301.519.9237 exdirector@nesaus.org

January 16, 2017

Public Safety Updates

  • MD: New Smoke Alarm Law
    1.12.17 – WCBC Radio – A new state law aimed at reducing home fire deaths went into effect on July 1, 2013. It requires replacement of any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is … More Info
  • MD: Rental property owners required to comply with CO monitors
    1.11.17 – My Eastern Shore – Annapolis — Legislation passed in 2016 by the Maryland General Assembly require the installation of carbon monoxide alarms for any new and existing … More Info
  • NC: High Point Makes Changes To Alarm Program
    1.11.17 – WFMYNews2.com – High Point — The city of High Point is making changes to its False Alarm Reduction Program, to cut down on false alarms. The registration fee changed from a … More Info
  • ON: Number of CO calls on the rise
    1.9.17 – Tbnewswatch.com – “The legislation has recently changed that requires residential properties have carbon monoxide alarms so that increase in the number of alarms will naturally … More Info
  • OR: Bend Police Department Year In Review
    1.9.17 – myCentralOregon.com – In addition, as the Bend PD reviewed calls from previous years, they found they were responding to a very high number of false alarms. The department began … More Info
  • PA: Bucks County, Pa., First in State to Go Live With Automated Secure Alarm Protocol
    1.11.17 – SSI – ASAP speeds up alarm notification delivery and reduces the number of phone calls and processing times at emergency response centers. More Info
  • PA: False Fire Alarm Prevention Ordinance In Effect In Lower Merion …
    1.10.17 – Patch.com – A new Lower Merion Township ordinance that aims to prevent false fire alarms has officially gone into effect at the start of the year and if you have an alarm … More Info
  • PE: Nuisance alarm bylaw tightened up by Charlottetown council
    1.10.17 – CBC.ca – Most significantly, the number of false alarms allowed has been reduced. Previously, fines could be issued for the third false alarm in a six-month period. More Info
  • WA: Spokane Valley City Council strikes required registration of alarm …
    1.11.17 – The Spokesman-Review – At it’s Tuesday evening meeting, the Spokane Valley City Council passed an ordinance that eliminates mandatory registration of alarm systems and makes the … More Info

Industry News

  • Vivint Aims to Drastically Reduce Creation Costs With New Flex Pay Model
    1.9.17 – SSI – Vivint is funded through 2017, and if its new payment model is successful the company says it won’t need to raise any more debt for growth for the foreseeable future. More Info
  • ADT Announces New Canopy Partners
    1.9.17 – SSI – Canopy allows for third-party devices to benefit from professional security monitoring. More Info
  • Smart-Home Hangover May Push Builders to More Established Home-Tech Brands
    1.10.17 – CEPro – IBS 2017: Smart-home technology has burned home-builders in the past. Now that they’re embracing it again, will they lean on the home-technology establishment, including product providers and installers? More Info
  • ADT Says No Common Class In Alarm Hackability Suit
    1.11.17 – Law360 – Law360, New York – Home security company ADT on Tuesday resisted an Arizona consumer’s bid to certify a proposed class … More Info
  • Pennsylvania reaches settlement with home security company
    1.11.17 – ABC27 – The state attorney general’s office has reached a settlement with Vivint, Inc., commonly known as APX Alarm Security Solutions. The settlement alleges Vivant … More Info
  • American Alarm Buys Atlas Alarm to Form Regional Security/Fire …
    1.12.17 -Security Sales & Integration – American Alarm & Communications has acquired Atlas Alarm Corp. of Weymouth, Mass., a provider of fire alarm and life-safety systems in the greater Boston … More Info

CES Update

  • What the Future Holds for Smart Homes in 2017
    1.1.17 – Mansion Global – What are the trends that will define the smart home space for luxury buyers over the coming year? More Info
  • Future of residential security tech on display at CES 2017
    1.6.17 – SIW – Artificial intelligence, drones could soon become a part of home security systems… More Info
  • Top 10 Smart Home Products at CES 2017
    1.10.17 – EH – Some of our favorite finds at the Consumer Electronics Show: decorative surround-sound, wallpaper TV, electronic parking assistant and more. More Info
  • Why Remote Management at CES 2017 Is Good News for Integrators
    1.11.17 – CEPro – When remote systems management (RSM) integrates with off-the-shelf, consumer-oriented smart home devices, integrators win. More Info
  • ADT Announces New Canopy Partners
    1.9.17 – Security Sales & Integration – Las Vegas – At last year’s CES, ADT announced Canopy, an API that allows third-party devices to exploit ADT’s professional alarm-response services. More Info

