Alsip, Illinois Businesses Install Fog Machines To Fight Smash-And-Grab Burglars

Technology is one thing but cleverness is another.

This may seem like a 'Scooby-Doo!' approach to security but you can't deny it's kind of a great idea.

According to Patch, some businesses in Alsip like gaming cafes and places that have some video games are setting up "smoke cloaks" security devices to fight off anyone trying to pop in and steal something.

The machines create a dense white fog in a few seconds to make it impossible for any burglars to see and thus take anything.

The Village of Alsip has introduced a new ordinance to regulate the installation of "smoke cloaks". It requires the businesses and homeowners that have hired someone to install the fog security machine to get an electrical permit from the Alsip Building Department.

Alsip Fire Chief Tom Styczyski said that a lot of local businesses are having these installed.

So upon Googling these things, I found the basic cost of a fog security system can run pretty much $400-$900 for smaller spaces, commercial ones can be $1,200-$2,000, and high-end/industrial ones can be anywhere from $8,000-$13,000. There's also the cost of replacement fluid cartridges.

Using fog cannons/fog security systems may be on the uptick in cafes now but it has been trending in the retail business sector for the last few years. The technology itself is nothing new but it's just now picking up steam (pun intended) in the U.S.

A huge reason people give for using it is that it can at least stall the burglar to give police time to get on the scene as response times can vary.