Security You Can Trust
Welcome to American Alarms’ business and home security page for Somerville, Massachusetts. This informational page provides important crime data along with additional information for those living in or considering moving to Somerville.
According to the FBI Crime Database for Massachusetts’ 279 cities and towns, Somerville was ranked 70th in “Most Property Damage per 100,000” in 2013 improving from 65th in 2012. However, it was 52nd for “Most Burglaries per 100,000” declining from 99th in 2012.
Based in New England since 1971, we’ve worked in the Somerville area for decades. We know the landscape and we have good relationships with local police and fire officials. Our team of employees (200 strong and growing) live in the communities we serve, this means our customers are our neighbors.
Somerville was first settled in 1630 as part of Charlestown, and was called “Charlestown beyond the Neck.” However, as time went on Charlestown and present day Somerville were heading in separate directions and Somerville seceded from Charlestown in 1842 and was incorporated.
As Charlestown was settled it didn’t take long for its urbanization. Charlestown became one of the largest cities in Massachusetts, with the present day towns Arlington, Burlington, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Somerville, Stoneham and Woburn all making up a portion of the city before they all seceded and became their own entities. Unlike the urban Charlestown, Somerville was heading in a different direction, being a mostly farming town.
Urbanization in Somerville began in the eighteenth century, with the construction of a wind mill located at present day Powder House Circle and Nathan Tufts Park. The structure operated as a mill for nearly fifty years until it was sold to the Mass Bay Colony who converted it to a Gunpowder Magazine which was used to store gunpowder. In 1774, the British heard of the Powder House and sent troops to seize the gun powder. Over 250 barrels were confiscated, leading to what was known as the Powder Alarm. This event led to an uprising of Colonial militia to assemble and helped prepare troops for the Battles of Concord and Lexington which would take place seven months later.
After the Revolutionary War, Somerville entered a period of tremendous growth. When it seceded from Charlestown in 1842, the population was just over 1,000 people, twenty years later in 1862 the population increased to 16,000 and by 1890 the population was over 40,000. Much of the growth can be traced back to the increase in industry in the town, where most citizens worked in factories as blue-collar workers.
Since this time, Somerville has taken great strides in correcting its image receiving awards such as All- America City and the best run city in Massachusetts within the past ten years. Somerville is also the location of the first residential phone line ever installed.
Somerville is home to over 80 historic places including, houses, libraries and churches. It is also home to a large trail and park system with 63 parks and playgrounds, but most famously George Dilboy Memorial Stadium. This stadium is a tribute to George Dilboy, a former resident who served during World War 1 and received a Medal of Honor.
Jack Parker was born and raised in Somerville where he would Catholic Memorial High School in nearby West Roxbury. While attending High School he was the star of the hockey team and upon graduating in 1964, he chose to go to Boston University where he played Center from 1965-1968. After graduating Parker became a coach at the school where he would coach from 1969-2012. He was Head Coach for forty years and was a player or coach for forty-seven years.
Archibald Query is best known for his invention, Marshmallow Fluff. Although he was born in Montreal, Query moved to Somerville and by 1917 through trial and error, created a Marshmallow cream. His business originally started through door to door sales but eventually he partnered with candy makers and saw a rise in business. The fluffernutter, a sandwich consisting of Marshmallow Fluff and Peanut Butter is the official sandwich for Massachusetts.
Winter Hill Gang is an Irish-American gang based out of the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville. The original boss Buddy McLean was known for his ability to fight, which drew attention from local criminals. Other gang leaders include Howie Winter and James “Whitey” Bulger, who brought notoriety to the gang for their involvement in murder, drugs and loan sharking among other things.
Home security lives at the intersection of technology, service and community. American Alarm provides comprehensive home security systems for people in Somerville because our technology and customer service are unsurpassed, but also because we know their community.
Based in New England since 1971, we’ve worked in the Somerville area for decades. We know the landscape. We have good relationships with local police and fire officials. Our team of employees (200 strong and growing) live in the communities we serve, this means our customers are our neighbors.
Many people looking to purchase a home security system see or hear the word alarm in our name and assume that we only install burglar alarms and fire alarm systems. However, our customer service representatives are available to educate consumers on our expansive product and service offering.
Such is the case for a home security customer in Somerville who contacted us because he was concerned about his home security. During the free consultation our representative informed the customer that American alarm provides several other alarm monitoring services including carbon monoxide, flood and low temperature detection. The customer was excited to hear that we offered low temperature monitoring. During the last winter the customer lost heat in his home while he was away. This loss of heat led to extensive damage in the home. The customer asked that we include these monitoring services to his existing home security system and also asked us to install low temperature and flood monitoring to his other home on the South Shore.
Somerville, MA, United States
Sales: 781-859-2400
Security Command Center:
781-859-2700
FAX: 781-648-0199
Technical Support: 781-859-2600
Accounting: 781-859-2500
Human Resources: 781-859-2300
Advanced Signal: 781-963-2024
Auburn Office: 508-753-1322
Electronic Alarms, RI: 401-737-2221
Manchester, NH Office: 603-627-2002
Wallingford, CT Office (Monitor Controls): 203-269-3591
Weymouth Office (Atlas Alarm): 781-337-8866