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NationalMonitor

December 14, 2015

Door to Door Sales

  • BBB Tip of the Week: House Alarm Scam
    12.13.15 – The Spokesman Review – In a con related to house alarms, supposed alarm technicians arrive at homes and claim that they are there to upgrade or update the system. More Info

Public Safety Updates

  • NJ: Cherry Hill Residents Urged to Register Alarm With Police Department
    12.7.15 – Patch.com – Police have responded to over 4,000 alarm activations this year, but haven’t always been able to contact homeowners/business owners. More Info
  • OH: City dispatch center introduces new digital 911 system
    12.8.15 – Zanesville Times Recorder – Even in the event of an alarm going off during a bank robbery, dispatchers could view a live surveillance feed and transmit an image of a suspect to officers in … More Info
  • SC: Columbia moves to target repeated property violators, false alarms
    12.8.15 – The State – On Tuesday, a City Council committee referred the rewritten nuisance law and a first-for-Columbia false security alarm proposals to the full council. It’s unclear … More Info
  • SC: Landlords, homeowners disagree on proposed changes to …
    12.7.15 – ColaDaily.com – City officials have also proposed a new false security alarm ordinance that would penalize a person up to $100 for more than two false alarms in a year. It would … More Info
  • WI: Pewaukee resident threatens recall over false alarm fees
    12.8.15 – Lake Country Now – Christmas in Wales: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 12, Village of Wales, various locations. Enjoy holiday treats, horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, live music, kids … More Info

Industry News

  • Alarm Dealers: What is the Ethical Code on Upselling Home …
    12.7.15 – Security Sales – Trust between alarm dealers and customers is above all else, says SSI columnist … Some customers will ask alarm dealers for more protection than is needed. More Info
  • Do you know that intruders can jam your alarm?
    12.7.15 – Northcliff Melville Times – The managing director of Beagle Watch Dave Casey explained that alarm systems consist of various components, all working together to detect intruders and … More Info
  • Security experts weigh in on video surveillance vs. alarm systems
    12.8.15 – WPTV.com – “You want to have an alarm. I would spend my money on a great alarm because that’s the deterrent. If they break a window or if they open a door and that alarm … More Info
  • SMS Integration, formerly Smoky Mountain Systems, acquires first branch
    12.7.15 – SSN – Franklin, N.C.—After being in business for 32 years, Smoky Mountain Systems has changed its name to SMS Integration and it acquired its first branch office in Myrtle Beach, S.C…. More Info
  • My Alarm Center launches new DIY division
    12.8.15 – SSN – Newtown Square, Pa.—My Alarm Center launched LivSecure, a direct-to-consumer company focused on DIY-installed equipment paired with professional monitoring. More Info
  • ADS Security Implements ASAP to PSAP Alarm Response Program …
    12.11.15 – Security Sales – ADS Security announces the implementation of the ASAP (Automated Secure Alarm Protocol) to PSAP (Public Service Answering Point) alarm response … More Info

State & National News

  • Patience, people. USB’s getting better, but first comes confusion
    12.8.15 – C-Net – USB, the workhorse port used for everything from phones to cars, is about to get even more useful. But consumers may be puzzled at first. More Info
  • Understand the Dangers of Electrical Shock
    12.1.15 – OHS – Two good sources for those seeking to understand the dangers of electrical shock are OSHA and NIOSH. Electricity is one of the most common causes of fires and thermal burns in homes and workplaces. Brief low-voltage shocks that do not result in any symptoms or burned skin usually don’t require medical care, but call 911 and seek care at a hospital emergency room for any high-voltage shock or a shock resulting in burns. More Info
  • Legislatures have fewer lawyers, farmers but higher education levels
    12.1.15 – Stateline – State legislators have higher educational attainment than their constituents overall. But occupations may have a greater influence in policymaking. More Info
  • Ways to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls
    11.7.15 – OHS – 25,000 slip and fall accidents happen every day in the workplace. This can easily be corrected by following simple prevention methods and tips. When employees can operate in safe working environments, everyone benefits. More Info
  • Longtime Thief Teaches Homeowners Protection From Crime
    12.9.15 – CBS Local – “The little sticker that people have that says that their alarm system is current, and that they have a permit for it is a major deterrent to a lot of people,” Durden said … More Info
  • Can you find me now? Why calling 911 will get easier
    12.1.15 – Governing – Phones can detect your location, but emergency responders can’t. That’s all going to change soon. More Info
  • Mass. Attorney General Overturns Electrical Board Decision vs. Comcast
    12.10.15 – CEPro – Mass. Attorney General overturned cease and desist order against Comcast which stemmed from a 2012 lawsuit backed by the Electrical Board. The lawsuit had kept Comcast from installing security systems in two Mass. towns. More Info

