301.519.9237 exdirector@nesaus.org

5-23-16 NESA Monitor

May 23, 2016

About NESA

The National Electronic Security Alliance 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. Over the next weeks we will give you short articles about the alliance.

Do you really want to retain the risk when you buy “Insurance”?

Some industry associations offer insurance with enhanced coverage and discount rates, others offer risk retention groups that differ from regular insurance in several ways.

  • Risk retention groups are owned and operated by the association that sponsors them. This means that the association has a strong financial incentive to get you to sign up.
  • With a risk retention group, the people who buy the “insurance” thru the group are all liable for the risk of anyone in the group. If one or more members of the group suffer losses greater than what the risk retention group has set aside or obtained reinsurance for, then all of the members are liable for the loss.
  • Risk retention groups are exempt from regulation in your state and only have to comply with the rules in the one state where they are formed. Groups setting up risk retention groups usually select the state that is most favorable to them, this may or may not be to your advantage.
  • With regular insurance, the companies pay into a state program to cover losses if the company goes out of business. With regular insurance, you would be able to draw from this state fund if your insurance company could not pay the claim. Because a risk retention group does not pay into the fund, you would not be able to draw from this state fund if your risk retention group could not pay the claim.
  • Because the risk retention group is exempt from state regulation, your state will have limited power to help you if there are problems.
  • With regular insurance, the companies hire legal and insurance professionals to resolve any claims. With a risk retention group, claims resolution is managed by an industry volunteer designated by the board of the risk retention group. This person’s industry knowledge can work in your favor, but politics and time constraints may work against you.

Take time to compare any endorsed programs, especially insurance, to make sure they are the best for you.

Door to Door Sales

  • Bates Security Warns Customers of Man Pretending To Be Employee
    5.17.16 -LEX18 Lexington KY News – They say he told the people he was there to service their alarm system and when one customer let him in, he asked the homeowner for the password. More Info

Public Safety Updates

  • AZ: Security-alarm permit program up for review by Prescott Council
    5.16.16 – The Daily Courier – Prescott – While the false-alarm ordinance that the city implemented in 2011 has been effective in reducing the number of false calls, city officials say a … More Info
  • FL: Palmetto City Commission Agenda Results: 5/16/2016
    5.17.16 – The Bradenton Times – Palmetto – At Monday’s city commission meeting, members took the first step in passing Ordinance 2016-07, regulating security alarm businesses limiting … More Info
  • AZ: Adjustments could be in store for Prescott’s proposed security alarm …
    5.18.16 – The Daily Courier – Prescott – Coming just two weeks after city approval of a new business license program, the proposal for a mandatory security-alarm registration raised … More Info
  • LA: NOPD says murders are down by 30% this year
    5.15.16 – WGNO – Finally, in 2015, the City Council unanimously approved an updated false alarm ordinance that, when fully implemented, will free up the equivalent of at least six … More Info

Industry News

  • Appliance Science: How carbon monoxide detectors work
    5.17.16 -CNET- Inside the carbon monoxide alarm is a small sensor with three electrodes on it. These three electrodes lead into a container of a chemical called the electrolyte. More Info
  • CSAA may change name to ‘The Monitoring Association’
    5.18.16 -Security Systems News – Fort Worth, Texas—The Central Station Alarm Association may be renamed “The Monitoring Association,” if CSAA members approve the name change in a .. More Info
  • Majority of Canadians Believe Security Systems Increase Value of …
    5.19.16 – Security Sales & Integration – More than three out of four (76%) believe that a monitored alarm system is effective in improving safety and security of their homes. More Info
  • Supreme Security Systems Acquires Nearby CWR Security Systems
    5.19.16 – Security Sales & Integration – According to Supreme, CWR customers will not experience an interruption in the alarm monitoring services provided and none of the charges associated with … More Info
  • The Do-it-for-Me Approach to Having a Smart Home
    5.12.16 – EH – Icontrol Networks profiles customers of professionally installed smart home systems, and shows high satisfaction. More Info
  • HDMI Corner: 4K UHD Issues Are Beginning to Roll In
    5.19.16 – CEPro – We are finally seeing true 4K 18Gbps content arriving, with in-field infrastructures not being able to support it. What can we do about this issue? More Info

