Industry News

Federal Govt. Labels Integrators as ‘Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers’
3.20.20 – CEPro- Department of Homeland Security issues guidelines that would enable technicians to continue to install home offices during coronavirus crisis.
PBFAA Forced to Scratch 38th Annual Expo Due to Coronavirus
3.16.20 – SSI – The 2020 PBFAA annual membership meeting will now take place during the annual golf outing on July 28 at Applecross Country Club in Downingtown, Pa.
Coronavirus Detectable Via AI Security Cameras, Athena Claims
3.20.20 – CEPro – Thanks to thermal imaging technology, Athena Security is able to scan people for elevated body temperature, an early indicator of coronavirus.
Rapid Response Unveils rapidSMS False Alarm Reduction …
3.17.20 – SSI – Our goal is to significantly reduce false alarms with improved customer communication. It is for this reason that we developed rapidSMS.” rapidSMS is a service that notifies customers instantly of an alarm, providing an app-like experience via a text message.

State & National News

Police implement sweeping policy changes as coronavirus spreads
3.19.20 – ABC13 – Local law enforcement officials across the country are rapidly making major operational changes in preparation for the continued spread of coronavirus, as they face potential strains in resources and staffing without precedent in modern American history.
BREAKING: Tysons-Based Alarm.com Employee Tests …
3.20.20 – Tysons Reporter – An employee at Tysons-based Alarm.com has tested positive for coronavirus. “We can confirm that an employee who works in our Tysons HQ …

Business Tips

4 Tips to Run a Virtual Office Effectively
3.19.20 – CEPro – Having the right software — from Zoom to Slack — to communicate with clients and each other is vital to succeed in a virtual office work situation.
A Letter from an Integrator Who Has a Plan for Emergencies Like COVID
3.18.20 – CI – AV integration firms need to have plans in place for disasters which wreak havoc on the economy. Here are some encouraging words from one that does.
The IRS’ New Tax-Filing Deadline Is July 15. Here’s What to …
3.20.20 – Yahoo Finance – The U.S. government is extending the tax-filing deadline to July 15, a move meant to give taxpayers extra time to deal with their taxes … The announcement came three days after the IRS said that many Americans could defer paying any taxes owed until July 15 but would still have to file their tax returns by …
Coronavirus: Is There a Silver Lining?
3.20.20 – CEPro – Integrators should use this downtime to clean up their databases, update their website, conduct internal trainings, and implement new software.

Fire & EMS News

DE: Smoke Alarm Saves Elderly Couple Early Friday Morning
3.20.20 – 1st State Update – A smoke alarm detected this morning’s fire in Marydel, Delaware waking the sleeping residents, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio. … Fire damage was estimated at $25,000.

Crime News

CA: Man arrested after breaking through window of South Valley …
3.22.20 – Tulare County, Calif. (KFSN) – Visalia police arrested a man after he smashed his way through a window and into a South Valley business …
CA: Deputies with the Shasta County Sheriffs Office arrest suspect …
3.21.20 – Action News Now – Deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man … County Sheriffs Office arrest suspect responsible for burglarizing Meeks Lumber … deputies were dispatched to a commercial burglary alarm at Meeks Lumber, …
CT: Affidavit: Danbury man charged in tool shed burglary …
3.19.20 – ctinsider – Jacob Frealand Bardin was charged with third-degree burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief after police said they arrested him …
GA: Hall man arrested for burglary after chase down Ga. 400 …
3.19.20 – Dawson Living – Hall man arrested for burglary after chase down Ga. 400. Arthur Richard Ardeneaux. …
IN: FWPD searching for attempted bank robbery suspect
3.19.20 – (WPTA21) – Fort Wayne Police are on the lookout for an attempted bank robbery suspect. Just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to an …
IN: FWPD searching for attempted bank robbery suspect
3.19.20 – (WPTA21) – Fort Wayne Police are on the lookout for an attempted bank robbery suspect. Just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to an …
MA: Men armed with guns, bat rob Stoughton store – News – The …
3.21.20 – Enterprise News – Stoughton – A convenience store was robbed late Thursday night by four people, including three who were armed with weapons.
MI: Two Arrested For Berrien County Break-Ins.
3.21.20 – Newsbreak – The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department says two Kalamazoo residents are facing charges over two church break-ins on Saturday morning.
OH: Ohio police catch bank burglary suspect ‘red handed’ trying to …
3.16.20 – Cleveland 19 – Ohio police catch bank burglary suspect ‘red handed’ trying to open safe … cameras inside the bank using a power tool to break into the safe.
OK: Man Arrested After Breaking Into TPS Building, Tulsa Police Say
3.16.20 – News On 6 – Tulsa Police said they have arrested a man after they said he broke into a Tulsa Public Schools building and tried to take several items.
TN: Woman arrested on burglary, other charges
3.22.20 – Hendersonville, TN (WSMV) – A woman is behind bars after police caught her stealing from a store in Hendersonville.
VA: Ten pharmacies, medical offices targeted in break-ins in …
2.20.20 – Inside Nova – Prince William and Fairfax police are investigating 10 break-ins at pharmacies and medical offices in the past three weeks. The latest robbery was reported early Monday morning at Inova Center for Healthy Living-Prosperity Pharmacy, according to Fairfax County police.
VA: Police investigating burglary of Harrisonburg pharmacy
3.20.20 – WHSV – Police are asking local pharmacies and medical practices to monitor their security measures and make sure everything is in working order. They say more information will be released once it’s available. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact HPD’s Major Crimes Unit
WI: MPD: Attempted break-in at West Towne Mall hours after it …
3.19.20 – NBC15 – The very night West Towne mall shut down indefinitely because of the coronavirus, a group of teens were spotted allegedly trying to break into …

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. Seven state associations are part of NESA – Arkansas Security Alarm Association (ASAA), Kansas Electronic Security Association (KESA), Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA), Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (MDBFAA), Mississippi Security Association (MSA), Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (OKBFAA) and Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (TBFAA). For more info visit www.nesaus.org.

NESA Board of Directors