Legislative News

Bill Text Description History
NYAB00435
Text
By Rosenthal | Requires the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores.
Status: 01/09/2017 : referred to agriculture
History
NYAB00469
Text
By Rodriguez | Requires that all temporary and permanent dwellings in the state shall install an operable combustible gas detector that wirelessly connects to the gas company; requires gas companies to release an annual report of the frequency of gas leaks by county.
Status: 01/09/2017 : referred to governmental operations
History

 

State & National News

  • Study: Safety and comfort the main factors driving smart home tech adoption
    1.5.17 – SIW – Energy efficiency also ranked high among consumers’ purchasing decisions… More Info
  • Arkansas prosecutor seeks data from IoT devices as evidence in murder investigation
    1.9.17 – SIW – Case set to challenge privacy standards… More Info
  • Getting the Most out of a Limited Budget
    1.11.17 – Officer.com – For instance, responding to false alarms from home security systems accounts for 10 to 25 percent of service calls, meaning that up to a quarter of resources … More Info
  • AT&T files temporary restraining order against the City of Paris
    1.12.17 – KXII-TV – … power is cut, “AT&T customers will, among other things, not be able to make 911 calls, lose access to crucial services like telemedicine, home alarm services, … More Info
  • Suddenly, Home Automation Is All the Rage Among Millennial Men …
    1.12.17 –Adweek – The terms “security” and “security alarm” are among the associated topics with home automation on Facebook. So brands like ADT and Frontpoint may want to … More Info

Business Tips

  • How to Keep Customers Happy When Overworked
    1.10.17 – SSI – An improving economy means more work for integrators, but do they have the time? More Info
  • 4 Immediate Steps to Take If Your Client Suffers a Burglary, Fire … or Worse
    1.13.17 – CEPro – If one of your clients’ homes has an incident and you receive a ‘claim letter’ inquiry, you need to immediately contact your insurance company, preserve all records related to that account, limit what you provide to the client’s insurer or lawyer, and don’t try to explain what happened. More Info

Fire News

  • IL: Sprinkler credited for saving BAPS Center in Bartlett
    1.10.17 – Chicago Daily Herald – Occupants of the building were quickly notified to evacuate by the fire alarm system at 9:39 p.m. Jan. 3,. Damage was limited to the dryer … More Info
  • KY: Alarm system saves Owensboro family’s new home
    1.11.17 – WAVE 3 – An Owensboro family is thankful for their alarm system, not because it alerted them to an intruder, but to a fire. “I would have never in a million years thought … More Info
  • MA: Alarm system at fatal fire site was installed in 2011 — but what …
    1.10.17 – MassLive.com – Holyoke — The fire alarm system at the apartment block where three people perished in a New Year’s Day blaze was installed in 2011 and … More Info
  • MI: Fire alarm saves family-owned party store from greater damage
    1.9.17 – MLive.com – Thomas Twp., MI — A fire broke out Sunday night in a family-owned party store but, thanks to an alarm company alerting firefighters, only minor … More Info
  • NE: Alarms Wake Residents To Early Morning House Fire
    1.9.17 – kwbe – Kelli Strode said she and her brother were alerted by a “Nest Protect” alarm sending a message that there was smoke in the hallway and smoke in several … More Info
  • NJ: Fire on Lakeshore Drive in River Plaza
    1.10.17 – Patch.com – At 7:15 a.m. Monday, the Middletown Township Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm for a home … More Info
  • OH: Fire alarm evacuates Cleveland’s newest police station and radio …
    1.9.17 – newsnet5.com – Cleveland – A fire alarm at the Cleveland Police Third District sent dispatchers out into the cold early Monday morning. Dispatchers were outside of the … More Info
  • SD: Fire alarm is set off at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital
    1.11.17 – The Capital Journal – Fire.jpg. Fire trucks arrive at Avera St. Mary’s hospital in response to a fire alarm. … The fire alarm went off at the east wing of the second floor, she said. More Info
  • SK: Frozen sprinkler sets off false alarm at Lighthouse shelter
    1.14.17 – CBC.ca – Frozen sprinkler sets off false alarm at Lighthouse shelter … was evacuated briefly Saturday morning after a frozen sprinkler broke and set off the fire alarm. More Info
  • SK: ‘I wouldn’t be here today’: Saskatoon woman says CO detector …
    1.14.17 – CBC.ca – Just as they were getting ready for bed, the monitor’s alarm went off. “We didn’t feel the greatest at that point,” she said. “He had a headache and I was starting to … More Info
  • TN: Woman arrested for false fire alarm at Blue Cross Blue Shield in …
    1.9.17 – WDEF News 12 – According to the lead fire investigator on the case, Coleman activated a fire alarm pull station in the headquarters which forced the evacuation of several … More Info
  • TX: Woman who installed smoke detectors while trying to adopt…
    1.13.16 – KPRC Houston – We’re very grateful because if it wasn’t for God and those smoke alarms it would not have happened that well for us.” They managed to get their two dogs out … More Info
  • WI: Charges filed after Lake Geneva house raided, meth cook ignites in …
    1.14.17 – Gazettextra – 6 and he went to the front lobby Monday to tell staff he was smoking on his balcony and that was why the fire alarm went off. McBean told police Kuen had put a … More Info