Business Tips

  • If You’re Doing Things the Way You’ve Always Done Them, You’re Falling Behind
    12.7.15 – CI – Leo Hopf tells InfoComm AV Executive Conference attendees to always focus on innovation or they’ll find themselves irrelevant. More Info
  • How to Create Customer Experiences That Matter Way More Than Products
    12.4.15 – CI – Still don’t believe experiences are what matters most to people? Consider this. The biggest taxi company in the world, Uber, has no cars and the biggest media company, Facebook, has no content of its own. More Info
  • The Fine Line Between Customer Relationship Management and Stalking
    12.9.15 – CI – Here are four mutually beneficial ways to interact with customers after a sale and not let CRM fall through the cracks. More Info
  • The Social Media Strategy Anyone Can Get Behind
    12.10.15 – CI – Connecting with peers and clients on social media doesn’t have to cost you too much time or money. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying hi. More Info
  • Forget Wearables: Embedded Technology Gets Under Our Skin
    12.9.15 – CI – Wearable technology is clunky and awkward. George Tucker examines what’s next on the horizon, devices made to be a part of the human body. More Info

Fire News

  • IL: Fire started after man falls asleep while smoking
    12.10.15 – Peoria Journal Star – Landon Horrie said the owner of the building was in the first-floor restaurant and heard the smoke alarm. The owner went upstairs and alerted the person … More Info
  • NJ: Cat warns Kinnelon family of carbon monoxide danger
    12.10.15 – NorthJersey.com – Soon after Chloe’s commotion, the security alarm system in the home went off and noted the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide. Police, firefighters, and … More Info
  • ON: Smoke alarm saves Gravenhurst home
    12.7.15 – www.muskokaregion.com/- Gravenhurst — A home was saved from a potentially disastrous kitchen fire thanks to a working smoke alarm. On Monday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. the sound of a … More Info
  • SD: Vermillion Police Report
    12.11.15 – Vermillion Plain Talk – 5:58 p.m. – Officers responded to an apartment complex to investigate a fire alarm activation. The reporting party advised a smoke alarm could be heard coming … More Info
  • TX: SAFD investigates frequent fire alarms at downtown complex
    12.8.15 – KENS 5 TV – San Antonio — Residents at a downtown apartment building are fed up with frequent fire alarms sounding. They said, each time, they fear their lives are in … More Info
  • TX: Two men charged with arson for NE Austin warehouse fire
    12.9.15 – KEYE TV – Firefighters responded to an alarm at the building at around 5:30 a.m. and quickly put out five separate fires. According to court documents, investigators found … More Info
  • VA: Smoke alarm alerts family to house fire sparked by space heater
    12.8.15 – WRIC – The family was alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm. “Smoke alarms not only save lives, they catch fires when they are still small and can be extinguished … More Info
  • WA: Officials say haze or smoke tripped alarm at Yelm High
    12.10.15 – The Olympian – No fire was found after an alarm was activated at Yelm High School at about 11:45 a.m. Thursday, according to Yelm Community Schools spokeswoman Teri … More Info
  • WA: Police: Prank call at McDonalds leads to thousands in damages
    12.8.15 – KEPR 19 – A prank call resulted in thousands of dollars in clean up, repairs, and loss of sales Sunday after an employee was tricked into pulling the store’s fire alarm. More Info
  • WI: Alarm System Helps Family get to Safety During Glendale Fire
    12.7.15 – WDJT – A home alarm system is credited for helping firefighters quickly get to the scene of a house fire in Glendale. North shore fire fighters got the call from the alarm … More Info
  • WV: 17-year-old faces arson charges in Odyssey House fire
    12.8.15 – The DPost – Morgantown Fire Marshal Ken Tennant said firefighters were called to a fire alarm at the Odyssey House at about 7:30 p.m. The Odyssey … More Info

