With just over 280,000 residents, Newark is the most populous city in New Jersey, and also one of the oldest cities in the nation. Only 30 minutes from Manhattan, Newark is home to Port-Newark Elizabeth, which is the primary container terminal in the busiest seaport on the East coast. Newark also hosts a wealth of major corporations, including Prudential, Panasonic Corporation of North America and Audible. Additionally, several top educational institutions have campuses in Newark, including the Rutgers University medical and law schools, Seton Hall University law school and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

If you live in Newark, or are planning on moving there, you may be thinking about a home security system. We’ve laid out some of the best home security companies in the area, so you can make your final choice.

The 2018 FBI Crime Report states that larceny-theft is the most common crime in Newark. Motor vehicle theft is next, with just over 2,000 incidents, and aggravated assault rounds out the top three with over 1,100 cases. According to Neighborhood Scout, property crime is less common in Newark than in the rest of the U.S., but still about 50% more common than it is in the rest of New Jersey.

• 2,827 incidents of larceny-theft
• 2,015 incidents of motor vehicle theft 
• 1,155 incidents of aggravated assault
• 832 incidents of burglary 
• 689 incidents of robbery

SMS Security Systems is a family-owned business that’s served New Jersey for over 35 years. An Alarm.com authorized dealer and a GE Security Pro dealer, SMS offers home security, fire alarms and inspections, camera systems and personal emergency monitoring, among a host of other services.

Gateway’s professional monitoring service starts at $39.95 per month (call for quotes). The company offers a wide variety of equipment options, including cameras and personal emergency equipment. SMS specializes in customized solutions, so it’s best to give their reps a call to let them know your situation, so they can help you come up with a plan.

There are many New Jersey- and New York-based security companies that serve the Newark area, including:

• Supreme Security Systems: Operating since 1929 and family-owned for three generations, Supreme Alarm serves New Jersey with home security, automation and personal emergency monitoring services.
• Ultimate Security Systems: In business since 1978, Ultimate Security designs, installs and monitors custom home security systems throughout New Jersey.
• Essex Alarms:  Essex alarms serves customers not only with home security systems, but also locksmith, door and glass services, making it a one-stop shop for keeping your home secure.
• A&R Alarm Corp.: Based in New York, A&R Alarm has also served New Jersey customers’ home security needs since 1966.

Newark is one city in a huge metropolitan area that, for all intents and purposes, is contiguous with New York City. Towns surrounding Newark include:

• Bayonne, NJ
• Belleville, NJ
• Bloomfield, NJ
• East Orange, NJ
• Elizabeth, NJ
• Harrison, NJ
• Hillside, NJ         
• Irvington, NJ
• Jersey City, NJ
• Kearny, NJ
• North Arlington, NJ
• Orange, NJ
• South Orange, NJ
• Union, NJ
• West Orange, NJ