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4.16.18 NESA Monitor

Public Safety Updates

  • GA: Burglar alarm calls in Sandy Springs will go unanswered for some
    4.12.18 – Atlanta Journal Constitution – Sandy Springs also said Thursday that seven companies had never registered with the city, and their customers were never eligible for alarm response. Those companies are: Alarm Force, Consumer Security Services of Ga., EDE Systems Inc., Interlink Control, Nationwide Integrators Inc., Safecom Security Solutions and … More Info
  • GA: Deadline passes for alarm company fines
    4.12.18 – 11Alive.com WXIA – Sandy Springs, Ga. — Time has run out for several alarm companies operating in Sandy Springs to pay the city thousands of dollars in fines. Last week, 39 companies were notified they were 90 days past the due date to pay fines related to false alarms. PREVIOUS | Sandy Springs cutting off delinquent alarm companies. More Info
  • GA: Sandy Springs’ false alarm battle brings public anger, confusion
    4.14.18 – Reporter Newspapers – A national alarm industry official says the city’s move helps “the bad guys.” Police Chief Ken DeSimone says it makes the city safer by freeing officers from alarm calls that are nearly 100 percent false. It’s all part of a battle over a new city law that puts alarm companies, rather than individual customers, on the hook for false … More Info
  • GA: Sandy Springs police may not answer alarms
    4.10.18 – Dunwoody Crier – Those affected have alarm systems provided and monitored by one of the 39 alarm companies notified by the city on April 3 that their registration would be revoked by close of business on April 10 if they did not come into compliance with the new City False Alarm Ordinance and pay all existing fines dating from October, … More Info
  • HI: Alarms must be registered
    4.15.18 – Thegardenisland.com – Lihue – The Kauai Police Department is asking Kauai residents and businesses to register alarm systems, or renew existing registrations, in compliance with the Kauai County Code. “All residential and commercial alarms must be registered with the Kauai Police Department prior to activation or installation,” said Alden … More Info
  • NJ: East Brunswick Will Fine Residents For False Burglary Alarms
    4.12.18 – Patch.com – East Brunswick, NJ – East Brunswick is now requiring residents register their home security alarm systems, and will begin fining homes that accidentally set off the alarm more than twice a year. It’s a dramatic announcement, made Thursday, but it’s not entirely unheard of: Towns like Montclair, in Essex County, and … More Info
  • NJ: East Brunswick: Police Say False Alarms Will Cost You
    4.13-18 – TAPinto.net – East Brunswick, NJ – The Township of East Brunswick has announced the kick off of the a new program to reduce the number of false alarms calls. In recent years, false alarms account for approximately 98% of all alarm calls. These false alarms divert law enforcement resources from crimes in progress, other … More Info
  • NJ: Registration of alarm systems now required in East Brunswick
    4.12.18 – MyCentralJersey.com – East Brunswick – In an effort to reduce the number of false alarm calls police have to respond to, residents and businesses are now being required to register their alarm systems with a Maryland-based alarm monitoring service. A one-time $10 fee is being charged to register with the company. The fee is used to offset … More Info
  • OH: Cleveland City Council approves plan to curb false alarms, fine …
    4.10.18 – cleveland.com – Cleveland City Council cleared the way Monday for the hiring of a consultant that will crunch data on false alarm calls for police and fire services in hopes of finding ways to reduce their numbers. The city gets about 30,000 alarm calls a year. About 97 percent of those end up being false alarms, according to the city. … More Info
  • TN: Mt. Juliet police send officers to fire alarms as precaution
    4.12.18 – Lebanon Democrat – According to Mt. Juliet Middle School principal Leigh Raney, the fire alarm was triggered when two students were “horsing around” in the hallway at the top of the middle stairs on the top floor. One student lost his balance and fell into the fire pull station, which activated the alarm. “This was not a planned fire drill, and the …More Info
  • WA: Kennewick to Begin ‘False Security Alarm’ Reduction Program
    4.12.18 – newstalk870.am – The City of Kennewick has announced they are beginning a new program designed to reduce the number of false alarms from security systems, which they say account for about 99% of their alarm calls. These are calls that police respond to when a security system is activated. According to Mike Blatman of the Kennewick … More Info

