Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Recieving a check for $3,500 to the Madera Police Department, from the Mid-Cal Alarm Association from left, Steve Cockrum, Det. John Rosel Jr., Gloria Molina, Garrett Teran, Mike Matson, Chief Dino Lawson, Michael Teran, Conner Teran and Lt. Brian Esteves.
10.13.18 – The Madera Tribune
Keeping Madera safe is a huge job and a local company is committed to helping. For 50 years Diamond Communications, Inc. based in Madera has provided burglar alarms and security services to clients throughout the state.
A member of the California Alarm Association one of the functions of the group is to support local law enforcement agencies with grants to purchase equipment to aide and support the crime fighters.
Michael Teran owner of DCI is the president of the Mid-Cal Alarm Association the group’s central valley division. The CAA has 10 chapters.
“This $3,500 is proceeds from a golf tournament held last spring,” said Teran. “We are presenting it to the Madera Police Department to purchase a high tech investigative tool.”
The Bounce Imaging Explorer Tactical Edition with audio capabilities is a multi-camera sphere that can be thrown in a room to view possible suspects and evidence.
The association became aware of the department’s need through a request for assistance to replace a pole camera that was no longer functional.
The department wanted a photographic device to aide its officers in their pursuit of suspects.
In a letter dated April 11, 2018, Sgt. Josiah Arnold of Madera PD advised the association of the department’s desire to replace the pole camera used for surveillance of possible crime scenes.
The device assists the department to conduct safe tactical operations during the execution of search warrants, other buildings searched related to homicide, gang crimes, narcotics, burglary, and auto theft investigations among other things said, Arnold.
The device’s 360-degree camera view is used prior to personnel entering a room or structure. It provides officers with a remote view of an area and in some cases alleviate the need to damage property to search hard to reach places for hiding suspects or evidence.
Searches of this type are made every week and the department would likely use the device to improve the safety of our officers, Arnold said.
The device is manufactured in two versions. One is strictly a camera at a cost of $2,850. The deluxe version has audio capabilities at a base cost of $3,350.
“I can’t thank you guys enough,” said Chief Lawson. “This device is a game-changer for us. This is such an officer safety tool for us it’s unbelievable.”
The officers crack the door, lob the bouncy ball into the room and the ball takes a 360-view of the room. If the area is deemed safe the tactical officers can enter the room, move the ball to the next zone and continue the search he said.
“We can then safely send in K-9 units and officers,” Lawson said.
Another function of the California Alarm Association is to provide annual scholarships for the children of law enforcement personnel and first responders. Each of the 10 chapters selects a $1,000 local winner. They then compete for an additional $10,000 from the state organizations. The state winner goes on to compete for a $15,000 national award.