301.519.9237 exdirector@nesaus.org

4-9-18 NESA Monitor

Public Safety Updates

  • AZ: Phoenix-area police ask city for false alarm call consequences
    4.2.18 – KTAR.com – Phoenix – A staggering rate of false alarm calls in Paradise Valley has led the town’s police department to take action. More than 99 percent of the 3,672 security alarms that the Paradise Valley Police Department responded to in 2017 were false alarms, chief Peter Wingert told the Paradise Valley Independent. Only five … More Info
  • AZ: Police in Paradise Valley, Ariz., Are Gunning to Slash False …
    4.3.18 – Security Sales & Integration – The police chief in this affluent community near Phoenix has received approval from the town council to being penalizing repeat false-alarm offenders in their pocket books. According to Paradise Valley Police Department records, police officers responded to 3,672 security alarms in 2017, of which more than 99% were false … More Info
  • GA: Burglar alarm industry blasts Sandy Springs ban as helping ‘bad guys’
    4.5.18 – Reporter Newspapers – Sandy Springs’ decision to halt police response on all burglar alarms from 39 companies is being blasted by a top industry official as treating citizens as “pawns to experiment” and giving information that helps “the bad guys.” “They’re using the citizens as pawns to experiment on something they think is going to work,” said … More Info
  • GA: Sandy Springs beginning to collect alarm company fines ahead of ban
    4.7.18 – MyAJC – Eight alarm companies that operate in Sandy Springs have paid the city more than $8,000 in fines following a threat that police there would stop responding to those companies’ calls if the money was not paid. But there are still 31 other businesses whose customers may find their contracts worthless if fines are not paid by … More Info
  • GA: Sandy Springs puts 39 burglar alarm companies on no-response list
    4.4.18 – Reporter Newspapers – Thirty-nine security companies – including some of the industry’s top brands – are partly banned from doing business in Sandy Springs until they pay overdue fines, with police no longer responding to their burglar alarms. Fire alarms and panic-button type alarms will still get a response, and a direct call to 911 always will, … More Info
  • GA: Sandy Springs, Ga., cuts off alarm response to customers of 39 …
    4.5.18 – SecurityInfoWatch – On the heels on the announcement that the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the Georgia Electronic Life Safety & System Association (GELSSA) have filed a lawsuit against the City of Sandy Springs, Ga., over what it calls “unconstitutional” false alarm fees directed at security alarm dealers, the city fired back on … More Info
  • LA: VERIFY: Are letters from Dallas really about NOPD false alarm …
    4.4.18 – WWLTV.com – New Orleans – If you have an alarm system and live or work in the city, you might have received what looks like an odd letter that claims to be from the New Orleans Police Department. A number of Eyewitness News viewers asked if they were legitimate. The NOPD’s familiar logo is printed in the top left corner, but look … More Info
  • MD: Baltimore 911 dispatch system hacked, officials confirm
    4.4.18 – Hack affected messaging functions within the CAD system… More Info
  • MD: Prince George’s County, MD Goes Live with Automated Secure Alarm …
    3.22.18 – www.itbusinessnet.com ASAP was formed following a partnership between The Monitoring Association (formerly the Central Station Alarm Association) and the Association of Public Safety, with Vector Security President and CEO Pam Petrow co-chairing the committee. Nationwide, others that have implemented ASAP include … More Info

Industry News

  • Johnson Controls Acquires Smartvue to Add IoT Video Services Platform
    4.2.18 – SSI – The Smartvue platform supports IoT technologies that enable secure video in almost any device to connect with a global Cloud, accessed through an intuitive interface. More Info
  • Select Security Seals 5 Deals to Expand Footprint in 3 Southern States
    4.6.18 – SSI – With purchases in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, Select Security adds 6,000 accounts to bring its expanding customer base to more than 80,000. More Info
  • How VMS Has Evolved Into an Enterprise Management Tool
    4.6.18 – SSI – Find out how VMS technology is shifting focus from detection and documentation toward prevention, as well as hardening cybersecurity. More Info

