If you could get a home security system for free would you want it?

My boyfriend and I are debating about getting a security system. He's worried about cost. Should we let cost deter us from getting one? If it were free would most people want one? I realize that cost is somewhat of a factor, but we'd DIY and not have it hooked up to a monthly monitoring system. So there'd be no monthly fee just the initial cost of buying the stuff.