Public Safety Updates

• AR: Brick business sues Little Rock over false-alarm fees
  11.6.17 – Arkansas Online – A block and brick company has filed a class-action lawsuit against the city of Little Rock over an ordinance that imposes fees on repeated false alarms. More Info
• MO: City council set to vote on false alarm ordinance
  11.6.17 – ABC17News.com – Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia City Council has a full agenda for its meeting Monday night. On the list, an ordinance that would create more severe penalties for excessive false alarms.  More Info
• TN: Tennessee County Hopes to Trim 911 Dispatch Times
  11.9.17 – Firefighter Nation – The Automated Secure Alarm Protocol, made possible through a partnership between the district and ADS Security, allows alarm companies such as ADS to …More Info

Industry News

• Convergint Technologies Acquires Security Products Company
  11.2.17 – SDM – Convergint Technologies, ranked No. 2 on SDM’s Top Systems Integrators Report, acquired Minnesota-based Security Products Company (SPC). More Info
• BCE Announces Agreement to Acquire AlarmForce Industries
  11.8.17 – SDM – BCE Inc. (Bell) announced it will acquire AlarmForce Industries Inc., a Canadian leader in home security and monitoring services, in a transaction valued at approximately $166 million. More Info
• Pelco and AMAG join forces to provide integrated surveillance and …
  11.10.17 – SecurityInfoWatch – … VMS and Symmetry Access Control System integration include: a user interface design with graphical map capability; comprehensive alarm handling features; … More Info
• COPS Monitoring Receives SOC 2 Type I Attestation Report
  11.10.17 – SDM – KirkpatrickPrice announced that COPS Monitoring, a provider of professional monitoring services, has received its independent Service Org… More Info
• Ring Refunds ‘Protect’ Pre-orders Due to ADT Lawsuit
  11.10.17 – SSI – The ADT lawsuit claims the Ring Protect security and home automation system uses stolen IP from Zonoff, ADT’s development partner. More Info

Legislative News

Bill Text	Description	History
FLHB00539 Text	Introduced by Senate Ethics and Elections | Revises requirements for alarm confirmation to include additional methods by which alarm monitoring company personnel may confirm residential or commercial intrusion/burglary alarm signal to require two attempts be made to confirm alarm signal. Status: 11/6/2017 : House – Filed	History
NHHB01255 Text	A bill relative to the state fire code. Bill ID=1293. Status: 01/03/2018 : Prefiled	History
USHR04283 Text	To encourage States to require the installation of residential carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and for other purposes. Status: : House – 11/07/2017 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	History
USS02061 Text	Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2017 Status: : Senate – 11/02/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.	History

State & National News

• What You Should Know Before Signing a Home Security Contract
  11.7.17 – NBC 7 San Diego – A Carlsbad’s woman asked NBC 7 Responds for help when she tried to cancel a contract with a home security system company, Five Alarm Security. … More Info
• Rosie on the House: Basics to know on home security systems
  11.7.17 – Green Valley News – When sensors are tripped by intruders, a hard-wired system sends signals to a control panel to sound an alarm and can then use a cellular network or a … More Info
• This Is What Burglars Look For When Casing Your Home
  11.7.17 – Architectural Digest – He authored a 2013 paper on robbers’ preferences after numerous interviews with 422 people convicted of larceny (however, he admits, a home alarm system … More Info
• Nest Secure review:
  11.9.17 – CNET – The Good The $499 Nest Secure alarm system starter kit is incredibly easy to arm and disarm and its Detect sensors do a lot more than monitor whether a door .. More Info

Business Tips

• Why Security Pros Should Look at Telecoms for Inspiration, Not as Threats
  11.8.17 – SSI – The race for residential revenue is heating up as more and more competitors enter the fray. Here’s a few reasons why you should get to know your competitors. More Info
• When the Customer says, ‘I Don’t Need Good Music Quality’
  11.10.17 – CEPro – How do you convince clients they DO want good-quality sound for whole-house music when they insist they don’t care about fidelity? More Info
• Why Homebuilder Relationships Are a Hot Commodity for Security Dealers
  11.10.17 – SSI – Homebuilders have begun to see technology as an asset again. Now’s the time for security dealers to capitalize by becoming valued partners. More Info
• DIY Gambit: Should Pro Installers Consider a Self-Install Offering to Stave Off Competition?
  11.2.17 – SSI – A slew of DIY security and home automation competitors are flooding the marketplace, challenging traditional business models to keep pace. More Info