Crime News

  • AL: Pleasant Grove gun shop burglarized for 5th time; 47 guns stolen …
    1.10.17 – AL.com – A man smashed his way into a Pleasant Grove gun shop early Sunday, but fled empty-handed when the store’s alarm sounded. Sunday’s burglary was the fifth … More Info
  • AL: Police: Decatur man arrested in connection to two local burglaries
    1.13.16 – The Decatur Daily – Angelo Jerome Ross, 49 was arrested after patrol officers responded to a burglary alarm at Bud’s convenience store … More Info
  • CA: Anderson police seeking leads in high school burglaries
    1.13.16 – Redding Record Searchlight – A week later, police responded to the Anderson Union High School District office around 2 a.m. after a burglary alarm was set off. Within two minutes of their … More Info
  • CA: Coachella man arrested for burglary
    1.15.17 – KESQ – … Department, officers from the Coachella Valley Police Department responded to an alarm activation at 3 a.m.. More Info
  • CA: Drywall dust, boot prints fingered habitual offender in break-in
    1.13.16 – The Sun Herald – Long Beach police caught Young after responding to a 9:30 p.m. alarm at Oil Plus. Within five minutes of the call, officers heard someone jump over a chain-link … More Info
  • FL: 2 suspects sought in gun store theft in Lakeland
    1.9.17 – WTSP.com – At 1:42 a.m. Monday, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service in response to an alarm activated at the store. Deputies responded in under three … More Info
  • FL: 40 handguns stolen during gun store burglary
    1.11.17 – WTSP.com – A Polk County Sheriff’s Office news release says deputies responded to an alarm early Tuesday morning at Rapture Gun & Knives. More Info
  • FL: JUST IN: Palm Beach Gardens cellphone repair store burglarized
    1.14.17 – Palm Beach Post – The store’s manager, who did not want to be named, said the police called at about 6 a.m. to tell him the store’s alarm went off and someone had broken in. More Info
  • GA: Suspect sought in McDonough Dollar General armed robbery
    1.9.17 – Henry Herald – The employee could not disable the alarm, and the suspect fled from the store with a total of $450.18 in cash from the registers, according to police. He was in … More Info
  • GA: Thieves steal cash register during Metro PCS smash and grab
    1.10.17 – 11alive.com – Police responded after the alarm sounded at the store and found the glass doors shattered. Capt. David Villaroel said three males are responsible for the crime; … More Info
  • IL: Boyfriend Steals Girlfriend’s Phone So She Can’t Call the Police …
    1.13.16 – Patch.com – George Garcia, 39, of Stickney, was arrested after police responded to an alarm call at around 8 p.m. Jan. 9. Garcia was found to be wanted on a … More Info
  • IL: Urbana man arrested after break-in at business
    1.10.17 – Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette – An Urbana police report said an alarm went off and officers could see someone had tried to get in. They later obtained surveillance video that showed someone … More Info
  • IN: Cameras capture burglars making off with man’s (empty) safe
    1.9.17 – WTHR – It happened as Wyman wrapped up some shopping. “When I left the store, my phone was blowing up and I got all these alerts my alarm was going off,” Wyman … More Info
  • IN: Traffic stop leads to suspect wanted in overnight burglaries
    1.10.17 – wlfi.com – Just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Demotte Police Department were called to the Family Express in Demotte also on a burglary alarm. When police arrived, officers… More Info
  • KY: Boost Mobile employee stole $15K from store
    1.12.17 -The Courier-Journal – When Shunnarah left Boost Mobile that day, the warrant said, she left the doors unlocked but set the store’s alarm. LMPD responded later that night when the … More Info
  • KY: Police: Violent Lexington gas station robbery almost goes unreported
    1.11.17 – WKYT – The manager of the BP called police a little after 2 a.m. Wednesday to report an alarm was going off at the store, police … More Info
  • KY: Shots Fired Near Schools