Industry News

  • New research shows Wi-Fi’s surveillance superpower
    4.10.18 – Wi-Fi NOW News- With this data, a visual ‘heat map’ can be created and sent to homeowners’ phones when motion is detected – and all of this intelligence will run on your existing Wi-Fi system. That means no extra sensors, no alarm units, and no installation. “It’s about simply removing the PIR and using Wi-Fi as the sensing system as well … More Info
  • How Advancements in Thermal Camera Tech Are Heating Up Opportunities
    4.9.18 – Breakthroughs in heat-based imaging have not only become increasingly reliable, but exponentially more affordable. Video surveillance experts round up notable advancements, new use cases and more. More Info
  • Alarm.com Unveils New Smarter Access Solution for Businesses
    4.12.18 – Nasdaq – Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. ALRM recently introduced a new access solution – Smarter Access Control – for businesses. The new access solution is part of the unified Alarm.com for Business platform. This system will provide varied solutions to solve common access control problems, along with increasing visibility and … More Info

State & National News

  • Oregon becomes second state with net neutrality law
    4.10.18 – Associated Press – The bill stops short of actually putting new requirements on internet service providers in the state, but blocks the state from doing business with providers that offer preferential treatment to some Internet content or apps, starting in 2019. NCSL data cited. NCSL resources on net neutrality legislation in states. More Info
  • After Parkland shooting, states shift funds to school safety
    4.11.18 – Reuters – In the wake of the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people, at least 10 U.S. states have introduced measures to increase funding for hardening of school buildings and campuses, add resource officers and increase mental health services, according to Reuters’ tally. NCSL research cited. More Info
  • UNDER FIRE: Fury when smoke alarms don’t sound in smoldering fire
    4.12.18 – WKBW-TV – Consider this. What would happen if there was a fire in your home and your smoke detectors didn’t ring? An Elma man is questioning how safe he was, with Kidde smoke detectors, having experienced that very situation. Roy Fedeson has lived in the same home for 35 years. He was out of town one weekend in February, …More Info

Business Tips

  • Why Now May Be the Right Time to Migrate Into Integrated Systems
    4.10.18 – Security Sales & Integration- Yes, they service, install and do a pretty good job of looking like they are alarm dealers, but make no mistake about it they are systems integrators. I guess their company name, Fearing’s Audio Video Security, gives that fact away. The website details the company’s mission to be a “total source provider” when it comes to … More Info
  • It’s Time to Charge for After-hours Support
    4.13.18 – Providing free round-the-clock support is taxing your business. Here’s a step-by-step guide to converting your business to a paid support model. More Info

