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5-7-18 NESA Monitor

Public Safety Updates

  • CT: Police look to cut down on reports of false alarms
    4.30.18 – WTNH.com – Plainfield, Conn. – Many would expect businesses like Central Village Discount Liquors to have an alarm system and they might not be surprised that every once in a while the alarm would be set off by mistake. “Twice,” said MIke Murphy who works at Central Village Discount Liquors. He added the reasons the … More Info
  • KS: Topeka City Council to discuss fines for false fire alarms
    4.30.18 – The Topeka Capital-Journal – The Topeka Fire Department has asked city council members to consider fining businesses, apartment buildings and other facilities that see repeated false fire alarms due to poor maintenance or inspection. Council members plan to discuss but take no action on the matter at their May 8 meeting, according to a document in … More Info
  • PA: Motion to adopt Fairview Twp. lock box ordinance fails
    5.2.18 – Citizens Voice – Township businesses with fire alarms or sprinkler systems will not have to install lock boxes. The township’s volunteer fire company, Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1, had asked township supervisors to enact an ordinance requiring commercial, institutional and industrial buildings protected by an automatic alarm system … More Info
  • PA: Kennett Township officials rescind ordinance on repeated false fire …
    5.3.18 – Daily Local News – False alarms were not a substantial problem for the township, Nolt said. Usually they were caused by a mechanical problem, he said. But the knowledge that the ordinance was on the books made people afraid to hook up alarms, for fear they’d have to pay every time an overly sensitive alarm responded to cooking food or … More Info

Industry News

  • SIAC Director Ron Walters to Retire; Revered for Alarm Industry Impacts
    4.30.18 – Security Sales & Integration – Frisco, Texas – Ronald “Ron” Walters has retired as director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) after a career that included work in law enforcement, corporate security and an alarm company owner. “Ron’s leadership role in our industry helped lay the foundation for creating SIAC. He would fly to a city on a … More Info
  • A PSA on Public Emergency Alarm Systems
    5.2.18 – Security Sales & Integration – This month we’re going to explore a chapter within NFPA 72, “National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code,” that is not used by the majority of fire alarm installers. This would be Chapter 27, Public Emergency Alarm Reporting Systems. It’s good to learn about these systems, even if purely for educational purposes by having a … More Info
  • ADS Security Acquires to Expand Mississippi Footprint
    5.2.18 – Security Sales & Integration – Nashville, Tenn. – ADS Security, a regional electronic security and automation company based here, has acquired the customer accounts of The Alarm Co. of Jackson, Miss. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The purchase adds approximately 2,600 accounts – 80% residential and 20% commercial – to the … More Info
  • Installations and No Monthly Fees – Amazon’s Answer to Home Security
    5.2.18 – SSI – While the home security industry has long been dominated by traditional security provider giants, DIY products and the ability to monitor security-related smart home devices are undercutting large security provider’s business models… More Info

State & National News

  • After fall, Thornton man found out medical panic button didn’t work …
    5.3.18 – The Denver Channel – North Star Alarm services said the communication link between King’s home and the company had been out-of-service for 14 months — since January 2017. King says he was never notified by the company that it was out of the service despite making his payments. Denver7 reached out to the company’s customer care … More Info
  • California court makes it harder for employers to classify workers as contractors
    4.30.18 – The Los Angeles Times – In a ruling that could change the workplace status of people across the state, the California Supreme Court made it harder Monday for employers to classify their workers as independent contractors. More Info

Business Tips

  • How to Add RMR-Rich Video Verification to Professionally Monitored …
    5.4.18 – CEPro – In the home-automation world, we use the term “video verification” pretty casually. An alarm goes off, and maybe we pull up a video camera to see if there’s a bad guy on the premises. In the security industry, however, the term has a more formal meaning, generally referring to video sent to a central monitoring station to … More Info
  • Why You Should Keep Your Future Account Purchase Options Open
    5.4.18 – Security Sales & Integration – When you think about it, even the alarm contract has an option, the renewal term, whether month to month or a longer period, unless the auto renewal is terminated by affirmative notice to the other contracting party. Generally, there should be some consideration for the option. It shouldn’t be something demanded for which … More Info
  • Highly Skilled ‘Uberized Technicians’ Are Next Employment Frontier
    5.3.18 – CEPro – Not only is demand for smart home services becoming Uberized, so is the workforce. Integrators will soon be forced to employ skilled ‘freelance technicians’ who want flexible, on-demand working schedules typified by rideshare services. More Info
  • 7 Ways to Avoid Client Sticker Shock
    5.2.18 – CEPro – Breaking down proposals into smaller chunks, not being the first person to submit a quote, and selling design first are just three tips to avoid client sticker shock to your pricing. More Info