State & National News

  • DIY Home Security Tech Gaining Ground
    4.2.18 -Sensors Online – According to Persistence Market Research, a rise in burglaries and property crimes across the world in the past decade is driving the adoption of home security systems among consumers. Owing to the interoperability and ease of using do-it-yourself (DIY) home security solutions, demand is rising in both residential as well … More Info
  • Which Smart Home Security Device Do You Trust? Readers Weigh In
    4.4.18 – PCMag-  As for what type of smart home security devices people would consider purchasing, 42 percent said outdoor cameras, 33 percent said smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or leak sensors, 31 percent said indoor cameras, 29 percent said alarm systems, 23 percent said smart locks and doorbells, and 20 percent said motion … More Info
  • Superion buys Public Safety Corporation
    4.4.18 – SSN – Lake Mary, Fla. – Superion, a provider of software and IT solutions, on March 27 purchased Public Safety Corporation, which – among other products – produces the CryWolf false alarm solutions. More Info
  • Is Professional Installation a Barrier to Smart Home Adoption?
    4.6.18 – SSI – A consumer audience segmentation study by Kwikset reveals whether or not professional installation has an effect on purchasing decisions. More Info

Business Tips

  • Why It’s Important to Proactively Reach Out to Your Customers
    4.3.18 – Security Sales & Integration – Throughout my years in the industry, I’ve noticed a troubling sentiment from many alarm dealers who think that “No news is good news! As long as my customers are paying their monthly monitoring bill, my customers must be happy — life is good.” As a result, many alarm dealers seem to be afraid to proactively contact their … More Info
  • 7 Complaints of Successful Luxury Salespeople
    4.4.18 – CEPro – Change these seven problems, from spending too much energy on social media to altering product lines, and boost sales by 30%, according to the Luxury… More Info
  • Beware New 2018 Tax Act Meal and Entertainment Deduction Rules
    4.5.18 – SSI – Not only do new 2018 tax act rules increase the net cost of the travel to an employer, it creates new procedures for bookkeeping and accounting personnel. More Info
  • What Every Integrator Should Know About Interoperability
    4.5.18 – SSI – Although network interoperability has been a buzzword for video surveillance and access control systems for the past several years, we’ve only recently begun to realize that there are a host of other issues that need to be addressed. More Info

Fire & EMS News

  • MA: Georgetown police reports: March 23-29
    4.4.18 – Wicked Local – 6:27 p.m.: A fire alarm was reported. 9:16 p.m.: A fire alarm was reported … More Info
  • NJ: Police: Pot smoke sets off dorm room alarm at Centenary
    4.4.18 – New Jersey Herald – Hackettstown — A fire alarm that brought authorities to Van Winkle Hall at Centenary University during the early morning hours last week was caused by a student smoking marijuana in his dorm room, police said. Jared Andino, 21, of East Stroudsburg, Pa., was charged with being under the influence. Around 1:38 a.m., … More Info
  • UT: First responders save litter of puppies from garage fire in Woods Cross
    4.7.18 – fox13now.com – Woods Cross, Utah — A litter of puppies survived a garage fire in Woods Cross thanks to neighbors and first responders. The fire started Monday while the family was not home, but neighbors heard the fire alarm, saw smoke and called 911. Firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze, and in the process Officer … More Info