Fire & EMS News

  • ID: Water system triggers fire alarms, mass evacuations on north side of …
    4.12.18 – Twin Falls Times-News – The alarms were triggered because of a fluctuation in water pressure, said city spokesman Josh Palmer. The fluctuation happened while the city was reprogramming a communications system as part of planned upgrades to the Twin Falls water system. Some fire suppression systems, Palmer said, are designed to trigger an … More Info
  • MD: Firefighters respond to multiple calls, including elevator rescue
    4.10.18 -Brainerd Dispatch – In other calls, firefighters responded to a fire alarm at 7:14 p.m. Friday at the BNSF Brainerd Equipment Shop. Upon investigation, it was determined to be a false alarm. Sunday, firefighters were called to the Sawmill Inn restaurant at 2:46 p.m. after a report of an electrical fire. Upon arrival … More Info
  • MD: Youths Who Pulled Fire Alarm At UMD Are In Big Trouble: Police
    4.10.18 -Patch.com – The University of Maryland Police Department has released a surveillance photo from the incident and is asking for the public’s help in identifying the culprits. “The individuals pictured above are persons of interest in an unlawful entry at Centreville Hall and a false report of a fire alarm at Cambridge Hall,” the police report … More Info
  • MN: Pool moisture triggers fire alarm at Willmar High School
    4.13-18 – KWLM (Willmar Radio) – (Willmar MN-) The fire alarm sounded at Willmar High School at 7:40 this morning. School officials say the alarm was triggered due to moisture issues at the pool. For safety’s sake, students and faculty were briefly evacuated while custodians investigated the issue, and the pool area is currently being ventilated with fans to … More Info
  • MS: It’s the fire alarm again! Pine Belt college students complain about …
    4.12.18 – Hattiesburg American – It was 12:30 a.m. on a Thursday and Jennah Eddins was getting ready for bed. The Jones County Junior College sophomore was in her dorm, showering before turning in, when she heard a dreaded noise — the fire alarm was going off again. “I have these ugly black work clogs and I ran downstairs in my towel and my …More Info
  • NY: Man pulls fire alarm for third time in 10 days
    4.10.18 -The Daily News Online – A city man apparently refused to stop setting off the fire alarm at his apartment complex. Jonathan P. Balaz, 41, who lives at DePaul Housing Complex, was charged Friday with second-degree falsely reporting an incident. City police said Balaz pulled the fire alarm at DePaul at 4:37 p.m., prompting yet … More Info
  • NY: There was no working smoke alarm in the Trump Tower apartment …
    4.10.18 -CNN – The FDNY was notified of the fire by a building-wide alarm system in Trump Tower, the source said. This system alerted the fire department to the location of the fire, including the floor of the blaze. Such alarm systems are common, and they are not audible in the entire building to prevent people from evacuating all at once … More Info
  • OH: Security Notebook
    4.13-18 – The Oberlin Review – 8:56 p.m. Officers and members of the Oberlin Fire Department responded to a fire alarm on the first floor of Bailey Hall. Smoke from cooking activated the alarm. The area was cleared and the alarm was reset. 9:00 p.m. Officers responded to a report of an older man acting inappropriately at an event in Hales Gymasium. More Info
  • OH: Smoke alarm saves family in Hubbard house fire
    4.11.18 – Warren Tribune Chronicle – Firefighters from the Hubbard Eagle Joint Fire District check for hot spots Tuesday, where a fire broke out in the garage just before 8 a.m. A working smoke detector alerted residents to the fire and no one was injured, but several family pets, including a dog, died in the blaze… More Info
  • WI: Milwaukee man charged in apartment arson wanted to show ex …
    4.13-18 – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – A 27-year-old woman told police that Jenkins, whom she had broken up with about a week earlier, came to her door about 2 a.m. and knocked for 20 minutes, apologizing and asking to enter. Shortly after he stopped, she heard a fire alarm and saw that the mat outside her door was on fire. She stomped it out and called 911. More Info

