301.519.9237 exdirector@nesaus.org

Public Safety Updates

  • AZ: Paradise Valley budget talks illustrate a municipality in full bloom
    4.16.18 – Paradise Valley Independent – In addition to general police operations PVPD officials are responsible for the community’s legacy alarm system, which in 2017 resulted in more than 3,000 false alarm calls. In 2017, 99.86 percent of the 3,682 security alarms the police department responded to were false, or didn’t result in the discovery of criminal activity, … More info
  • GA: In false-alarm war, Sandy Springs may reduce fines, change call …
    4.17.18 – Reporter Newspapers – However, the underlying goal remains the same: Slashing a reported 11,000 false alarms a year – a nearly 100 percent false rate – by forcing companies to adopt modern alarm-system technologies of audio or video verification that a burglar is inside a property, or at least hire a private security force to check it out first. More info
  • GA: Sandy Springs Could Tweak False Alarm Ordinance
    4.19.18 – Patch.com – Sandy Springs, GA – The city of Sandy Springs could make some changes to its false alarm ordinance that’s drawn the ire of some in the industry who have banded together to challenge the constitutionality of the city’s law. Police Chief Ken DeSimone outlined some of these suggested changes to the City Council at its … More info
  • GA: Sandy Springs Police Chief Proposes Changes to Embattled False …
    4.18.18 – Security Sales & Integration – The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), along with the Georgia Electronic Life Safety & System Association (GELSSA), contend Sandy Springs officials “declared war on the alarm industry and the customers it serves” after the industry challenged a new city ordinance that fined alarm companies instead of customers for … More info
  • NJ: East Brunswick residents, businesses must register alarm systems
    4.17.18 – centraljersey.com – In recent years, false alarms accounted for approximately 98 percent of all alarm calls, according to information provided by the East Brunswick Police Department. These false alarms divert law enforcement resources from crimes in progress, other emergency situations, and time spent patrolling assigned areas, officials … More info
  • NJ: Electronic False Alarms Cause Major Problems for Police
    4.18.18 – TAPinto.net – East Brunswick, NJ – Security systems are great tools to help keep people safe, but they can be costly when a system is triggered without an emergency. In recent years, false alarms account for approximately 98% of all alarm calls say the East Brunswick Police. These false alarms divert law enforcement resources from … More info
  • WA: New software will reduce false alarm system calls for Kennewick …
    4.16.18 – NBC Right Now – Kennewick, WA – With windy season upon us, the chances for your security system to accidentally go off are higher than ever – but Kennewick Police are looking to stop these calls once and for all. In 2017 alone, Kennewick Police responded to more than 1,000 false alarm calls. These ranged from something as small as …More info

Industry News

  • ESSC Acquires Commercial Fire Accounts From Frase Protection
    4.17.18 – Security Sales & Integration – Memphis, TN – Electronic Security Specialists (ESSC), based here, has purchased the required commercial fire alarm accounts from Frase Protection, one of the largest privately owned wireless security systems providers in the greater Memphis area. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1987 … More info
  • Sonitrol National Dealers Association Elects John Ray III to Be …
    4.21.18 – Security Sales & Integration – Based here, the association represents Sonitrol’s network of 60 dealers operating in 125 major markets across the United States that distribute and service the company’s fully integrated verified electronic security solutions. Under Ray’s leadership, SNDA will educate the public about verified alarm technology’s ability to … More info
  • Video surveillance evolves from ‘dumb’ cameras to ‘intelligent’ sensors
    4.19.18 – SIW – Experts weigh in on the push towards smarter surveillance solutions, other industry trends at ISC West… More info
  • Select Security Expands Reach Into Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama
    4.17.18 – SDM – Select Security, provider of security and life safety solutions for homes and businesses and ranked No. 32 on the SDM 100, is pleased to announce it has completed the purchase of several companies as part of its expansion in the southeast. The purchases added 6,000 customers, bringing Select Security’s rapidly growing total number of customers to more than 80,000. More info
  • The Z-Wave Toolbox Shows The Secrets
    4.2.18 – SDM – Z-Wave is a wildly popular wireless communication method for low-bandwidth devices and controls such as locks, lighting and thermostats. More info