Crime News

  • AR: Former employee allegedly burglarizes Mt. Pine store
    4.3.18 – Hot Springs Sentinel – The owner stated there was no sign of forced entry and the alarms had not been triggered. About $3,700 worth of merchandise was reportedly taken from the store, including money, cigarettes and lottery tickets. Security footage allegedly showed a man, known to the owner as Franklin Kelly, inside the store around 4 a.m. on … More Info
  • AR: Officers respond to alarm with shots fired call
    4.5.18 – Helena Daily World – Helena-West Helena Cpl. Phillip Keys was dispatched in response to an alarm call and shots fired. Cpl. Phillips arrived on the scene and spoke to Arkansas Constable James Jones. Jones stated he had received an alarm call at his building. Jones told Cpl. Phillips he entered the building a saw a black … More Info
  • CA: A Cambria jewelry shop was burglarized — and says the alarm …
    4.4.18 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune – A Grover Beach security company is accused not only of installing a “worthless” alarm system in a Cambria jewelry store shortly before a burglary cost the shop up to $47,000, but the store’s owners say the company was behind it — and other burglaries. Last week, San Simeon attorney Wiley Ramey filed a lawsuit in San … More Info
  • CA: Hunt For Funeral Burglar
    4.2.18 – LA Canyon News – He entered the garage door, kicking it open which set off an alarm. This caused him to abort the attempt and flee in his car. The vehicle, as seen in the footage, is described by police as a white Mercedes 4 door with tinted windows, chrome rims, a sunroof and no front plate. The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, … More Info
  • CA: Oakland Police arrest 3 burglary suspects
    4.2.18 – KTVU San Francisco – Oakland, Calif. – Oakland Police captured three burglary suspects early Monday morning. Police say they were alerted by an auto body shop’s alarm system. Police set up perimeters around the building and deployed a k9. Three adult male suspects were … More Info
  • CO: String of crime plagues Stetson Hills neighborhood in Colorado …
    4.7.18 – KRDO – A few weeks ago Wilson woke up to an alarm from her Ring doorbell camera. “I looked out the window and the cops were across the street, so I went over there and the neighbors had two vehicles stolen,” said Wilson. It turned out to be part of more than a dozen cars that were either broken into or stolen in the area recently. More Info
  • FL: 4 men scared off by alarm while burglarizing Miami business, police …
    4.2.18 – WPLG Local 10 – Miami police spokeswoman, Officer Kiara Delva, said in a news release Monday that authorities were called to the business about an audible alarm sounding. She said officers arrived at the scene to find a hole on the side of the business, along with a white box truck that was left running with the ignition broken. More Info
  • GA: Frightened homeowner mistakenly shoots real estate photographer …
    4.3.18 – 13WMAZ.com – The alarm was going off, so she grabbed her gun. When she saw the man near the kitchen entry from the garage door, she fired several shots. It wasn’t until she saw a camera and tripod, the homeowner realized that man was actually the photographer. Excerpts from the emotional 911 call revealed the homeowner’s panic. More Info
  • IL: Alton police SUV, sedan in Friday morning crash on MLK, no serious …
    4.7.18 – Alton Telegraph – “At about 9:15 a.m. a police officer was traveling to back up an officer who was responding to a holdup alarm at The Bank of Edwardsville,” said Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons of the Alton Police Department. Simmons said the alarm turned out … More Info
  • IL: Blotter: Burglary reported at Wheel and Sprocket on Monday
    4.3.18 – Daily Northwestern – Officers responded to a burglar alarm set off at Wheel and Sprocket bike shop early Monday morning. Evanston police communications coordinator Perry Polinski told The Daily in an email that when officers arrived on the scene around 12:15 a.m., they observed that the front door glass was broken. He said … More Info
  • MA: Rochester Police log, March 25-31
    4.4.18 – Wicked Local – 3:29 p.m.: A burglar alarm was reported on…. More Info
  • MA: Rockland police log, Feb. 16-22
    4.7.18 – Wicked Local – 11:27 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported on Liberty Street. Police checked OK…. More Info
  • MA: Walpole Police searching for 2 suspects in home break-in
    4.2.18 – Boston 25 News – “They pried open the back sliding glass door and they went upstairs, they were in the house for a very short period of time,” said Sergeant Jim O’Connell. While surveillance cameras caught one of the suspects in the act and were able to give police a very clear picture of who to look for, an error in the alarm system delayed … More Info
  • MI: Intruder breaks into Allen Park pharmacy
    4.7.18 – Southgate News Herald – If that was the intention of a person who broke into an Allen Park drug store, the would-be thief apparently wasn’t able to steal them, or left suddenly for an unknown reason. According to police, officers were sent to Uptown Pharmacy at 2:24 a.m. on April 2 in response to a burglar alarm. Officers arrived … More Info