Crime News

  • AR: Police Seek Help on Person of Interest
    4.10.18 – KNWA – FORT SMITH, Ark. – Police need help finding a man who might be connected to a disturbance at a liquor store. Police were dispatched to Lucky’s Liquor in response to a commercial alarm, according to a news release issued by Cpl. Anthony Rice, public information officer for the Fort Smith Police … More Info
  • CA: Alarm sends cops to pot house
    4.12.18 – Camarillo Acorn – The Ventura County Fire Department and Camarillo Police Department responded to a fire alarm in an industrial building around 11 a.m., police said. The alarm was faulty, police said, but while inspecting the property, police and firefighters found an illegal marijuana growing operation that … More Info
  • CA: Irwindale burglary suspect loses stolen truck and tools
    4.10.18 – The San Gabriel Valley Tribune – The alarm went off shortly after 2:20 a.m. Officers showed up at the business as the burglar was leaving in the stolen truck, according to Fraijo. The burglar headed to an onramp of the southbound 605 Freeway where he left the truck. Fraijo said the man then ran toward the riverbed. More Info
  • CA: Police probe school break-ins
    4.14.18 – The Turlock Journal – Three Turlock schools were broken into and vandalized by two unknown suspects early Monday morning. The first burglary happened at 3:15 a.m. Monday at Pitman High School. Several windows were smashed, which set off the alarm. Turlock Unified School District spokesperson Marie … More Info
  • CA: Redding charter school vandalized, windows smashed
    4.10.18 – KRCRTV.COM – Monarch Learning Center Charter School had eight windows smashed all along the back of the school. Vandals targeted the campus, however, according to the Director of the school Ethan Cohen, nothing appeared to be taken. Cohen said he received a call Saturday night from the school’s alarm company stating that their … More Info
  • CA: Redding police arrest attempted burglary suspect
    4.11.18 – Redding Record Searchlight – Police said they went around 2:40 a.m. to the law offices of Rodney Key after a burglar alarm sounded there. Officers arrived and found a locked rear shed had been forced open, damaging the door. Officers reviewed video surveillance showing the suspect, who was later identified as York, … More Info
  • CA: Thieves steal $100000 in tools from Atascadero contractors
    4.10.18 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune – Atascadero police are searching for suspects after a plumber and two other contractors had tens of thousands of dollars of equipment stolen from a storage yard early Saturday morning. Steve Carlson, owner of S. Carlson’s Plumbing, said thieves cut through a fence separating his property … More Info
  • CA: Trio breaks into La Crescenta Walgreens, leaves empty-handed
    4.11.18 – The Pasadena Star-News – Three burglars pried open the door of a La Crescenta pharmacy early Tuesday morning but left empty-handed, a sheriff’s official said. Deputies checking why the alarm was activated at the Walgreens just before 4 a.m. found the front door had been breached, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Mark Slater. More Info
  • CO: Logan County Sheriff’s deputies investigate harassment, burglary …
    4.10.18 – South Platte Sentinel – Logan County Sheriff’s deputies investigate harassment, burglary alarm. Apr 10th … At 3:42 a.m. deputies were dispatched regarding a confirmed burglary alarm. … At 11:35 a.m. deputies were dispatched regarding a residential burglary alarm. More Info
  • IA: Maxwell bank robbed at gunpoint
    4.11.18 – Ames Tribune – According to Story County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Barry Thomas, authorities received a 911 call from a bank employee and a bank alarm just before 10:30 a.m. Thomas said that two men entered the bank displaying handguns, ordered the employees on the floor, took an undisclosed amount of money, and fled in a vehicle. More Info
  • ID: Kuna Crime Blotter
    4.11.18 – Idaho Press-Tribune – 7:49 a.m.: A check for wanted subject report was made. 8:39 a.m.: A residential burglary alarm was sounded. … More Info
  • IN: PPD run logs — March 4-March 10
    4.15.18 – Pendleton Times-Post – 1:34 a.m. — alarm burglary; 9:52 a.m. — alarm burglary;… More Info
  • KS: Damage to burglar alarm results in two arrests Thursday in Topeka
    4.12.18 – WIBW News Now – Two people were arrested after an alarm was sounded at a southwest Topeka business early Thursday. According to Topeka Police, officers responded to Orscheln Farm & Home just after 4:30 Thursday morning. Officers found 34-year-old Jerry Lewis walking away from a silver Ford SUV. A field … More Info
  • KS: Robbers have been cutting alarms, taking cash at Wichita businesses
    4.13-18 – Wichita Eagle- Wichita police are looking for help finding whoever stole from six bars and liquor stores after cutting alarm wires. In the six incidents, robbers broke into businesses between 4:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., sometimes cutting alarm wires, stealing recorders and taking cash, a Crime Stoppers release said. Money was also taken from … More Info
  • MA: Acton police reports: March 30 to April 5
    4.11.18 – Wicked Local – 12:16 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 5:56 p.m.: An alarm was reported. … More Info
  • MA: Rockland police log, Feb. 23-27
    4.14.18 – Wicked Local – 12:17 p.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. Police checked OK.. More Info