Fire & EMS News

  • FL: Man caught on camera pulling fire alarm, spraying fire extinguisher
    4.30.18 – WTXL ABC 27 – Tallahassee, Fla. – A man is facing felony charges after surveillance video at a Tallahassee apartment complex caught him pulling a fire alarm before stealing and spraying a fire extinguisher. Tyler Webb, 22, was taken into custody over the weekend for an incident at Onyx Apartments on April 6, about a month … More Info
  • GA: Woman Sought For Starting Hotel Fire After Domestic Dispute
    5.1.18 – Patch.com – There were no injuries reported. Firefighters responded to a report of the fire alarm activated on Wednesday at 1:12 a.m. The flames were already out when the fire truck arrived at the Congress Hotel and Suites. According to fire … More Info
  • ID: Fire alarm disrupts graduation at ISU – KIFI
    5.5.18 – www.localnews8.com – A fire alarm went off during Idaho State University’s graduation Friday night. More Info
  • IL: Police 4-30-18
    4.30.18 – MyWebTimes.com – Ottawa firefighters responded at 5:53 p.m. Friday for a fire alarm caused by cooking … More Info
  • MA: Boxborough police reports: April 23-28
    5.1.18 – Wicked Local – Monday, April 23. 12:46 p.m.: A fire alarm was reported on … More Info
  • MA: Hamilton police log, April 22-28
    5.5.18 – Wicked Local – 9:30 a.m.: A fire alarm was reported.  More Info
  • MN: Brainerd fire responds to calls
    5.5.18 – Brainerd Dispatch – The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 8:45 a.m. Friday at the Pines Apartments. Firefighters were canceled en route. Firefighters also were called to a gas grill fire at 5:13 p.m. Thursday. They also were canceled en route on this call. Additional … More Info
  • OR: Sprinkler system helps keep warehouse fire small
    5.5.18 – KTVL – A well maintained sprinkler system helps keeps warehouse fire small in Medford on Thursday. At 7:53 p.m. Medford Fire-Rescue responded to an alarm sounding. When firefighters arrived they found a warehouse with the smell of smoke and the fire sprinklers were on. Additional crews … More Info
  • OR: Sprinklers Contained OR Warehouse Fire, Officials Say
    5.6.18 – Firehouse.com – A single Medford Fire-Rescue engine initially responded to the structure at 7:53 p.m. after a fire alarm went off. The fire started on the building’s exterior near scattered drug paraphernalia and cigarette butts. “Our engine got there and did see some smoke in the area and saw water running out one … More Info
  • VA: Williamsburg man pleads no contest in series of arsons
    4.30.18 – Virginia Gazette – And, Black said alarm company records show that the doors to the garage were open and shut about 11 minutes before the start of the fire. During each of the three fires, it was just Tooley and his mother Lorraine, who were home, Black said. Dennis Wade Tooley’s pre-sentencing report will be presented at a 9 a.m. July 25 … More Info
  • VT: Barton man charged in smoke detector standoff
    5.1.18 – WCAX – Barton, Vt. – Vermont State Police have identified the Barton man who shot up his Main Street apartment with a shotgun in an attempt to silence the smoke detector. Authorities say Leroy Mason, 68, was cooking around 5 p.m. Monday when he got annoyed after his smoke alarm kept going off. Investigators say … More Info
  • VT: Police: Man Shoots Smoke Alarm, Threatens First Responders
    5.2.18 – Caledonian Record – Barton – State police say a Barton man cooking his dinner Monday shot a persistent smoke alarm with a 20-gauge shotgun and then threatened first responders with another gun before he was subdued and arrested. State police arrested Leroy Mason, 68. Judge Robert Bent ordered Mason held without bail … More Info
  • WA: Suspect who claims he left gun at CBC campus arrested
    5.4.18 – KEPR 19 –  A man has been arrested at Columbia Basin College after he pulled a fire alarm and said he had a gun on campus during a trivia event. A statement from CBC said a man who appeared to be intoxicated pulled a fire alarm Thursday evening in the CBC HUB. Pasco police responded to a call from security and arrested the … More Info