State & National News

  • Obama awards Medal of Valor to 13 police officers
    5.16.16 – USA TODAY – ‎Washington – President Obama awarded the nation’s highest honor for law enforcement to 13 police officers Monday, recognizing officers who put themselves in harm’s way – one fatally – to protect citizens. More Info
  • Joint Commission Adopting 2012 NFPA Life Safety Code
    5.16.15 – OHS – The Joint Commission announced May 13 that it will follow suit with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and adopt the National Fire Protection Association’s 101 Life Safety code, effective July 5, 2016. The organization reported it has advocated for CMS to adopt this change for years. More Info
  • Creating a Safer Home with the Internet of Things
    5.9.16 – NEMA – The IoT becomes a network of devices, vehicles, buildings, and even people embedded with electronics, software, sensors/actuators, and network connectivity to enable these objects to collect and exchange data. More Info
  • NFPA Updates Its Educational Messaging Around Sleeping with a …
    5.16.16 – LongIsland.com – Many variables, including where people sleep in their homes and the location of their smoke alarms, make it challenging to craft a one-size-fits-all answer. More Info
  • Elkhart County Board of Realtors uses new technology to keep …
    5.17.16 -South Bend Tribune – The only person who can turn off the alarm is the Realtor who set it. There’s even a failsafe PIN or “dummy PIN” the Realtor can use to instantly alert others to … More Info
  • How Will New DOL Overtime Laws Affect Home Tech Integrators?
    5.16.16 – CEPro – New rule from Dept. of Labor means employees must be paid overtime if they earn less than $913 per week, or $47,476 per year. How will it affect the home-tech industry? Please take… More Info
  • Handicapping the 2016 legislative races
    5.19.16 – Governing – Near rock bottom in state chambers, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on a presidential year. More Info
  • New Overtime Rule
    5.18.16 – Dept. of Labor – On Wednesday, May 18 President Obama announced the Department of Labor’s updated overtime regulations “Final Rule” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  The rule will increase the minimum salary threshold to qualify as an exempt employee to $47,476 annually which is more than double the current minimum of $23,660. More Info

Business Tips

  • You are making priority decisions all wrong
    5.6.16 – CEO.com – There’s no shortage of innovative or disruptive ideas out there. There is, however, a shortage of time and money. With full plates and busy calendars, CEOs are asking the wrong question when presented with new ideas. Instead of asking “Should we be doing this?” they ask, “Am I capable of taking this on?” More Info
  • Want to Raise Your Security Game? Remote Managed Video May be Your Answer
    5.18.16 – CI – The value proposition your company can deliver with remote managed/monitored video services has also increased significantly with the rise of mobile functionality and app features. More Info
  • How Does Salesmen Training Differ for Davids and Goliaths?
    5.19.16 – SSI -Training sales staff is a challenge in the security industry. How do the methodologies of big and small companies differ on the topic? More Info
  • Selling RMR: Hold Your Salespeople Accountable
    5.16.16 – SD&I – What is the number-one reason that security integrators succeed in growing recurring revenue? I have asked this question in front of more than 2,400 people over the last three years and no one has answered correctly — not a single person. More Info

Fire News

  • CO: Berthoud Fire Calls: May 2016
    5.16.16 – Berthoud Recorder – BFPD responded to a fire alarm at a preschool. The alarm ad been activated due to nearby sunscreen spraying. The alarm panel… More Info
  • CT: Fire alarm clears Connecticut Legislative Office Building
    5.17.16 – Chron.com – Hartford, Conn. (AP) – Staff and members of the public are being allowed back inside the Legislative Office Building following a fire alarm at the building, … More Info
  • GA: Smoke Detectors Alert Sleeping GA Couple of Brewing Fire
    5.17.16 – Firehouse.com – “This family would have faced a large disaster had it not been for the smoke alarm,” he said. “I can’t imagine how bad it would been. They were sleeping at the… More Info
  • IN: Bloomington Fire Department Called To Kelley School Of Business
    5.20.16 – WBIW.com – Bloomington firefighters were called to the Kelley School of Business after a the smoke alarm activated on the third floor … More Info
  • TX: Fire Sprinkler System Limits Damages To Frisco Restaurant: Fire …
    5.21.16 – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth – Frisco firefighters responded to a “water flow” call at 5:08 a.m. on May 21 from the alarm company that monitors the Posados. More Info
  • VT: Two Charged With Setting Off Fire Alarms At Jay Peak Hotel
    5.19.16 – Caledonian Record – Two men have been accused of setting off the fire alarm at a Jay Peak hotel sending hundreds of dazed guests scurrying for safety in the middle of the night. More Info
  • WI: Grills cooling in garage activate carbon monoxide alarm
    5.16.16 – Channel3000.com – WISC-TV3 – A couple who put two charcoal grills into their garage after using them set off carbon monoxide alarms in their apartment, according to a release from the … More Info