Crime News

  • AL: Police: Man stole ambulance, burglarized pharmacy
    12.7.15 – WAAY – Huntsville Police say a man stole an ambulance from Decatur General Campus, drove to Huntsville and burglarized a pharmacy. Police responded to an alarm … More Info
  • CA: Attempted break-ins on same night
    12.9.15 – Idyllwild Town Cier – Paul Amick, co-owner of the Town Baker, reported that he received a call from his alarm service at 12:30 a.m. Sunday that his alarm had been activated. More Info
  • CT: New Haven Police: Teens Caught Stealing Reptiles From …
    12.8.15 – Hartford Courant – Police said officers were alerted to the incident at 3:49 p.m. Friday after a burglar alarm went off. Two teens were spotted outside the property and a third was … More Info
  • DE: 2 teens charged with robbing New Castle liquor store
    12.9.15 – The News Journal – Police were called at about 9:45 p.m. to the Buy Rite Liquor Store for an active alarm, Lt. Adam P. Brams said. Officers found the glass … More Info
  • FL: Bradenton police looking for men who robbed Subway with gun
    12.8.15 – Bradenton Herald – He told the clerk not to hit the alarm button and demanded money from the register before running out of the store, police said. Another man was kneeling … More Info
  • FL: Burglars strike same family twice in 24 hours
    12.12.15 – WJXT Jacksonville – “Sometimes what people will do, if you don’t have an alarm system, they’ll take the gifts, wrap them, and take them to a friend’s house who may have an alarm … More Info
  • FL: Georgia men arrested in Bay County armed robberies
    12.8.15 – The News Herald – The clerk gave the suspect money as the suspect told him “do not touch the panic alarm” and then ran out of the store, BCSO reported. About an hour earlier, … More Info
  • FL: Police Say Suspect Shot and Killed in Robbery Attempt
    12.13.15 – UnionOracle.com – Clerks at the bank’s location triggered a silent alarm after a suspect passed a note to a teller that said he was armed with a bomb. The suspect also … More Info
  • IA: Sheriff’s office seeks public’s help with burglary suspects
    12.10.15 – DesMoinesRegister.com – 26, Polk County deputies responded to a burglary alarm at Trails End Auto Salvage. Through investigation, deputies … More Info
  • IL: Apple Store burglarized at Orland Square
    12.8.15 – Chicago Tribune – He told police he was in his office eating lunch when the security alarm was activated. The custodian said the gate was intact when he passed the store at 4:45 … More Info
  • IL: Joliet Police Make Another Arrest in Center of Town Home Burglaries
    12.8.15 – 1340 WJOL – At 1:11 PM Monday, police received word that a burglar alarm had gone off, in an elderly couple’s home. A witness had seen 58 year old … More Info
  • IL: Police investigating weekend burglaries in Valparaiso
    12.8.15 – Chicago Tribune – Police first were called shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday to Midas Auto Service because an alarm was triggered. Officers noticed the front door … More Info
  • IN: Countywide burglaries may be related
    12.13.15 – nwitimes.com – A would-be burglar was scared off by an alarm Tuesday from Our Lady of … A day earlier, someone set off an alarm by throwing a concrete block through a glass … More Info
  • KY: Break-ins reported at two Lexington gas stations
    12.10.15 – WKYT – Police say a group of men tried to break into the Marathon, but were scared away when the alarm went off. An officer patrolling the area … More Info
  • MI: $400000 In Cash, Gold And Silver Bars Missing After Home Invasion
    12.8.15 – CBS Local – The homeowner told police he does have a security system but forgot to activate his alarm prior to leaving for the night. The home’s video surveillance, however, … More Info
  • MI: Approximately $400K in cash, gold and silver stolen during Lyon …
    12.8.15 – The Oakland Press – The homeowner did not activate his house alarm prior to leaving the residence. An evidence technician reviewed video of the theft on the home’s surveillance … More Info
  • MI: Bay City parolee accused of committing burglaries, robbery accepts …
    12.12.15 – MLive.com – 23, police responded to a burglar alarm at Jamie’s Dairies. They arrived to find a broken window with blood located on the sill, on an ice … More Info
  • MI: Police seek man who robbed restaurant with hammer