State & National News

  • Amid DACA uncertainty, states open professions to ‘Dreamers’
    4.20.18 – Stateline – Indiana now lets DACA recipients apply for professional licenses. “Dreamers” have thrived for two years in Nebraska with a similar policy.  More info
  • The Importance of a Home Systems Installer to a High-Tech Smart Home
    4.19.18 – EH – 6 traits to look for when hiring a home systems installer to set up the tech equipment in your smart home. More info
  • New smoke alarms help the hearing-impaired rest easy
    4.22.18 – Sioux City Journal – Unlike a traditional smoke alarm, hearing-impaired smoke alarms consist of several pieces. Part one is a smoke detector unit with the usual earsplitting screech, plus a blinding strobe light; part two, a device that looks like an alarm clock (featuring, as a useful bonus, a clock) which listens for an alarm from the main smoke …More Info

Business Tips

  • How Quotas, Other Factors Are Hurting Your Installation Quality
    4.19.18 – Security Sales & Integration – As a professional installer, how many times have you taken your family out for an evening and you witnessed a badly installed alarm, cameras, or some other low-voltage system? Perhaps it was in a restaurant, a grocery store, gas station, auto repair shop, or a department store. The image of that misinstalled keypad, door … More info
  • Who Owns The Door?
    4.19.18 – SDM – For each door opening, there are dozens of mechanical and electrified components, specified and sourced from multiple manufacturers. The end product must meet the design, form, and budget of the architect, security consultant, and end user. More Info
  • Five best practices of effective sales coaches
    4-18-18 – SSN – One of the largest gaps I see in sales managers’ performance is their lack of coaching. I don’t mean formal sales training, but coaching done by one’s boss—the roll-up-the-sleeves and show-you-how-to-do-it type of coaching. I’m referring to the field rides with 45-minute debriefs at Starbucks, working on a solution in a closed conference room together, and running through role-playing scenarios in the car, just before heading in for the presentation. That’s coaching. More info
  • How to Succeed in the Increasingly Challenging Security Market
    4.1.18 – SDM – System integrators are upgrading how they do business to save time, work more efficiently and ultimately form stronger relationships with clients. More info
  • How to Protect Security Systems >From Hackers, Cyber Attacks
    4.16.18 – Find out the technologies and practices being administered to keep unwanted code and intruders out of security networks and devices. More Info

Fire & EMS News

  • AL: 40 people displaced after Birmingham apartment fire
    4.22.18 – WSFA – “She said she was asleep and she heard her son’s fire alarm go off. She looked out the door and saw the smoke and flames and everything, and she noticed she couldn’t get out,” she said. Her cousin was trapped in her apartment on the third floor with only one way out: jumping from her balcony. “First she threw her son out, … More Info
  • CT: Shelton Fire Department Weekly Calls
    4.16.18 – Valley Independent Sentinel – Shelton Fire Marshal James Tortora submitted the following summary of the Shelton Volunteer Fire Department’s calls from the last two weeks. On 04/04/18 at 11:52 am the Huntington Co. #3, Echo Hose Co. #1 and the Pine Rock Co. #4 responded to the Marriott Residence Inn for a fire alarm … More info
  • IL: Police 4-16-18
    4.16.18 – MyWebTimes.com – They found an alarm in the gym had been pulled, but there was no fire. Ottawa firefighters responded at 7:22 p.m. Friday to a fire alarm. They found the motor in a humidifier had overheated. At 8:35 a.m. Friday, Ottawa firefighters responded to an alarm at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, but learned … More info
  • IL: Sprinkler System Helps Save Plainfield Business
    4.20.18 – 1340 WJOL – A fire sprinkler system is credited with extinguishing a fire in the restroom at the Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop. On Tuesday, April 3 rd at 12:21 P.M. the Plainfield Fire Protection District responded to a fire alarm for this business. While in route to the fire a 9-1-1 call came in advising that there was a fire in the … More info
  • MA: Cohasset police log, April 9-15
    4.21.18 – Wicked Local – 6:47 p.m.: A carbon monoxide alarm was reported going off at the South Shore Community Center. Fire personnel reported nothing showing and confirmed an issue with a plug in the detector. Tuesday, April 10. 3:59 p.m.: A caller reported a vehicle smoking in their neighbors driveway … More info
  • MA: Smoke-Filled Home, Stolen Package: Wellesley Police Log
    4.21.18 – Patch.com – 7:38 p.m. and 10:19 p.m. – Officer DeBernardi was dispatched to a residence for a fire alarm activation. On both occasions, the resident appeared intoxicated and the first floor of the residence was filled with smoke. The smoke appeared to have resulted from an oven being left on. The resident was taken into protective … More info
  • ME: Bath Police Beat: April 20
    4.20.18 – The Forecaster –  4/10 at 11:42 a.m. Fire alarm. 4/12 at 3:13 p.m. Fire alarm. More info
  • PA: Sentinel area fire calls for April 15
    4.16.18 – Carlisle Sentinel – Sunday, April 15. 4:16 a.m.: automatic fire alarm,….. More info
  • TN: Smoke alarm saves woman, 8 children from Whitehaven house fire
    4.20.18 – wreg.com – Memphis, TN – A smoke alarm helped a woman and her eight children escape a house fire Thursday morning, according to the Memphis Fire Department. According to the report, fire crews responded to the scene around 7 a.m.. The one-story home was up in flames by the time first … More info

