Public Safety Updates
- IN: Pendleton ups fees for fire runs
12.11.17 – The Herald Bulletin – Under the updated fee schedule, the initial response from those vehicles would cost $750 with an additional fee of $450 per hour the vehicles are actively working the fire. The new fees also include an additional fine for responding to a false alarm caused by: improper installation, improper maintenance or a drill or test if the … More Info - PA: Software addition to cut Monroeville’s response time when alarms …
12.16.17 – Tribune-Review – Monroeville has purchased software that will eliminate the middleman between a building alarm going off and its dispatchers receiving the news. Police Chief Doug Cole said the automated secure alarm protocol will cut response time in half by sending alarm signals directly to municipal computers. Without the new system, … More Info - TN: Answering the Call
12.14.17 – Memphis Flyer – The council also hopes to raise emergency response efficiency by cracking down on false alarms. Council members approved a new rule that will require businesses with multiple false alarm incidents to verify there’s an emergency before police are dispatched to the scene. This applies to commercial businesses that have … More Info - TN: Memphis Adopts Verified Response Policy for Commercial False …
12.13.17 – Security Sales & Integration – Memphis, Tenn. – Repeat false-alarm commercial offenders will be required to verify emergencies before police will respond after a Memphis City Council committee voted Tuesday to adopt the new dispatch rule. The city will add businesses to a “verified response” list after six false alarms, Chief Operations Officer Doug … More Info - TX: City changes rules to allow refund of alarm fees for Harvey victims
12.14.17 – KTRK-TV – For many, that meant the city charged them ‘false alarm’ fees for incidents they had no way to avoid. Others were charged fees for alarms that either were never installed or installed shortly before Harvey, but ruined in the storm. Still others wanted to transfer their alarm permits to temporary homes and weren’t allowed, under … More Info - WI: Board takes up committee votes
12.13.17 – hngnews.com – 1, Windsor residents and business owners will be required to obtain permits for certain types of alarm systems. Village officials said they adopted the new ordinance to reduce false alarms generated by automatic-response systems. Four types of alarms were identified within the new law, two of which are mandated for …More Info
Industry News
- Security Experts Share Their Top 5 Trends From 2017
12.13.17 – Security Sales & Integration – The accelerating adoption of video cameras continued to drive video RMR models, whether from Cloud storage or from MIY or professional monitoring, such as video alarm verification and virtual guard tours. 3. Security companies continued to make the strategic decision to close their internal monitoring stations and … More Info - CES 2018 IoT Finds: Auto Door Closer, Virtual Roommate, Lighting …
12.14.17 – CEPro – True, lots of companies make smoke-listening devices that blink and blare when an alarm is detected. But this auto door-closing mechanism is pretty cool and could come in handy for everyday use with a little integration. You know, like if you’re an important executive and don’t want to get up from your desk to grab a little … More Info - NMC to Monitor Nest Cam Security Cameras With I-View Now …
12.16.17 – Security Sales & Integration – Through Nest’s partnership with I-View Now, NMC’s integration will allow installing security contractors to provide RMR-generating video alarm verification services to end customers who deploy Nest Cam security cameras with most any brand of alarm system, according to a press release. The new service offering … More Info - Security Gives Back in 2017
12.16.17 – SecurityInfoWatch – Every year in SD&I, we use the December issue to honor the vast number of security dealer and integrator firms – from large global integrators to small regional alarm dealers – who give back to their communities. This year, we received more submissions for this annual article than in its short four-year history; in fact, … More Info - IoT at CES 2018: You See Gadgets, We See Serious Smart Home Trends
12.15.17 – CEPro – An alarm clock that wakes you up to the smell of coffee, a standalone device that plays back lights and sounds for security and other IoT “gadgets” illustrate major smart-home themes including audio analytics, wellness, and AI. More Info - What’s New in Wholesale Central Station Monitoring
12.11.17 – SDM – Leading U.S. wholesale central stations update us on their latest technology and business advances. … More Info
State & National News
- Maryland Smoke Detector Law Mandates Change for Home Alarms
12.12.17 – NBC4 Washington – The state law went into effect on July 1, 2013, and requires the replacement of any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. Homeowners are required to install an alarm that has a sealed-in battery with a 10 year life by Jan. 1, 2018. Officials said nationally, two thirds of all home fire deaths occur … More Info - Cybersecurity Liability: Who’s to Blame if One Bad IoT Device Topples the Whole Network?
12.12.17 – CEPro – The state of IoT cybersecurity: UL says smart-home integrators and manufacturers share liability when IoT systems are hacked, warns home-tech industry to implement guidelines and best practices. More Info - Smart-home tech might help older adults live independently longer
12.8.17 – Technologies that younger adults see as fun and trendy could prove to be vital for seniors… More Info - Net neutrality revoked: What does it mean for security?