Crime News

  • AL: Police advise homeowners to remain alert, even after burglary …
    5.2.18 – WSFA – Officer Hale said your animals can be your four-legged alarm system on top of your already installed alarm system. “Leave a TV on,” he suggested. “Leave the stereo on. Maybe, in a stereo, put a CD of a barking dog and have it play while you’re gone. Have intermittent timers hooked up to different appliances or lights.”. More Info
  • CA: Man arrested for rape, burglary and kidnapping in downtown Santa …
    5.2.18 – KEYT – Soon after, an alarm sounded at Santa Barbara Jewelry and Loan. Responding officers discovered a broken window and reported jewelry had been stolen. Byers is accused of being responsible for that break-in and theft as well. Byers was detained and arrested for burglary, rape, and kidnapping. More Info
  • CA: Ventura County Sheriff: Thousand Oaks department store burglarized
    4.30.18 – Ventura County Star – … incident was reported just after midnight at the Kohl’s, officials said. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene of a report of a business alarm that had gone off and found a window smashed and multiple items, including jewelry, taken. The incident is under investigation. More Info
  • CO: Logan County Sheriff’s deputies respond to possible runaway …
    5.2.18 – Journal Advocate – At 5:20 am, deputies were dispatched regarding a business
    burglary alarm. At 9:48 a.m. deputies were dispatched to a panic alarm. At 10:40 a.m. deputies were dispatched regarding a 911 … More Info
  • CO: Police search for Burger King robbery suspect
    5.6.18 – KKTV 11 News – Colorado Springs, Colo. – Colorado Springs police are searching for a man who is accused of robbing a Burger King Saturday morning. Officers were first alerted by a robbery alarm at the fast-food restaurant just after 6 a.m. When they arrived, the suspect … More Info
  • FL: Jackson County police logs for April 29
    4.30.18 – Dothan Eagle – … one stolen vehicle, one abandoned vehicle, two reckless drivers, three suspicious vehicles, three suspicious incidents, four suspicious persons, one burglary, four physical disturbances, three verbal disturbances, nine medical calls, two traffic crashes, one fire department assist, three medical transports, one burglar alarm, … More Info
  • GA: Homeowner says burglars broke into home while they slept
    5.2.18 – FOX 5 Atlanta – They responded with a statement which read in part: “At this time, it is too early to tell if this residential burglary is related to any others that have occurred in recent weeks in East Atlanta. However, we are looking into all possibilities.” “That just seems really lucky because I normally don’t have an alarm set for that time,” said … More Info
  • ID: East Idaho man accused of attempted robbery, burglary
    5.6.18 – Idaho State Journal – The staff members let him in, but informed him they could not open the safe due to a time lock, and that the building alarm would go off if they didn’t exit immediately. The would-be robber ran while staff called the store manager and went to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident. A Rigby police officer and … More Info
  • IL: Burbank police seeking suspect in sexual assault of woman
    5.1.18 – Chicago Tribune – The woman spotted a man running toward her, and she began to run away. But the man caught her, tackled her from behind and attempted to sexually assault her, police said. The victim began yelling and managed to activate her vehicle alarm with her key fob. A neighbor who heard the alarm attempted to help the woman, … More Info
  • IL: Police investigate overnight burglaries
    5.5.18 – Kewanee Star Courier – The department received an alarm call from the U.S. Cellular store at approximately 3:51 a.m. The officers arrived and found entry had … As officers were investigating the first alarm, they located a broken window at the Verizon store a short distance away from the first store. The unknown suspect again … More Info
  • LA: New Orleans man accused of trying to rob Central City bank
    5.1.18 – NOLA.com – The teller did not comply with the robber’s demands but instead triggered the alarm system and told another teller they were being robbed, at which point that teller also triggered the alarm system, the complaint states. Collier and the other man then walked out of the bank. It was not clear whether any money was taken. More Info
  • MA: Acton police reports: 20-26
    5.1.18 – Wicked Local – Following are excerpts from the Acton public safety log for the period of April 20-26. The log is public record and available for review. All persons are assumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law. Friday, April 20. 5:36 a.m.: A commercial burglar alarm was … More Info
  • MA: Complaint About A Chicken Coop On Purdue Drive: Milford PD Log
    5.6.18 – Patch.com – 9:59 p.m.: Commercial alarm goes off at Firematic Supply. Confirmed forced entry. Also tried to drill inside the building at several places and tools were … More Info
