifications on your phone, check cameras in meetings or while working, and call the police if needed?
If not, you might want a professionally monitored system where a company is available 24/7 to respond, whether on vacation or at work. Please see our comprehensive guide on the best home security systems for a complete comparison.
Self-Installed vs. Professional Installation
Most providers have great self-installation options, so if you're handy or tech-savvy, like the 4% of Fort Smith residents working in computer engineering and science, self-installation can be a great option.
Alternatively, when your security system is installed professionally, you can ensure that your equipment is placed correctly and will function without any problems. That peace of mind is valuable for people willing to spend the extra money.
Residents of Fort Smith tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $59,039 annually. In addition, 27.2% of residents have a college degree or higher, compared to 32.9% in the United States.
If you're a homeowner, do you have more to protect? The median home value in Fort Smith is $157,443. Compared to the median home value in Arkansas of $160,541, your home value will probably be lower. With their larger lots, single-family homes tend to be more isolated from view and a tempting target for burglars.
Find an in-depth review of installation options in our best home security systems guide.
Police Stations Near Fort Smith, AR
There are 25 police stations within the boundaries of Fort Smith, and 2 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Fort Smith center, there are 77 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Fort Smith may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| City Of Fort Smith 100 South 10th St Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479) 709-5000 fortsmithar.gov |
Fort Smith City Police 100 South 10th St Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479) 782-9131 fortsmithpd.org |
Fort Smith Police Chief 100 South 10th St Fort Smith, AR 72901 (479) 709-5143 fortsmithpd.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Fort Smith, AR
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Fort Smith, AR? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkoma, OK | D+ | D+ | about as safe |
| Barling, AR | B | B+ | more safe |
| Moffett, OK | B | C+ | more safe |
| Van Buren, AR | C | B | more safe |
| Dora, AR | A | A | more safe |
| Pocola, OK | B+ | B | more safe |
| Roland, OK | B | C+ | more safe |
| Bonanza, AR | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Old Jenny Lind, AR | D | D | less safe |
| Central City, AR | D- | D- | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Fort Smith, AR
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Fort Smith, AR? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter, SC | D+ | C- | about as safe |
| Tampa, FL | C | C | more safe |
| Suffolk, VA | F | F | less safe |
| Syracuse, NY | D- | D- | less safe |
| Tacoma, WA | D | D | less safe |
| Surprise, AZ | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Sunrise, FL | B- | B | more safe |
| Sugar Land, TX | A+ | B+ | more safe |
| Schaumburg, IL | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Scottsdale, AZ | B- | B- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Fort Smith, AR
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Fort Smith, AR can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the city to help us make an objective recommendation for most residents. Leveraging CrimeGrade.org's uniquely robust and granular crime data, we've scrutinized the options for home security systems, tailoring them to the unique needs and context of Fort Smith residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Simplisafe, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Fort Smith residents due to their distinctive offerings and reliability, each appealing to varied preferences and budget ranges of homeowners and renters alike. Notably, factors such as Fort Smith's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 2 hours 45 minutes in Fort Smith.
- The city experiences 34.42 property crimes and 10.23 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Fort Smith's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Arkansas {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Fort Smith. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (27% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- Ring: Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
- Vivint: Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 106.08 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 51.56 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.9" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 45 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 43.85% of Fort Smith residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 88% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Fort Smith's lower household median income of $59,039 and 27.2% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Fort Smith hosts 25 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.