Online shopping is more popular than ever, and with it comes a growing problem for Western New York homeowners: package theft. From Buffalo and Tonawanda to Amherst, Niagara Falls, and the Southtowns, porch piracy has become a year-round issue — and one that spikes around holidays, weekends, and major sales events. At Advanced Alarm, we’ve seen a steady increase in calls from homeowners asking how to better protect their front porch and deter would-be thieves. The good news?

Western New York winters aren’t just cold — they’re unpredictable, harsh, and capable of knocking out even the most prepared households. Between heavy lake-effect snow, sub-zero temperatures, icy winds, and sudden power outages, winter can put real strain on a home’s security system. At Advanced Alarm, we’ve served homeowners throughout Tonawanda, Buffalo, and the greater WNY region since 1989, and winter is consistently the season when small system issues turn into big probl