Alarm Systems Should Complement Basic Security Strategies

Info

Link

Alarm Systems Should Complement

Basic Security Strategies

By: Michael D. Betten, CPP, Overland Park Kansas Police Department In my role as a crime prevention officer, my primary responsibility is to assist members of the community improve the security of their homes and businesses. The most common security purchase made by home and/or business owners is an alarm system. Their expectation is that the alarm system will provide them with a full range of protection for their families and valuables.

Alarm systems are not security panaceas. The most common problem associated with alarm systems is the false alarm. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) estimates that 98% of all alarm activation's are false. In 1999, 99.4% of the alarm responses in Overland Park, Kansas were to false alarms. IACP findings indicate alarm activations can account for 10 to 30% of all calls for police service. Use of any problem-solving model immediately indicates this is a problem in need of a solution. Thus, law enforcement agencies must identify innovative ways to combat the drain the ever-increasing number of false alarms creates on police services.

With so much effort being focused on false alarm reduction, most police agencies overlook an excellent

opportunity to develop and promote effective security strategies as a companion program. False-alarm reduction and improved security strategies should be developed simultaneously. Our preoccupation with false alarm prevention often results in overlooking the primary reason alarm systems are purchased, improved personal security!

When I make public presentations on problems associated with alarm systems, it is often assumed that I am "anti-alarm-system." This is definitely not the case. Alarm systems effectively complement an "overall" security strategy, but alarm systems should not stand alone as the only security strategy employed by a business or resident.

It is not unusual for residents to be offered a security survey following their purchase of an alarm system. Many of these residents claim the alarm company's sales representative conducted a security survey when the alarm system was installed. During discussions with the resident or business owner, the following question usually surfaces: Were the best interests of the alarm company, the sales person, or the customer served by the alarm company's security assessment?

NBFAA Declares November False

Alarm Prevention Month

In an effort to raise awareness of the false alarm issue, the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association has declared November as False Alarm Prevention Month. NBFAA has initiated a multi-faceted plan to educate alarm dealers and to provide substantive information on how to reduce false alarms.

NBFAA President Bart Didden requested the help of all alarm industry professionals and stated, “We would like your help in bringing false alarm prevention to the consciousness of every electronic systems professional in the industry and every end user. However, we can’t do it alone. It will only be through the collective effort of the electronic systems industry that we can begin the education efforts needed to alleviate this problem.” The plan includes the False Alarm Network (FAN), which is made up of a group of dealers and manufacturers across the county that work with NBFAA to educate dealers on false alarm prevention and act as the eyes and ears for the industry with regard to the enactment of alarm ordinances.

The Topic of the Month is prepared and distributed to the FAN and state leaders for dissemination to alarm dealers, which is designed to educate the industry on practical false alarm reduction topics.

Dealer Workshops are occurring across the country to educate alarm dealers on the new control panel standards and other false alarm prevention issues. These workshops are given by the industry’s CARE coordinators and have been successful to date.

NBFAA has also instituted a Dealer Pledge program, wherein dealers sign a pledge vowing to attempt verification prior to requesting police dispatch (excluding hold-up and fire alarms), perform installation of systems with SIA Control Panel false alarm reduction features, and agree not to place a system into service until each alarm user is adequately trained.

Another facet of the education program is the continuation of end user education. In that effort, NBFAA is looking to partner with jurisdictions to spread the word of false alarm prevention month. If you are interested in a press release aimed toward consumers or in receiving false alarm prevention brochures (at a nominal cost), please contact Jennifer Gehring, Director of Government Relations, at NBFAA 301/585-1855 ext. 109 or e-mail at [email protected].

FARA applauds NBFAA’s initiative to educate alarm dealers with specific, practical ways in which to reduce false alarms and enthusiastically supports their efforts.

September 28 Atlanta, GA October 4 Warrick, RI October 5 Gatlinburg, TN October 11 Columbus, OH

October 11 Dallas, TX November 8 Sun Valley, ID

October 11 Valley Steam NY November 30 San Diego, CA

October 12 Ocean City, MD

October 24 Birmingham, AL Tentative Future Summit Locations: October 26 New Haven, CT

October 28 Orlando, FL Las Vegas, NV

November 2 Shawnee Mission, KS Nashville, TN

November 14 Richmond, VA Springfield, MA

December 7 San Francisco, CA Lincoln, NE

For more information on dealer workshops or TIP summits, contact Jennifer Gehring at 301/585-1855, ext. 109 or [email protected].