Fire & EMS News

• AK: Bugs inside, drugs outside. Is this subsidized hotel really catering to …
  11.11.17 – KTUU.com – That includes a whopping 24 false fire alarms, said Battalion Chief James Dennis. When we checked into the hotel on a recent afternoon, the desk clerk warned … More Info
• AZ: Two lives saved by smoke alarms in duplex fire
  11.6.17 – KGUN – Tucson – The sound of smoke alarms Sunday night saved the lives of two people living in a midtown duplex. The residents of the duplex were … More Info
• CA: Smoking electric receptacle exposes fire alarm failure at SYV Union …
  11.10.17 – Santa Maria Times – A smoking electrical receptacle at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in recent weeks alerted officials to a failure in the aging fire alarm system, making it … More Info
• CT: Deli Fills With Smoke After Cooking Grill Left On
  11.10.17 – The Newtown Bee – Local volunteer firefighters responded to an automatic alarm at 6:09 pm on Thursday, November 2, alerting them of an possible emergency at Misty Vale Deli … More Info
• CT: Taco Bell Restaurant Destroyed By Fire: New London Police
  11.11.17 – Patch.com – At 5:11 AM New London Officers responded to a report of a hold up alarm at the Taco Bell restaurant. Upon arrival, Officers observed fire coming through the roof … More Info
• DC: Man charged for sparking fire at embassy, vandalizing another
  11.7.17 – Washington Examiner – Shortly afterwards, a burglar alarm was set off at the Embassy of Austria. Shattered glass and a large rock were discovered toward the back of the embassy, … More Info
• IL: DuPage inmate charged with pulling fire alarm that caused …
  11.7.17 – Chicago Daily Herald – “When there is an activated fire alarm in the courthouse, a building-wide evacuation is ordered and announced over the courthouse public address system. More Info
• LA” Elderly fire victim says smoke alarm saved her life
  11.7.17 – WAFB.com – Ossawski is almost done rebuilding her kitchen, but she believes had it not been for the sound of the smoke alarm in the hallway, things would have turned out … More Info
• MA: New Bedford man arrested for pulling fire alarm, causing …
  11.7.17 – SouthCoastToday.com – New Bedford – Residents of the Regency Towers were awakened in early Monday when a man pulled the fire alarm and caused a disturbance, police said. More Info
• MI: Lansing police investigating early morning vandalism at apartment …
  11.9.17 – WILX-TV – But it was a false alarm. Lansing police told WILX, somebody pulled the fire alarm, and discharged the fire extinguisher. As residents evacuated, police and … More Info
• MT: BREAKING: Pantzer Hall fire sets off sprinklers, floods dorm room
  11.10.17 – Montana Kaimin – University Police Department Captain Ben Gladwin said the alarm system alerted UMPD at 1:02 p.m. and the investigation was being handled by Missoula Fire … More Info
• NC: Fayetteville hotel closed, 3 taken to hospital after carbon monoxide …
  11.7.17 – WRAL.com – “About 7 a.m. got the alarm going off, called down to the front desk and was told everybody needed to get out of the building,” said Carl Kaiser, a hotel guest. More Info
• NS: Cape Breton high school evacuated due to smoke flare
  11.9.17 – CTV News – Cape Breton Regional Police responded to a smoke alarm at Memorial High School in Sydney Mines, N.S. around 10:30 a.m.. Police say students and staff had … More Info
• NY: Police Blotter: October 16-November 5, 2017
  11.11.17 – Cornwall and Cornwall on Hudson – 10/21/17 Police respond to Storm King School for a fire alarm caused by burnt popcorn. 10/30/17 A woman came to the Police Dept to report that she was being … More Info
• NY: Public Safety Briefs
  11.7.17 – The Hofstra Chronicle – On Oct. 29 at 6:30 a.m., a fire alarm was activated in Estabrook Hall. While conducting a search of the building, five students were found who failed to exit. More Info
• NY: Westfield Fire Department releases monthly summary
  11.7.17 – Evening Observer – The fire calls were for a detector activation at Growers’ Co-Op, and a fire alarm activation at Westfield Academy and … More Info
• PA: Broken sprinkler dampens commissioners’ meeting room
  11.12.17 – Butler Eagle – The sprinkler alarm call came in at about 1:30 p.m. while three workers from Uhl Construction poured and finished the new concrete immediately outside the … More Info
• PA: Elevator issue sets off smoke alarm at Wernersville State Hospital
  11.6.17 – Reading Eagle – Crews were dispatched about 8:15 a.m. to the report of an automatic smoke alarm at … More Info
• SC: Arson suspected in house fire
  11.7.17 – The Tand D.com – Firefighters and law enforcement officers were called at 3:26 a.m. Monday when the house alarm automatically alerted dispatchers. More Info
• VA: Fire alarm at Albemarle County Office Building cuts School Board …
  11.10.17 – The Daily Progress – Charlottesville fire officials said a sprinkler system malfunction caused the fire alarm in the Albemarle County Office Building on McIntire road to sound during … More Info