12.15.17 – SecurityInfoWatch – Adds Security Industry Association CEO Don Erickson: “Alarm companies depend on services offered by ISPs, while ISPs increasingly offer their own security monitoring, installation and related services. The security industry has sought to eliminate the potential for anti-competitive practices involving broadband access, … More Info - States warming up net neutrality lawsuits
12.14.17 – ABC – Associated Press – State attorneys general are now threatening lawsuits against the federal government’s repeal of “net neutrality” rules. More Info
Business Tips
- Effective Incentives for On-Call Technicians
12.12.17 – CEPro – Holiday season brings extra importance to incentivize after-hours support teams. Here are proven strategies to address the challenge. More Info - Don’t Get Burned: The Risks Behind Installing Fire Detection Devices
12.14.17 – SSI – Legal expert Ken Kirschenbaum explains why it may be time to stoke those insurance policies if you install fire alarms. More Info
Fire & EMS News
- CT: Fire that razed a Taco Bell restaurant ruled accidental
12.13.17 – Torrington Register Citizen – New London Fire Marshal Vernon Skau says the fire last month was electrical in nature and began near the takeout window. The Day reports firefighters responded to the early morning fire Nov. 11 after an alarm was triggered. Skau says the company plans to demolish the building and build a new Taco Bell. Investigators … More Info - GA: Armed man allegedly robs Charter Bank on West Point Road
12.15.17 – LaGrange Daily News – On Thursday afternoon, an unidentified man allegedly robbed Charter Bank at gunpoint. According to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, no employees were harmed during the robbery, but an unknown amount of money was taken. “At 2:03 p.m., 911 got a call from an alarm company that said that … More Info - MI: Crime & accidents
12.14.17 – Detroit Lakes Online – At 8:56 a.m. burnt toast set off a fire alarm. At 5:41 p.m. a caller reported his ex-girlfriend had keyed his car and let the air out of his tires. More Info - MI: No injuries after smoke alarm alerts residents of fire
12.11.17 – Port Huron Times Herald – Rescue crews responded to a house fire about 4 a.m. Monday. A fire started in the chimney of a single family home before spreading to the attic and exterior walls, said Port Huron Fire Capt. Jeff Tucker. Three people were at home when the fire began, but were alerted by their … More Info - MI: Northville Township power equipment shop opens temporary digs …
12.12.17 – Hometownlife.com – King himself reported the blaze shortly before 1 a.m. Dec. 5. His wife, he said, woke him at their home about 12:30 a.m. when their alarm company phoned about an alarm at Mark’s. Figuring it was a false alarm – that happens once or twice a year – King told the company he didn’t need police to respond and headed over … More Info - OH: Value City Arena evacuated after alarm tripped during Ohio State …
12.17.17 – Landof10.com – A surreal scene hit the Ohio State-Appalachian State basketball game on Saturday, as Value City Arena had to be evacuated after an alarm began sounding. The alarm was set off by an exhaust fan failure at a concession area in the arena, according to Bill Landis of Cleveland.com. Fans were ordered to evacuate the arena … More Info - OR: Smoke Alarm Saves Family
12.11.17 – 1340 WJOL – A smoke alarm saved the life of two residents in Plainfield. On Saturday afternoon a house fire was reported. The smoke alarm alerted the family in Plainfield. One dog was rescued by firefighters and treated for smoke inhalation. The dog was taken to an animal hospital … More Info - OR: Smoke alarms, son save Keizer family as fire destroys home
12.14.17 -Statesman Journal – After hearing about a house fire that killed a Keizer father and his 6-year-old daughter, Jennifer Craig made sure to order smoke detectors for every room. Her home had been vacant for many years and had no working smoke alarms when she, her husband Jason Craig and their eight kids moved in. Little did she know that … More Info - TN: Pete & Sam’s closes after kitchen fire
12.14.17 – The Commercial Appeal – Pete & Sam’s, the Italian restaurant on Park Avenue that opened in 1948, is temporarily closed after a fire on Tuesday. Firefighters responded to an alarm at 12:16 a.m., and the fire was under control within 20 minutes, causing about $7,000 in building damage and about $3,000 damage to contents. Sam Bomarito and his … More Info - WI: Milwaukee County Courthouse briefly evacuated after fire alarm pulled
12.15.17 – fox6now.com – Milwaukee County Courthouse briefly evacuated after fire alarm pulled. Posted 1:19 pm, December 14, 2017, by Theo … We’re told the evacuation was a result of someone pulling the fire alarm. As of 1:15 p.m., people were being let back … I am told someone pulled the fire alarm. Among other things, it disrupted the county … More Info
Crime News
- AZ: Woman convicted of burglarizing two former employers