    1.10.17 – LEX18 Lexington KY News – “Yeah, the security alarm went off, police got here very quickly,” said Josh Bentley, the store’s general manager. The burglar moved quickly, working his way … More Info
  • MA: Rockland police log, Dec. 6-12
    1.14.17 – Wicked Local Rockland – 8:44 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported … 5:29 p.m.: A bank alarm was reported at Rockland Federal Credit Union. More Info
  • ME: Clinton Man Accused of Trying to Rob Pharmacy, says ‘Maine Mafia …
    1.13.16 – WABI – … his family and threatened to kill them – and would also kill the pharmacist. The pharmacist refused to give Bradford any drugs, but set off the security alarm. More Info
  • MI: Jackson Sheriff: man breaks into neighbor’s garage while fleeing …
    1.11.17 – MLive.com – 8:39 p.m.. Deputy Jacobson responded to an alarm. 8:49 p.m.. Deputy Vosters responded for an alarm. 8:57 p.m.. More Info
  • MI: Police arrest man hiding in business after alarm
    1.14.17 – Lansing State Journal – Police responded to the building around 7 p.m. after an alarm went off at one of the businesses, said Lansing police Sgt. More Info
  • MN: Litchfield Police Report 1/6/17-1/8/17
    1.9.17 – Crow River Media – 1:40 A.M. Litchfield Police responded to an alarm . Upon officer’s arrival, everything was found secure. 12:33 P.M. Litchfield … More Info
  • MO: Leotard burglar could have hit other businesses
    1.13.16 – Kirksville Daily Express and Daily News – “I didn’t know any of this was happening until I was called that my store was broken into,” she said, adding that while she has an alarm and cameras, the alarm … More Info
  • MS: Police looking for suspects in break-in
    1.9.17 – Kosciusko Star Herald – The subjects activated the alarm system and fled the scene without any merchandise. If anyone has any information they are urged to contact the Central MS … More Info
  • MS: Two Habitat for Humanity homes under construction broken into
    1.12.17 –WJTV – The homes have alarm systems and police responded after the alarms went off. Habitat homes go to families in need and are built with funds given to the … More Info
  • NC: Cameron Village break-in suspect found on roof, police say
    1.13.16 – WNCN – They tried to smash open a jewelry cabinet with a hammer but were not able to get in and left empty handed because the alarm was going off. During the week … More Info
  • NY: Ogdensburg Police Blotter Jan. 9
    1.11.17 – North Country Now – Ogdensburg police responded to an alarm activation at the St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union at 4:17 p.m. Monday. The alarm was false. … More Info
  • NY: Sugar and Spice Restaurant Burglarized Overnight
    1.13.16 – My Twin Tiers.com – Officers responded to an alarm at the business and found entry had been gained to the business. An undisclosed amount of cash … More Info
  • OH: Pickaway County Sheriff Reports
    1.12.17 -Pickaway News Journal – Deputies responded to an activated alarm … More Info
  • OH: Police Report
    1.10.17 – Circleville Herald – Alarm company advising of an alarm activation coming from the kitchen of a residence on Willow Lane. Officer checked it and advised it was in the county. More Info
  • OH: Police Report
    1.13.16 – Circleville Herald – Checks OK. Duress alarm activation on Villa Dr. Call cancelled. Homeowner accidental. … Back door alarm activation. Checks OK. It was the wind. More Info
  • OK: Authorities seek smash and grab suspect
    1.12.17 -Examiner Enterprise – “They had an alarm go off at the Ramona Mini Mart and deputies responded,” he said. “While they were checking it out they heard a crash of a window breaking … More Info
  • ON: Break and enter at Belleville business
    1.14.17 – Quinte News – On the 14th of January 2017 at 12:30 a.m. police responded to audible alarm at a business. Upon arrival the officers observed that the front door had … More Info
  • ON: CO alarm tips cops to Brockville grow-op
    1.10.17 – Brockville Recorder and Times – Police reported on Tuesday that police and fire responded on January 7 at 11 a.m. to check on an alarm at a south-end residence. There, they discovered a … More Info