Crime News

• AK: ‘Huffing’ problem leads man to break in OfficeMax twice in one …
  11.11.17 – Juneau Empire – At 1:19 a.m., a burglary alarm went off at OfficeMax at the Nugget Mall, but when officers arrived, they didn’t find anyone there. They did find two glass window … More Info
• CA: Doors smashed, merchandise stolen at Thousand Oaks businesses
  11.7.17 – Ventura County Star – Thousand Oaks police responded to an alarm just before 2:40 a.m. and found that the glass front doors of a Peet’s Coffee and … More Info
• CA: Man suspected of burglarizing Temecula home, setting fires and …
  11.12.17 – Valley News – The woman had been awoken by the sound of a her alarm and discovered a man had burglarized the home and set fire to her kitchen, according to a Riverside … More Info
• CA: Police nab three suspects in connection with Brentwood bank robbery
  11.11.17 – East Bay Times – According to police, when officers responded to the alarm, witnesses said a man had walked in, pulled out a dark-colored handgun and demanded money. More Info
• CA: White man who ‘robbed a California bank in Black Face’ is …
  11.12.17 – Daily Mail – Deputies from the Lake Elsinore sheriff’s station were called to a Wells Fargo in Corona, California, after a silent alarm was triggered, according to a statement. More Info
• CO: Logan County Sheriff’s deputies conduct sex offender address …
  11.11.17 – Journal Advocate – At 6:44 p.m. deputies were dispatched regarding a report of a residential burglary alarm. At 10 p.m. deputies were … More Info
• CO: Sheriff’s Office search for suspect involved in robbery with a knife
  11.11.17 – KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a suspect that robbed a Loaf N’ Jug with a knife Friday. The Sheriff’s Office was notified of a silent alarm from the … More Info
• DC: Police make arrest at bank, but woman won’t give name
  11.12.17 – Washington Post – A silent alarm was sounded, police said, and officers showed up quickly. Even without full cooperation from the woman they arrested, police said prosecution … More Info
• IL: Burglar allegedly steals $150 from Aurelio’s, causes property damage
  11.11.17 – The Herald-News – The burglar managed to steal $150 but the restaurant’s alarm scared him off, Pascale said. The thief allegedly damaged the doors and cash register. “He caused … More Info
• IL: Police: Lawn maintenance equipment worth more than $500 stolen
  11.10.17 – Chicago Tribune – The intruder left after hearing a burglar alarm. Hit and run. •An individual reported at 10:35 a.m. on Nov. 2 having a vehicle struck near the intersection of … More Info
• IL: Two arrested after Libertyville store theft, officer injured
  11.11.17 – Chicago Daily Herald – The store clerks asked the woman to come back to see if any item accidentally set off the alarm, and she left her bag on the counter and ran off, they said. More Info
• LA: Weekend burglaries lead to arrest
  11.7.17 – Minden Press-Herald – … reportedly admitted to being with Thompson during the burglaries and the two attempted to burglarize the Methodist Camp Road home, but the alarm went off. More Info
• MA: Mattapoisett Police Log, Oct. 29-Nov. 4
  11.11.17 – Wicked Local Rochester – 5:46 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 5:58 p.m.: A burglar alarm was .. More Info
• MA: North Andover Police Log, Nov. 1 to 6
  11.7.17 – Wicked Local North Andover – 12:04 a.m.: There was a fire alarm at Brooks School, but it turned out to be power related due to the previous weekend’s storm. 12:07 a.m.: There was a fire alarm … More Info
• MA: Police/Fire
  11.10.17 – Gloucester Daily Times – 8:41 a.m.: A burglar alarm sound at Doyon’s appliance store. The building and grounds proved to be secure. More Info
• MD: Police: Off-duty officer tried to break into ex-boyfriend’s home
  11.10.17 – WBAL Baltimore – I think she tried to trigger the alarm to go off,” Foster said. Damage to the door and car is estimated at more than $1,000. Charging documents indicate Adams … More Info
• MD: VIDEO: Robbery Suspects Caught on Camera
  11.7.17 – Fox Baltimore – (WBFF) – Baltimore City Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the four teens in this surveillance footage. On September 20, 2017 two … More Info
• MI: Alarm reportedly scares off armed robber at Tim Horton’s on Grand …
  11.12.17 – Fox17 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Grand Rapids Police say a man holding a silver revolver attempted to hold up the Tim Horton’s restaurant late … More Info
• MN: Hutchinson Center for the Arts hosts its third escape room — “Art …
  11.6.17 – Crow River Media – However, during the break-in they trip an alarm and only have 45 minutes to escape before the Hutchinson Police Department arrives. Haley Jacobsen, program … More Info
• MS: West Point police looking for pawn shop burglar
  11.11.17 – WTVA – Police responded to an alarm call Thursday at D&B Pawn Shop. Three men were involved in breaking in but only one of them entered the building. He is seen … More Info
• NJ: Hillsborough Man Charged in Two Bank Robberies; More Charges …
  11.7.17 – TAPinto.net – Franklin Police responded to an alarm at the TD Bank on Sept. 3 around 1 p.m. Bank employees, who described the robber as a dark-skined black male, 6’2” tall … More Info