    12.11.15 – The Macomb Daily – According to police, officers who responded to a “panic alarm” at the restaurant encountered a manager who told police she had been just been robbed. More Info
  • MI: Suspect allegedly breaks into same home twice, nine months apart
    12.7.15 – UpNorthLive.com – 28 just after 8:30 p. m. for a residential alarm. Deputies tell us they did not find anyone at the home but the house did show signs that someone broke-in. More Info
  • MO: Clay County man accused of stealing from people attending funerals
    12.11.15 – fox4kc.com – His truck was also on camera at a home whose security alarm had been set off, according to documents. When authorities obtained a search warrant to search … More Info
  • MO: St. Joseph Police Investigating Armed Robbery
    12.11.15 – stjoechannel.com – They responded to a panic alarm at World of Smokes Tobacco Outlet around 6:30 Thursday night. Police say a white man wearing a mask entered the business … More Info
  • NC: Jewelry stolen in Greenville pawn shop break-in
    12.11.15 – WNCT – Police tell 9 On Your Side officers responded to the Village Pawn Shop after an alarm went off at 2:48 a.m. Friday. When officers arrived, they … More Info
  • NC: Police respond to alarm at pharmacy
    12.7.15 – Burlington Times News – Police might have caught a glimpse of two suspects when they responded to an alarm early Monday at Medicap Pharmacy. More Info
  • NC: Police searching for suspects in Greenville burglary
    12.12.15 – WCTI12.com – The alarm went off and in those hole in the wall cases most of the time they went after the safe and in this case they went for items in plain view,” Kristen Hunter, … More Info
  • NC: Police: Man breaks into Winston-Salem store through ceiling
    12.11.15 – Greensboro News & Record – … store was robbed early this morning. Police went to Latin American Grocery about 3 a.m. after getting a call about a business alarm. More Info
  • NJ: Elmwood Park man accused of stealing cigarettes
    12.11.15 – NorthJersey.com – Police responded to the Pyramid Gift Shop around 9:45 p.m., Foligno said, following a report of a burglar alarm from the alarm company. More Info
  • NJ: South Jersey man accused of South Brunswick warehouse burglary
    12.8.15 – MyCentralJersey.com – According to police, the burglary to the WB Mason warehouse was interrupted on May 23, 2015, when the alarm was set off. A man was … More Info
  • NV: Arrest made in northwest valley burglary
    12.11.15 – KLAS-TV – Margaret’s neighbor Brett McCann confronted the suspects after they tripped an alarm system inside the house. He says he is glad to help keep trouble out of his … More Info
  • NY: Belmont man charged in pharmacy break-in
    12.7.15 – Buffalo News – Belmont – State Police charged a 42-year-old man with trespassing and criminal mischief on Saturday after they responded to a burglary alarm at a pharmacy … More Info
  • NY: Burglars on Cushman Rd. damage house, break alarm system, steal …
    12.8.15 – Scarsdale10583.com – Police responded to a burglar alarm at a house at 7:15 p.m., Dec. 5. Police discovered a rear door pried open, with extensive damage to the … More Info
  • NY: Scarsdale Police Investigating Weekend Home Burglary
    12.8.15 – The Daily Voice – Shortly before midnight on Saturday, police were dispatched to Cushman Road when a burglar alarm was set off. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence … More Info
  • OH: Four teens charged in Canton burglary
    12.10.15 – Hometownlife.com – Police responded to the burglary after an alarm company detected a break-in and, through live audio, heard a loud banging noise at the building, a police report … More Info
  • OH: Suspect only gets cigarettes in Circleville robbery after clerk refuses …
    12.7.15 – NBC4i.com – According to the Circleville Police Department, officers responded to the Kwik Stop at 320 W. Main Street, Saturday, on a hold up alarm. The clerk told police that … More Info
  • OK: Police searching for burglary suspect
    12.12.15 – KTUL – Tulsa — Tulsa police are looking for a man they believe broke into an east Tulsa business last month. Officers responded to an alarm at the business … More Info
  • OK: Police searching for suspect in midtown Whataburger robbery