Crime News

  • CA: Man found inside home being fumigated arrested on suspicion of …
    4.16.18 – The San Diego Union-Tribune – A 47-year-old Chula Vista man was arrested on suspicion of burglary early Monday after he triggered a security alarm inside a home that was being fumigated, police said. A security company contacted police around 2 a.m. after an alarm sensor was set off inside a home, said police … More info
  • CA: McKinleyville Burglar Caught In the Act of Stealing a Motorcycle …
    4.19.18 – Lost Coast Outpost – On April 19, 2018, at about 4:55 a.m. deputies were dispatched for a residential burglary alarm. Upon arrival to the residence, deputies heard noises coming from the back yard. Deputies entered the back yard and observed a male subject attempting to pull a motorcycle … More Info
  • CO: Logan County Sheriff’s deputies respond to burglar alarm …
    4.17.18 – Journal Advocate – Logan County Sheriff’s deputies respond to burglar alarm, suspicious vehicle … At 9:38 a.m. deputies were dispatched regarding a burglary alarm. … At 3:46 p.m. deputies were dispatched regarding an activated burglary alarm. More Info
  • ID: Alarming security system stories
    4.16.18 – Coeur d’Alene Press – In the beginning, my wife and I accidentally set off the silent alarm. The company called the police. We were quickly confronted by two dedicated public servants in blue who asked both of us to “break out some ID.” We got used to the system and quit setting it off by accident. The months rolled along without further incident. More Info
  • IL: Police respond to burglary call in River Forest
    4.17.18 – Wednesday Journal – River Forest police responded to a home at about 11:15 a.m. on April 17 after receiving a call from an alarm company for an activated burglar alarm at the address, according to a press release. Upon arrival, officers found a glass rear door shattered. The offenders had fled prior to police … More Info
  • IN: Police News: Clerk, customer robbed at gunpoint
    4.21.18 – Goshen News – A vehicle and other items were stolen during a burglary at an auto dealership in Goshen. An alarm alerted Goshen police to the crime at Walters Auto Sales around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, police said in a report. Police at the scene found the business was broken-into and that property was stolen along with … More Info
  • MA: Athol Police Log
    4.20.18 – Athol Daily News – 2:53 p.m. – Residential burglar alarm activation. More Info
  • MA: Littleton police reports: April 12-18
    4.20.18 – Wicked Local Littleton – 11:48 p.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. Monday, April 16. 4:59 a.m.: A box alarm was reported. … More Info
  • MA: Rochester Police Log, April 1-7
    4.18.18 – Wicked Local – 10:10 p.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. Friday, April 6. 1:53 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 11:37 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. … More Info
  • MA: Rockland police log, March 11-17
    4.21.18 – Wicked Local – 10:51 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported at South Shore BMW. Wednesday, March 14. 7:47 a.m.: A disturbance. 8:04 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 9 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported … More Info
  • MA: Store break-in leads to chase, arrests, according to police
    4.22.18 – wwlp.com – Patel tells us, the suspects stole mostly cigarettes, about one hundred cartons, and several hundred dollars in rolled coins. On top of what was stolen, there was also more damage. The family said the alarm system was cut after police were already notified, the back office was ransacked, and the suspects broke into the safe. More Info