  • MO: Blue Springs police looking for thief after multiple Monday robberies
    4.3.18 – KMBC Kansas City – That’s when the owner saw it on security video and called the alarm company. The criminal ran off as the alarm sounded. “It didn’t look like a little kid’s arm,” Rheuark said, adding another police department has reached out to see if this might be connected to other robberies happening on weekends, or in the morning. More Info
  • MS: Couple indicted in burglary
    4.3.18 – Natchez Democrat – Officers at the time said Knapp attempted to break into the office of the Dollar General on U.S. 61 South by smashing through the store’s glass front door, which set off an alarm. Knapp, officials say, was unsuccessful and left without taking anything. Knapp also was facing Natchez Police Department charges from unrelated … More Info
  • NC: Bank robber nabbed after search
    4.4.18 -Laurinburg Exchange – Laurinburg – The term quick heist took on a whole new meaning when police nabbed a bank robber after a short search. Isaac Tyrone West, 35, was arrested for a break in at Hamlet Federal Credit Union late Thursday evening, according to Patrol Captain Chris Young. Officers responded to an alarm call … More Info
  • NV: Sparks Police looking for woman who robbed bank
    4.7.18 – KOLO – Sparks, Nev. – Sparks Police are looking for the woman who robbed a teller at a US Bank branch Friday night. About 7:15PM April 6, 2018, officers responded to a hold-up alarm at the US Bank inside Safeway. Officers were told a white woman with a small/slight build had robbed a teller, … More Info
  • NY: Man arrested for burglarizing grocery store in downtown Syracuse
    4.4.18 – CNYcentral.com – According to Syracuse Police, officers responded to the Downtown Grocery Store around 12:13 a.m. on Tuesday in regards to a burglary investigation. The owner of the store reported he heard the store’s audible burglary alarm and responded to the front entrance of the store, police said. More Info
  • OH: Burglar strikes Westlake restaurant: police blotter
    4.8.18 – cleveland.com – Westlake, Ohio – Burglary, Detroit Road: Police responded to a burglar alarm about 5:30 a.m. March 31 at Zoup, which is a restaurant at Crocker Park. No one was around when officers arrived, but they found someone burglarized the business. A single unknown person used a tool to force their way into the rear door of … More Info
  • OH: Police piece together evidence following Easter break-in, burglary at …
    4.5.18 – WTOV Steubenville – This alleged break-in came in as an alarm call. That aspect of security helped, but other aspects of security – like video surveillance – could complicate the process of catching the suspects. Steubenville police responded around 8:40 p.m. Easter Sunday to the alarm call inside the Fort Steuben Mall, which was closed for the … More Info
  • OK: Different thieves strike same Oklahoma City car wash within days
    4.3.18 – KOKH FOX25 – On March 26, police say a different man stole aluminum beams from the property. The man was scared off after entering the wash bay of the business and tripping an alarm. More Info
  • OR: Burglar steals $260000 worth of jewelry from local business
    4.4.18 -KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2 – Schulzke thinks the only reason the burglar was able to get away was because the store’s alarm system failed to go off. “It was set but a few pieces weren’t working because if it did work, he would have not gotten away with all that stuff,” said Schulzke. Not only is Schulzke working with the alarm company, he’s also scanning … More Info
  • PA: Recent Incidents and Charges from the Montoursville Police Dept.
    4.4.18 – NorthcentralPa.com – 3/29 – An Officer responded to a burglar alarm. It was determined it was a false alarm prior to arrival….. More Info
  • SC: Jewelry store burglarized in Spartanburg
    4.5.18 – WSPA.com – According to a Spartanburg Police Department report, officers responded to Rufus D. Lewis Jeweler, located at 139 Fernwood Drive, in reference to a business alarm. When officers arrived on-scene they found the window next to the door shattered, as well as saw three pieces of jewelry on the ground. The inside door of the … More Info
  • VA: Search for suspect underway after early morning robbery at 7-Eleven
    4.2.18 – 13newsnow.com WVEC – Norfolk, Va. — Police are searching for the suspect that robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store Monday morning. We’re told officers responded to a robbery alarm around 7 a.m. at the store. The clerk told police that a man entered the store, … More Info
  • VA: Search for suspected killer shutdown I-64
    4.2.18 – wtvr.com – About a hour later, Henrico Police were called to investigate an alarm and determined someone had stolen a white pick-up truck from a business near the fatal shooting. Officers eventually found that stolen truck. Officers pursued the truck and tried to flatten its tire in an attempt to … 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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