    12.13.15 – KOKI FOX 23 – Tulsa police said a hold up alarm alerted them to a robbery at a midtown Tulsa Whataburger early Sunday morning. Robbery suspect got away on foot with cash. More Info
  • OK: Robber makes off with undisclosed amount of money
    12.8.15 – Stillwater News Press – A silent panic alarm was activated, and a 911 call was made about the incident. Police put up Stop Sticks in the north and east areas of town in attempt to catch … More Info
  • OK: Tulsa Police Release Photos Of iPad Thief
    12.11.15 – News On 6 – The burglar alarm alerted officers to the break in. When they arrived they learned the burglar had stolen several iPads, headphones, tablets and speakers. More Info
  • OK: East Tulsa residents: Juveniles may be responsible for recent uptick …
    12.9.15 – KOKI FOX 23 – Rhonda Olsen, who lives there, said her back door was kicked in, but she believes her alarm scared the suspects away before they could steal anything. More Info
  • OR: Graying thieves and a record heist undone in London
    12.13.15 – Bend Bulletin – They cut a gray telephone cable jutting out of an alarm box, as well as the wires of an electrical box, disabling an iron gate protecting the vault, prosecutors say. More Info
  • PA: Police seek public’s help in finding burglary suspects
    12.12.15 – Allentown Morning Call – Hatfield Township police said officers responding to a security alarm about 3:40 a.m. Tuesday went to Emert Recycling. More Info
  • TN: Mexican restaurant robbed of liquor in Hendersonville
    12.12.15 – WKRN.com – Hendersonville police said it happened at Ricardo’s, causing the burglar alarm to go off. When officers arrived, they found a rock had … More Info
  • TX: Bastrop Police seek help identifying burglary suspects
    12.10.15 – Bastrop Daily Enterprise – In the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 8, the Bastrop Police Department was notified of an alarm activation at the Optique, a business … More Info
  • TX: Dallas Couple Has Warning To Others After Home Burglarized
    12.8.15 – CBS Local – They say they have installed a burglar alarm and they are changing their habits to keep this from happening again. More Info
  • TX: Robber rams ATM with stolen bulldozer in break-in attempt
    12.13.15 – KENS 5 TV – San Antonio — A bank robbery went wrong when a burglar rammed an ATM with a stolen bulldozer and tripped the alarm. San Antonio Police are still … More Info
  • TX: Thieves bypass alarm systems to break into Ewa Beach vehicles
    12.12.15 – KHON2 – Thieves are breaking into cars without breaking locks and somehow getting past the alarm system. That’s apparently the case during a string of break-ins … More Info
  • TX: Thieves enter JC Penney by cutting hole through roof, Bosque River …
    12.10.15 – Stephenville Empire-Tribune – Police Chief Jason King said the shopping center was shut down for several hours Thursday morning after an alarm sounded in JC Penney overnight. More Info
  • VA: Guns stolen from controversial Northern Va. gun store
    12.12.15 – W*USA 9 – Officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm at Nova Firearms on Friday December 11, around 12:35 a.m. The … More Info
  • VA: Police seek 2 suspects that stole Airsoft guns from Henrico gun shop
    12.11.15 – wtvr.com- “In the video you can watch them notice the alarm went off and then they immediately turned around and left,” said Lester. The men are described as two young … More Info
  • VT: South Burlington bank robbed again
    12.8.15 – BurlingtonFreePress.com – Just before 9:30 a.m. the South Burlington Police Department received a bank alarm from the bank, which is located in front of the Kmart store, Chief Trevor … More Info
  • WI: MPD: Couple believes random gunfire shattered bathroom window
    12.8.15 – Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3 – A husband and wife woke up just after midnight to the sound of their home security alarm going off, according to a release. A security company representative … More Info
  • WV: Police make arrest in Bluewell pharmacy breaking and entering
    12.8.15 – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – According to Rose, Deputy D.A. Calloway with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department answered the alarm complaint at the Rite Aide on Saturday morning. 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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