Crime News

  • AK: Franklin Street business burglarized
    5.21.16 – KTOO – The store doesn’t have video cameras or an alarm system. Stucky said she lost hundreds of items from her jewelry case; some expensive estate jewelry, some … More Info
  • CA: Alarm interrupts burglary at Madera irrigation business, sheriff’s …
    5.20.16 – Fresno Bee – Three people were arrested Wednesday in Madera on suspicion of burglary after officers were dispatched to an alarm at an irrigation business, the Madera … More Info
  • CA: Mexicali Briefs: Burglary reported at alarm business
    5.19.16 – Imperial Valley Press – Two men were arrested early Wednesday after police officers caught them stealing several items from a car alarm business, said the Municipal Public Safety … More Info
  • CA: Pot Dispensary Alarms Trigger 3 Arrests In Santa Cruz County
    5.20.16 – Patch.com – Santa Cruz County – Three burglary suspects were arrested by sheriff’s deputies early Thursday morning after allegedly setting off alarms at five different .. More Info
  • FL: 3 detained after traffic stop uncovers cellphone store burglary
    5.17.16 -Gainesville Sun – The business has an alarm but it wasn’t on, according to police. Later Tuesday morning, members of the GPD Special Operations Unit were interviewing the … More Info
  • FL: Manatee County Sheriff’s Office investigates business burglaries
    5.16.16 – YourObserver.com – Luckily for her and her business, co-owner Zack Mestanick made sure the store was fitted with an alarm system and video surveillance, which caught burglars … More Info
  • GA: Felony charges keep mounting for four Elberton men charged in …
    5.20.16 – Online Athens – The men allegedly shattered the glass door, but apparently fled without stealing anything when the burglar alarm sounded. As in some of the other crimes, … More Info
  • GA: Two churches burglarized in Catoosa County
    5.16.16 – WTVC – On Sunday May 15, 2016 at 6:26am, deputies responded to a burglar alarm at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Upon arrival … More Info
  • IL: Roseville Flash Crime Report (5.21.16)
    5.21.16 – Rocklin and Roseville Today – Meadow Oaks, burglary: At 7:44 p.m. May 16, officers responded to an alarm at a medical office, and found out someone had … More Info
  • KS: West Wichita Bicycle X-change robbed
    5.22.16 – KFDI – Officers responded to an audible alarm at the west Wichita Bicycle X-change location. When police arrived, they found the front … More Info
  • MD: County police investigating commercial burglary at Glen Burnie auto …
    18.16 – CapitalGazette.com – Officers were dispatched at 2:10 a.m. for an alarm at a Pep Boys store and found the front door had been broken, police said. More Info
  • MI: False alarm leads to arrest of cleaning crew worker
    20.16 – Hometownlife.com – An accidental alarm at a local business led to the arrest of a cleaning crew employee who had multiple warrants out of Ferndale. Bloomfield Hills officers were … More Info
  • MI: Thief Smashes Door, Steals iPhones from Display Case: Police
    5.20.16 – Patch.com – Police were alerted to the break-in at 4:29 a.m. May 12 by a security alarm. The front door glass had been broken, police said. The burglary remains under … More Info
  • MN: Fake security company employees steal alarm system: Richfield …
    5.17.16 – The Sun Current – Responding to a report of a domestic incident around 5:45 p.m., police determined it was a verbal argument only, but … More Info
  • MS: Suspects steal ATM from Walgreens
    5.19.16 – WJTV – Madison Police tell us that around 3:42 a.m., the burglar alarm went off at the Walgreens. Officers went to the scene and noticed … More Info
  • NC: 2 N.C. men charged with Loris convenience store clerk’s murder
    5.18.16 – The State – Horry County police responded to an armed robbery alarm at the Loris Market & Beverages store around 10 a.m. Monday and found the store’s owner, Edy .. More Info
  • NC: Man arrested for several armed robberies in Charlotte
    5.20.16 -FOX 46 Charlotte – The teller noticed him and hit the holdup alarm and told the others that they were being robbed. The suspect fled on foot. More Info
  • NY: Theft of beer, lottery tickets leads to charges
    5.16.16 – Lexington Dispatch – Thomasville police officers responded to the Crossroads Curb Mart in reference to an alarm activation at 2:27 a.m. Saturday, according to a press … More Info
  • OH: Intruder makes off with goods from Warren pawn shop
    5.20.16 – WFMJ – Officers spotted the broken 4 by 8 window and could hear the alarm sounding. When a manager of the business arrived, police conducted a search, but found no … More Info
  • OH: Vandalia Armory Attempted Burglary
    5.18.16 – WKEF ABC 22 – Police say the armory increased security since then, and an alarm sounded, likely scaring off the would-be burglar(s). “Right now they’re reviewing video tape … More Info
  • PA: Police: York-area stalker pretended to be a police officer
    5.16.16 – York Dispatch – The woman locked herself in her bathroom when her burglar alarm sounded because she thought Cook had broken in, according to charging documents. More Info
  • TN: Man wanted for burglary of Midtown store
    5.21.16 – FOX13 Memphis – Police said around 4:35 a.m. on May 12, officers arrived at the Curb Market, where the alarm was going off. When police arrived, they … More Info
  • WA: Renton man charged with assault after ramming police car
    5.20.16 – Renton Reporter – The next day at about 1 a.m. officers investigating a residential alarm in the area spotted two men in a late-model Hummer H2, which quickly spend off … More Info
  • WV: Police probe break-in at LJS
    5.22.16 – The DPost – According to a press release issued by the department, officers responded to the restaurant at about 11:54 p.m., for an alarm call for interior motion. 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