With more and more residents attending Neighborhood Watch meetings, and a crime rate that, according to

National Uniform Crime Reports, ranks second among all cities in the state, many Selmians are looking for ways to protect their homes.

One increasingly popular way is to install a home security system, something which one local resident insists has helped him tremendously.

Hogg said he has a system installed both in his office and at home.

Joey Johnson, an employee with Selma Communication Service, which sells security systems in Selma, said that a basic home security system starts at around $600. More elaborate systems can cost upwards of $2,000 or $3,000.

Johnson said wireless systems are the most expensive.

He said that a good system should include things like motion sensors that are placed throughout the house as well as &uot;glass break sensors&uot; that are placed on windows.

The most common systems, when set off, automatically call a monitoring service, which then notifies police.

Despite some hassles, Hogg said he is pleased with his system.

Hogg said his system is also connected to a smoke detector that in case of fire will also notify the fire department.