12.12.17 – Nogales International – 16, 2014, the business owner called NPD and said the alarm company notified her of an early morning deactivation, and when she checked her now-functioning surveillance system, it had captured Ramirez entering the front door, taking money from the register, jukebox and pool tables, and locking the bar back up with a … More Info - CA: Crime Report: Burglars target Christmas presents, man nearly run …
12.14.17 – Los Angeles Times – As he approached, he heard a security alarm going off inside the residence. Positioning himself in an opening of some hedges separating the two homes, he saw two Latino males wearing dark hooded sweatshirts run from the home. The witness approached the driveway and saw the suspects enter a white … More Info - CA: Riverside homeowner confronts suspect during daytime burglary
12.13.17 – Press-Enterprise – A homeowner confronted a burglar in a daytime burglary in progress Monday, Dec. 11, and the suspect was caught as he left the rear yard of another house, according to the Riverside Police. The alarm system of the second home was activated, and the investigation revealed the suspect had gone into the house but no one … More Info - CA: Teen boy body slams robbery suspect in Yucaipa store robbery …
12.16.17 – Redlands Daily Facts – … Maxx store with two large rolling suitcases loaded with more $2,000 in merchandise, according to a San Bernardino County Yucaipa sheriff’s station news release. As the boy’s mother confronted Cruz outside the store, the alarm went off and the mother and son realized Cruz was stealing the items, …More Info - CT: Suspect hits police cruiser with stolen vehicle after burglarizing auto …
12.17.17 – FOX 61 – Southbury – A New York man caught burglarizing an auto body shop struck a responding police cruiser while trying to escape. Southbury police were dispatched to Parsell’s Auto Service after receiving reports of an alarm around 8 p.m. The responding officers noticed footsteps in the snow … More Info - GA: Calhoun police investigating weekend pharmacy burglaries, armed …
12.13.17 – Northwest Georgia News – 9, officers responded to an incident involving an alarm at Scott’s Pharmacy. Forced entry was made into the pharmacy through the front door by busting out the glass. Officers did notice a wet shoeprint leading into the pharmacy due to snow the previous evening. Several items were … More Info - GA: Two phone stores broken into in New Albany
12.13.17 – WTVA – New Albany Police responded to an alarm call at the C-Spire store to find a front window knocked out and several phones missing. Officer’s then checked the Verizon store in the same plaza 100 yards away and discovered the front glass knocked out and phones missing there as well. Surveillence video caught the burglars … More Info - IL: Bank robber caught after crashing SUV in preserve, failing to swim …
12.16.17 – Chicago Tribune – Please be silent. I have a gun,” asking for $100, $50 and $20 bills and warning the teller not to press an alarm button. The teller, shaken up by the note, started to press the alarm button, and when the teller told him the bank was closing, he said, “Give me the money. Come on, I have a weapon,” according to the affidavit. More Info - LA: 2-time Metairie Bank robbery suspect arrested after witness follows …
12.14.17 – FOX 8 News WVUE-TV – Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto announced the arrest of 54-year-old Timothy Ruiz of Jefferson for armed robbery and first-degree robbery. On Wednesday just after 2:30 p.m., members of the First District Patrol Division responded to a silent hold-up alarm at the Metairie Bank. More Info - MD: Police: Bold daytime robbers target guards refilling an ATM
12.16.17 – WTOP – At least one other alarm went off inside the bank, where employees and customers also saw what was happening. “Our detectives are working hand-in-hand with the FBI, as we do in all of these cases, but they have a 75 percent closure rate. These detectives close cases. These suspects need to know that,” said Donelan. More Info - MI: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office: Several accidents, cars in ditch …
12.11.17 – MLive.com – 7:12 a.m., Deputy Caroffino responded to Thorne Road for an alarm. … More Info - MO: Burglars strike downtown Joplin bar, McDonald’s on Main Street
12.13.17 – Joplin Globe – Some glass in the front door was broken out to gain entry, and a small amount of money was taken. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen in a break-in at 3:46 a.m. Monday at the McDonald’s. Duncan said officers responding to an alarm at the restaurant found an open door but no suspects in the … More Info - MO: Hear 911 calls from people shot at during Crestwood gun store robber
12.13.17 – kplr11.com – Police say an alarm scared them off. The criminals failed to break a big enough opening to get inside. McFarland said, “They’re younger for sure.” McFarland believes the criminals might be minors and he’s convinced they’re not worried about getting caught. “They continue to commit crimes because they don’t feel they’re … More Info - NM: Silver police find and arrest the fifth suspect allegedly involved in the …