  • MA: Rockland police log, March 25-31
    5.5.18 – Wicked Local – 3:09 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 6:10 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported at Home Depot. 7:01 a.m.: A burglar alarm was reported. 10:25 p.m.: A burglar … More Info
  • ME: Wiscasset Police Report
    5.1.18 – The Lincoln County News – April 23: Officers conducted 19 property checks, conducted a welfare check, conducted a 911 check, conducted traffic control, gave a warning for speeding in a school zone, responded to a burglar alarm (false alarm), investigated a trespassing complaint, investigated a complaint of erratic operations and gave a warning, … More Info
  • MN: Osakis Police Blotter April 18-23
    5.2.18 – Osakis Review – April 23. Commercial burglary alarm, employees on site do not know code to cancel, spoke with owner, false alarm. Alarm malfunction, spoke with staff, … More Info
  • NC: Break-in suspects caught on camera
    5.3.18 – Independent Tribune – The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene by the residence’s alarm activation. Law enforcement described the suspect as … After not receiving an answer at the door the suspect forced entry into the house and fled the scene shortly after the alarm activated. The victim has a security system that captured a … More Info
  • NC: Thousands of pills stolen from pharmacies
    5.1.18 – WCNC.com – A customer called Gaston County Communications after finding the store’s door open with no employees inside. “The door latch ain’t even all the way latched. The latch is on the outside of the door,” the customer told a dispatcher. “Something ain’t right.” According to a police report, the thieves cut through the alarm system’s … More Info
  • NV: Reno Police looking for suspect who crashed vehicle into Sierra …
    5.1.18 – KRNV My News 4 – Reno Police are looking for a suspect who crashed a vehicle into the front doors of the Sierra Wellness business on Monday, April 30. According to police, at about 5:40 a.m. officers responded to a business alarm at Sierra Wellness When officers arrived they discovered that a vehicle had driven … More Info
  • OH: Circleville Police Report
    5.4.18 – Circleville Herald – Genesis Healthcare advised their pharmacist pulled their fire alarm. There is no fire but they can’t get the alarm to … Caller advised of a residential panic alarm at the residence. Call cancelled per the alarm … Alarm panel activation on probation office at Circleville Municipal Court. Checks OK. Caller advised that her … More Info
  • OH: Girard crime activity: Employee says suspect threw feces on funeral …
    4.30.18 – WKBN.com – Monday, April 23. 9:40 a.m. –  police were sent to investigate an alarm drop. Officers found forced entry through a front man door of a garage, but no entry appeared to be made into the home. More Info
  • OK: Church burglar linked to as many as 12 crimes
    5.4.18 – Miami News Record – “It was also found wires connecting the alarm control panel to power/sensor wires was pulled disconnecting the alarm,” Hanson wrote in his report. The extensive damages caused by the burglary of over $1,500 to the church building’s doors, locking mechanism and security system needed to be replaced to properly function … More Info
  • OR: UPDATE: North Bend Police file charges against Coos County …
    5.2.18 – Coos Bay World – The North Bend Police Department received a telephone report from Gold Coast Security, the alarm service at First Community Credit Union, that the alarm had been triggered. After meeting with an employee outside, they confirm the alarm was legitimate and that Sorrow was still in the building. According to a press release … More Info
  • SC: Two sisters accused of using machete to attack wheelchair-bound …
    5.1.18 – WTOC – The sisters’ arrest stems from an incident on March 9 when deputies were called to a Salley home after an alarm company received a panic alarm. When deputies arrived they found the victim “bleeding profusely from his left forearm.” “While waiting on an ambulance to arrive, the victim, 61, told … More Info
  • TX: Crook Cam: BPD searching for two suspects after attempted robbery
    4.30.18 – 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC – Police are asking the public for help identifying two men who attempted to break into a local business on Thursday. Video surveillance shows the two men walking past the store and doubling back to break the windows. The breaking glass set off the alarm which caused the men to run away. Police ask if you have any … More Info
  • VA: Three business break-ins within 30 minutes in Prince William County
    5.1.18 – Inside NoVA – Prince William police are investigating three commercial burglaries in central Prince William County during the overnight hours between April 29 and 30. An alarm activation led officers to Parkway Pawn around 11:33 p.m. where they found a rear door damaged, police spokesperson Officer … 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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