  • MA: Swampscott police log, April 11-15
    4.21.18 – Wicked Local – 12:01 p.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 1:26 p.m.: A fire alarm was … More Info
  • MS: Man, juvenile caught burglarizing electronics store
    4.18.18 – Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal – Holly Springs – Police responding to an early morning burglar alarm call found a man and a juvenile still in the store holding bags of merchandise. Holly Springs police were dispatched at 4:03 a.m. on March 27 to Sam’s Wireless. The officers apprehended two suspects inside the store … More Info
  • NC: 2 detained after allegedly breaking into Albemarle Road Elementary …
    4.20.18 – WSOC Charlotte – Charlotte, NC – Two people have been taken into custody after police said they were caught breaking into Albemarle Road Elementary school in east Charlotte early Friday morning. Officers responded just before 5 a.m. to an alarm call at the school … More Info
  • NC: Burglars target four city restaurants
    4.21.18 – Asheboro Courier Tribune – An alarm took Officer J. Asbell to America’s Roadhouse just before 4 a.m. where he found that a front glass door at the restaurant, had … Officer S. Reynolds responded to an alarm – and apparent break-in – at Burrito Brothers at about 2:40 a.m. She found glass … More Info
  • NC: Two accused of breaking into southeast Charlotte elementary school
    4.20.18 – WBTV – Two people are accused of breaking into an elementary school in southeast Charlotte Friday morning. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, officers responded to Albemarle Road Elementary School shortly before 5 a.m. in reference to an alarm. Police saw two people running from the school. More Info
  • NM: Taos Police arrest man accused of breaking into bank
    4.21.18 – KRQE News 13 – Taos, NM – Police arrested a man for breaking into a bank, but they’re not sure he was there to rob it. According to the Taos News, police found 20-year-old Alejandro Sanchez-Alirez in the Centinel Bank around 2 a.m. after he tripped the alarm. Officers say he ran to the second-floor balcony and sprayed them with … More Info
  • NY: Man accused of pulling fire alarm, punching hole in wall at police …
    4.17.18 – WNYT – Man accused of pulling fire alarm, punching hole in wall at police station. April 17, 2018 05:50 PM. – Police say a man pulled the fire alarm at the state police station in Queensbury and knocked a hole in the wall. More Info
  • OH: Conneaut police
    4.18.18 – The Star Beacon – A burglar alarm heard at 2:50 p.m. Saturday was investigated by police. … More Info
  • OR: Caught on Camera: Thief uses rock to break into Pearl District …
    4.22.18 – KPTV.com – Best said she had cameras rolling and even a working alarm system, but both didn’t deter the crook one bit. “Definitely crime is getting worse,” she said. In fact, something like this has happened before. Just last month, Fox 12 spoke with the owner of a nearby Lebanese restaurant who shared similar surveillance video. More Info
  • PA: Police log: Family argument in a vehicle
    4.17.18 – The Evening Sun – 5:22 p.m. Burglar alarm. More Info
  • PA: Police: Upper Darby gun shop burglarized; 22 guns stolen
    4.18.18 – FOX 29 News Philadelphia – There was an alarm system at the range but it failed to activate. Inside surveillance cameras did capture video of the suspects, but it was not released by police. “When you got this much firepower capable of firing hundreds of rounds of ammunition, all semi- automatics – all brand new – what’s next,” Superintendent … 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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