  • PA: More burglaries strike city businesses
    1.13.16 – Titusville Herald – None of the targeted businesses were equipped with alarm systems. Det. Dustin Legoullon can be reached by anyone with information relating to these crimes … More Info
  • SC: Thieves make off with more than $20k worth of merchandise from …
    1.12.17 -Live 5 News – When officers arrived they found the front door shattered, and the alarm was going off. Investigators say several of the front display tables in the store had been … More Info
  • SD: Police report
    1.9.17 – Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Assist Sheriff’s office with a burglary alarm in county, unfounded. More Info
  • TN: Suspect sought in burglary at Friends in Need
    1.9.17 – Kingsport Times News – When the suspect entered an alarm was tripped and they fled the scene. Though they apparently left empty handed, damage to the window and blinds was … More Info
  • TN: Two teens convicted in robbery of Cordova store
    1.13.16 – FOX13 Memphis – 21 of 2015 when a security alarm was tripped at a grocery Cordova grocery store. The owner drove to the location and found glass … More Info
  • TX: Alleged Burglar Caught with Stolen Items, Arrested
    1.13.16 – KFDX – They found a broken window at the house and called the owner, who arrived and said the electricity and burglar alarm had been disconnected. Items missing … More Info
  • TX: Man armed with AR15 shot and killed by APD officer
    1.14.17 – FOX 7 Austin – Police responded to a panic robbery alarm. More Info
  • TX: Police catch alleged burglar in the act
    1.13.16 – Times Record News – They contacted the owner of the residence, who discovered the electricity to the house and their alarm system had been turned off. The owner also found some … More Info
  • TX: WFPD catch burglar in the act
    1.13.16 – KAUZ-TV – The owner of the residence discovered that the electricity to the residence, along with the alarm system, had been turned off. The owner also discovered some … More Info
  • WA: Burglary suspect: I wanted to escape the snow
    1.10.17 – KXLY Spokane – At around 4:25 a.m. Monday, deputies responded to an alarm call at a business. The alarm company told deputies they called the … More Info
  • WA: Clinton man tries to rob pharmacy, claiming ‘Maine Mafia’ kidnapped …
    1.12.17 – Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel – The pharmacist did not give Bradford the drugs, at which point Bradford said the Maine Mafia also would kill the pharmacist, who then rang a police alarm. More Info
  • WA: Police arrest smash-and-grab suspect outside damaged store
    1.9.17 – Monroe Monitor – Monroe Police Officer Paul Henderson discovered the suspect while responding to a report of an audible commercial alarm at Monroe’s 7 Star Smoke Shop … More Info
  • WI: Franklin Police Report: Employee steals $400 from Target register
    1.10.17 – South Now – 1. Police responding to a burglar alarm at a residence discovered someone kicked in in a door in an attempt to enter the … More Info
  • WI: Suspect flees West Allis robbery scene, crashes on I-94
    1.9.17 – Greenfield-West Allis Now – Police responded at 12:38 a.m. Monday, to a holdup alarm at the station. While officers were responding, a Wisconsin state trooper radioed that .. More Info

The National Monitor is a service of the National Electronic Security Alliance (NESA). Member states are free to reproduce the information contained herein in print or electronic media as they see fit. Contact NESA for more information at 301.519.9237 or bradshipp@4yoursolution.com

NESA is a federation of state associations established to serve and promote the electronic systems industry at the direction of, and through its affiliated state associations. Five state associations are part of NESA – Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (TBFAA), Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (MDBFAA), Kansas Electronic Security Association (KESA), Arkansas Security Alarm Association (ASAA) and Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (OKBFAA). For more info visit www.nesaus.org.

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