One of the greatest compliments we can receive is the trust of a client that spans over decades and generations. My recent conversation with Mrs. Beth Crum revealed a story that reminded me why Alert-Tech exists in the first place—and why protecting what matters most has always been at the heart of what we do.
Mrs. Crum’s story begins in 1986.
One evening, she and her husband returned home after work and Bible Study expecting an ordinary family night. Instead, they walked into every homeowner's nightmare. Their home had been burglarized.
As she moved from room to room, the reality began to sink in. A television was gone. The microwave was missing. Drawers had been emptied. Food had been taken from the kitchen. Even the silverware drawer had been cleaned out. Their home had been ransacked.
"I remember running outside crying and shouting that our house would never be the same," Mrs. Crum shared. "Somebody had broken into our home!"
Like many families, they had installed a small alarm system purchased from a local electronics store. Unfortunately, it had not provided the protection they needed. Determined to find a better solution, she opened the Yellow Pages and began searching for a security company. One name stood out.
"I remembered seeing Alert-Tech Systems yard signs around town and hearing about Robert Winter. I called him the next morning."
At the time, Alert-Tech was still a young company. Mr. Winter answered the phone himself and soon visited their home to discuss security options. During that visit, he introduced them to the Caretaker alarm system.
"He told us the Caretaker was so reliable that even the President of the United States used it at the White House. We figured if it was good enough for the President, it was good enough for us."
Soon afterward, Chuck White, Bill Daugherty, and Jake Whitten installed the new system. That was the beginning of a relationship that continues nearly forty years later.
Over the years, as new concerns emerged, their system evolved. When stories of garage fires became more common, they added fire protection to the garage. As awareness of dryer fires increased, they expanded protection into the laundry room. Each addition brought greater peace of mind.
What impressed them most wasn't simply the equipment—it was the people.
"The service after the sale has always been excellent and reliable," she shared. "We still ask for Bill and Jake when we need service. Alert-Tech has always been there for us."
In 2025, after nearly four decades of faithful service, their original Caretaker system was finally retired when replacement parts were no longer available. The family upgraded to a modern Total Connect system, allowing them to monitor and control their security from anywhere using a smartphone.
"We are extremely pleased with Total Connect," she said. "Alert-Tech feels like family. We know someone is there for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
As we celebrate another year of serving South Georgia and North Florida, stories like this remind us that security is about more than alarms and technology. It is about trust, relationships, and being there when people need you most.
To Mrs. Beth Crum, thank you for allowing us to be part of your family's journey since 1986. We are honored by your trust and look forward to serving you for many years to come.