  • MI: Home surveillance video captures teens suspected in car break-ins
    4.14.18 – WWMT-TV – “Certainly cause for alarm. Something needs to be done.” That’s why McDowell is sharing his video, hoping to warn others and to send a message. “For burglars and car thieves, we’re watching you,” McDowell said. The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office recently shared this message about spotting suspicious behavior. More Info
  • MN: Burglary at Rochester Verizon Store; Thousands of Dollars in …
    4.12.18 – KAAL – (ABC 6 News) — Around 2 a.m. Thursday, April 12, Rochester Police got a call that an alarm had gone off at the Verizon Store. The alarm is connected to a camera system, so employees at the alarm company could see that there was a burglary in progress. Rochester Police Captain John … More Info
  • MO: Police investigating KCMO restaurant break-ins
    4.14.18 – KSHB – Kansas City, Mo. — Police are looking for thieves who went on a crime spree early Friday morning, hitting several businesses in the Crossroads and Midtown. Security cameras were rolling shortly after 4 a.m. when a thief emerged from the shadows. He went toward the stairs … More Info
  • NJ: BB gun shots damage two Morristown businesses in nine minutes
    4.13-18 – Daily Record – Nine minutes later alarm sounded at the T-Mobile Store. Officers found a front window broken and noted a small projectile appeared to have penetrated the glass and struck a display case. A second impact point was spotted on the outside of T-Mobile, Police Bureau Lt. Stuart Greer said. More: Man pleads… More Info
  • NJ: Multiple Burglaries In Parsippany This April
    4.10.18 – Patch.com – 3/31/2018 at 8:15 PM: Officers responded to a residence for a reported activated burglar alarm. Upon arrival of responding officers, they observed damage to the front entry way consistent with a burglary attempt. The homeowner was notified and responded to the residence. After further investigation it was … More Info
  • NJ: String of Parsippany Burglaries in Town Result in Police Warning
    4.11.18 – TAPinto.net – Officers responded to a residence for a reported activated burglar alarm. Upon arrival of responding officers, they observed damage to the front entry way consistent with a burglary attempt. The homeowner was notified and responded to the residence. After further investigation it was determined that the … More Info
  • OH: Conneaut police
    4.13-18 – The Star Beacon – Police investigated a burglar alarm heard at 7:03 a.m. Wednesday… More Info
  • OH: Police Calls | Employee accused of stealing cash from gas station
    4.11.18 – Mansfield News Journal – The woman said she didn’t know what else the man had in his coat that set off the alarm. The man fled on foot. Police couldn’t find him. Circle K – A man told police Monday morning a 34-year-old man stole several cans of beer. An officer watched surveillance video that … More Info
  • OH: Whitehall: Burglar eludes alarm, takes cash from business
    4.10.18 – ThisWeek Community News – A burglary was reported to Whitehall police at 7:05 a.m. March 29 Officers were dispatched to the business, where an employee told police he arrived to find the front glass door of the business broken. An employee who left at 6 p.m. the previous evening set an alarm, police said. More Info
  • PA: Lousy bank robber who got no cash deserves no break for …
    4.12.18 – PennLive.com – As the clerk gathered the money, she pushed the button for the silent alarm. Byrd promptly turned and walked out of the bank without any money. Police said they believe he heard the click of the alarm button and panicked. Kunselman cited court filings which state police recovered two fingerprints Byrd left behind on a … More Info
  • PA: Montoursville, Pa Police list recent incidents for first week of April
    4.9.18 – NorthcentralPa.com – 4/2 – An Officer responded to a burglar alarm. A proper pass code was given by a person on scene. … More Info
  • SK: Police were looking for impaired drivers during the weekend
    4.9.18 – Estevan Mercury – Police responded to a burglar alarm at a residence in northeast Estevan, but the alarm proved to be false upon police arrival. Officers received a report during the April 6 day shift of a vehicle that was losing portions of its load en route to the city landfill. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was warned that he could be … More Info
  • TX: Doorbell cameras show man trying to enter homes in Uptown
    4.15.18 – Dallas News – Residents in the Uptown area of Dallas said a man has been seen multiple times trying to enter homes in the area. Doorbell cameras captured the man jiggling doorknobs trying to get into townhomes on three occasions in a community near McKinney Avenue, according to KTVT-TV (Channel 11). He was most recently seen … More Info
  • TX: Early police blotter
    4.12.18 – Brownwood Bulletin – Alarm call —alarm company canceled call before officer arrived. … More Info
  • WA: Edmonds burglar arrested after PD releases surveillance video
    4.12.18 – KING5.com – A second throw of the rock broke through the door completely, but also set off the home alarm. The suspect took off once the alarm started blaring. A hotel employee in Everett spotted the suspect’s vehicle and posted on the department’s page. The suspect was picked up by police and booked into the Snohomish County Jail … 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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