• NY: Man breaks into Hoosick Falls convenience store, drags off ATM …
  11.7.17 – WRGB – After getting his fill, without even unplugging the machine, he took off, and the alarm doesn’t even go off, until after he’s gone. Now the owner says the man … More Info
• NY: Wading River burglar stole scratch-off lottery tickets, cops says
  11.12.17 – Newsday – Detectives responded to an alarm and used a K-9 unit, but could not locate the suspect after the burglary. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call … More Info
• OH: Crime Stoppers: Police seeking two-time burglar
  11.6.17 – The Columbus Dispatch – A reward is being offered as part of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers’ Crime of the Week, after an intruder disabled an alarm system to a Zipf Locksmith warehouse … More Info
• OH: Grove City: Alarm foils attempt to take three televisions
  11.8.17 – This Week Community News – An alarm sounded at the exit door and loss prevention officers responded. They found three televisions sitting outside the door and they noticed a vehicle driving … More Info
• OH: In 15 minutes, suspect robs two north Columbus stores
  11.12.17 – NBC4i.com – Officers responded to a robbery alarm at the United Dairy Farmers at 1:15am. Worthington police were also called out to a robbery at the BP … More Info
• OK: Video Captures Car Break-In At Tulsa Home
  11.8.17 – News On 6 – Despite installing security cameras and having car alarms, B.J. Dilibero says a determined man got into his SUV by breaking the window and crawling in through … More Info
• ON: Okotoks home owner’s doorbell video leads to capture of alleged …
  11.12.17 – MetroNews Canada – The alarm company said it’s their mission to help keep neighbourhoods safe – and the video account of the incident helped local authorities. “The police were … More Info
• TN: East Memphis home break-in caught on camera, second time home …
  11.11.17 – wreg.com – Look closely they appear to only be inside a short time but it`s enough to do damage. Homeowner Adam Wanderman got the alarm call while he was at work … More Info
• TN: Nashville man’s own burglar alarm leads to police finding 31 pounds …
  11.6.17 – WZTV – A Nashville father’s own burglar alarm led to police to finding over 31 pounds of marijuana inside his residence on Saturday…. More Info
• TX: Orange police confirm several weekend burglaries, robberies
  11.7.17 – Beaumont Enterprise – Just before that at 4:03 a.m., OPD responded to an attempted burglary after the alarm at $25 Optical was activated. Upon arrival, officers found a … More Info
• TX: Police: At least a dozen AR-15 rifles stolen after SUV plows through …
  11.11.17 – KFOX El Paso – Officers responded around 4 a.m. to the Action Arms after a burglary alarm was set off. Police say there was … More Info
• TX: WFPD investigates robbery at Western Finance
  11.7.17 – KAUZ-TV – Officers were dispatched to the scene around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon for an alarm. When police arrived, they were told … More Info
• VT: Bristol Police Log: Police lead active shooter training for emergency …
  11.9.17 – Addison County Independent – Responded to an alarm at a local bank on Oct. 29 at 3:59 p.m. Police found all secure. … More Info
• WA: Kitsap County K-9 nabs burglary suspect in 4 hours
  11.10.17 – KING5.com – At 1:39 a.m. Kitsap County Sheriff deputies responded to a burglary alarm at The Southworth Grocery Store. The deputies were soon joined by … More Info
• WA: Man suffers broken legs after accidentally being driven over by co …
  11.9.17 – KOMO News – The incident unfolded at about 1:40 a.m. Thursday as deputies responded to a burglar alarm at the Southworth Grocery … More Info
• WI: Summit and Oconomowoc police reports: Wales man drives car into …
  11.7.17 – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – D. Police responded at 3:51 p.m. Oct. 27 to the Oconomowoc Area Historical Society for a burglar alarm. Police determined nothing to be … More Info
• WI: Two arrested in Fox Point bank robbery
  11.6.17 – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Fox Point police were notified of the bank robbery by an alarm at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The two suspects fled the bank in a vehicle. Police pursued the vehicle … 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.

NESA Board of Directors

• President – Chris Russell
• Vice President & – Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director- Craig Bober
• Secretary- Kathleen Schraufnagel
• Treasurer and Arkansas Security Alarm Assn. Director – Rick Howell
• Past President – Jordon Brown
• Kansas Electronic Security Alliance Director – Vacant
• Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director- Steven Brekel
• Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director – Kelly Ryan
• Associate Director- Brian Villari
• Executive Director- Brad Shipp
• Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Brian Shrake
• Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Danna Fowble
• Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Rex Adams