12.14.17 – Silver City Sun-News – He lifts the bay door, and an alarm goes off so he flees. Dominguez then returned at around 12:40 a.m. and walked out with a backpack. The next night (July 9) at around 2:53 a.m., Dominguez returned and entered Bay 4. Security footage shows Dominguez pouring something into the bay and then flames are seen shooting … More Info - NY: Pizza Pizza! Squirrel Goes Nuts in NJ Little Caesars Restaurant
12.15.17 – NBC New York – … staff and customers look on. “Oh my goodness, I’m dyin'” one woman said, alternately shrieking and laughing as the animal ran past her. An initial call about the squirrel inside Little Caesars on Broadway in Paterson came in shortly before 10 a.m. Friday. That call also reported a possible burglar alarm activation. Whoops. More Info - OK: Masked man crawls through ceiling to break into metro video game …
12.13.17 – KOCO Oklahoma City – Police said the burglar tried to break security cameras and tried to cut wires to the security system, triggering the first alarm and alerting the manager. “The manager went to the store and, from the outside, didn’t see anything unusual,” said Jenny Wagnon, with the Edmond Police Department. The manager left, but the crook … More Info - OK: Police respond to calls for bank robbery, mugging, abduction, bomb …
12.14.17 – KTUL – While investigating the reported child abduction, officers were notified of a hold-up alarm at Arvest Bank. They say two men walked in and right back out with cash, but a GPS tracker was embedded within the money and officers weren’t far behind. The suspects were arrested about 20 minutes later in … More Info - PA: Burglar Caught on Cam Stealing $100K from Schuylkill County …
12.13.17 – wnep.com – … on security camera pictures stole $100,000 from a business in Schuylkill County. Troopers say over the weekend, the man broke a window to get into Weiner Iron and Metal Company. Investigators say once he got inside, he crawled on the floor to avoid motion detectors, took apart the security alarm … More Info - PA: Police log, Dec. 14, 2017
12.14.17 – Republican & Herald – Police said that between 10:15 p.m. Friday and 11:40 a.m. Sunday two people forced their way into the business. One man broke a window to gain access to the scale room office and crawled on the floor to avoid motion detectors until he reached the alarm control panel, police said. The man then disarmed the alarm panel … More Info - TN: 2 Men Sought After Subway Burglary
12.17.17 – NewsChannel5.com – Police were tipped off when a burglary alarm went off. The owner told NewsChannel5 the cash register was empty and they weren’t able to get into the safe. Nothing was reported stolen. The owner says the burglars caused several thousand dollars in damage. The owner believed a third person was with them driving the … More Info - TN: KPD: Serial home burglar caught after stealing $17200 in jewelry …
12.13.17 – Knoxville News Sentinel – Officers arrested Barnett after responding about 10:40 a.m. Monday to a home on Gaston Avenue where an alarm was sounding at the back door, according to an arrest warrant. At the bottom of some steps at the back of the house, Knoxville Police Department Officer John Pickens found “a blue backpack with what … More Info - TN: Nashville Police Pursue Germantown Porch Pirates
12.11.17 – Patch.com – Nashville, TN – Metro Police are looking for men who have been stealing packages from front porches in Germantown and Salemtown. At 5:40 Thursday morning, a man entered a home and fled after someone inside set off the home’s burglar alarm. Metro Police responded quickly and saw a man in a … More Info - TX: Insulation leads Temple Police to burglary suspect
12.14.17 – Temple Daily Telegram – A man was seen Sunday behind a chain-link fence near the back of Tires to You after a Temple Police officer went to an alarm call. The man climbed a brick retaining wall that took him into the side parking lot for Natural Grocers, a secure area. The officer recognized the man as Reyes, … More Info - TX: Police catch five suspects that broke into Koppe Bridge Bar and Grill
12.15.17 – KBTX – Around 3:00 a.m., the alarm went off in the restaurant. Owners saw people rummaging around the restaurant on security cameras and called police. Five suspects have been taken into custody for the attempted burglary. College Station police are continuing their investigation, but they do believe they caught everyone … More Info - UT: Wave of pharmacy burglaries continues to surge in Utah, Nevada
12.16.17 – St George News – Cedar City – Police are asking for the public’s help after two pharmacy burglaries occurred, one in Cedar City and the other in Mesquite, Nevada, within hours of each other Thursday, while police investigate dozens of similar incidents in Las Vegas that remain unsolved. At 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to an alarm at … More Info - WI: Smash and grab burglar hits East Side store, Madison police say
12.14.17 – Madison.com – A burglar shattered door glass at an East Side business early Wednesday morning, allowing the thief to steal consumer electronics from the store. The smash and grab burglary happened at about 2 a.m. at Get It Now, Madison police said. Officers responded to a burglar alarm at the store and … 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