One of the initiatives the Publications Committee is looking into this year is the creation of sample job descriptions for alarm unit staff. The Committee will make recommendations as to the classification of jobs needed, appropriate salary ranges for employees, and specific job duties necessary to run a successful unit. The Committee is looking for help in gathering current job descriptions, duties and salary ranges so that this publication can be developed. Please mail copies of all your job descriptions and other relevant materials to FARA at 255 N. Washington Street, #303, Rockville, MD 20850, or by fax at 301/279-1916, or e-mail at [email protected]. The more information we get from our members, the better our publication will be. If you don’t believe your salary is commensurate with your job responsibilities, let us know! Once we publish our ideal job descriptions with salaries, you can use it to show your department/agency that you are under compensated!

Both FARA and NBFAA, the co-authors of the Model Burglar Alarm Ordinance, have agreed that it is important to review the model every two years to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. Everyone is encouraged to review the model ordinance and send any recommended changes to Norma Beaubien, FARA, 255 N.

Washington Street, #303, Rockville, MD 20850 or via e-mail at [email protected]. You can download the model ordinance from www.alarm.org. All changes and/or recommendations must be received by January 1, 2001.

Alarm Systems Should Complement Basic Security Strategies

Continued from Page 1

During my security surveys, I want to definitively establish what the client is trying to protect, people or property. This is my very first goal, but it may seem basic. Security strategies for protection of people or for protection of property are quite different. If a resident's primary concern is protection from a burglar while the house is unoccupied, it is possible to accomplish most of their objectives by installing an alarm system.

Residents, whose primary concern is protection of family members, have several additional factors to consider. First, phone-line protection should be ensured, so the communication lifeline to police services is maintained at all times. Second, the residence's "physical security" should be addressed to ensure any perpetrator's entry into the residence is delayed as long as possible.

Most homes have a single phone line installed. Most alarm companies connect their alarm system to that single phone line. Once the alarm system is activated, the phone line is "seized," to allow the residence's alarm system to communicate with the central-alarm monitoring station. While the phone line is seized, residents cannot dial 911. Families in a true emergency can be deprived of telephone service to quickly summon and communicate with police services.

A second critical element often ignored by alarm representatives during their residential security survey is the type of police response their alarm system will produce. A phone call from the residence to police dispatchers, which requests an emergency police response to an aggravated burglary, is prioritized much higher than most responses to an intrusion or panic alarm. 911 telephone lines provide a direct telephone link to police

dispatchers. Dispatchers confirm threats, relay vital information to responding police officers, and are a crucial link in upgrading police emergency responses.

Alarm notifications routed to the central monitoring station eventually reach the police dispatch center, which dispatches patrol officers in the field. Once officers arrive, they must confirm an emergency situation exists before they can enter the residence or business. The public often assumes a panic or intrusion alarm provides this confirmation, and responding officers will automatically enter their residence. Law enforcement officers must consider complicated Fourth Amendment issues before entering private residences, but that is another issue all together. My objective is not to issue directives to the community, but to provide them with facts and information. Thus, they make decisions based on factual information, their true security needs, and not

information provided by an alarm company sales associate. Education

During the search for possible solutions in the reduction of false alarms, the following should be considered: education, registration of alarm companies, alarm ordinances, increasing fine schedules, and cancellations of police response. I believe a police department should consider all of these areas, as an effective response to false alarms.

The primary focus should be on education and when it is offered. Our Police Department's false alarm classes discuss a police perspective on alarms; the requirements of our alarm ordinance; and, the importance of developing a comprehensive security strategy. Unfortunately, many individuals who attend this class have already invested substantial sums of money into an alarm system. Not much money remains to address other physical security needs at the residence or business. Class participants often state, "I wish this class had been required prior to the purchase of my alarm system!"

Oxnard Sees Results with Educational Effort

The Oxnard Police Department has instituted an aggressive public education campaign in its effort to reduce false alarms. The free False Alarm Awareness School, taught by both police officials and representatives of the Southern California Security Association, includes instruction on false alarms – what they are, why they

happen, and how to avoid them. It also includes information on how to select a reputable alarm company, dealing with central stations, and customer rights. Attendance at the False Alarm Awareness School provides alarm users with a voucher good for up to $150 in savings on false alarm fines.

Baltimore City Ordinance Charges Alarm/Monitoring Companies

The Baltimore City, Maryland, Council and Mayor enacted a burglar alarm law in July that provides for registration of both alarm users and alarm companies/monitoring centers, imposes false alarm response fees ranging from $50 for the 3rd false alarm in a month period to $1000 each for 14 or more false alarms in a 12-month period, and provides that the alarm/monitoring company initially pay the false alarm response fees for its customers. The ordinance also provides, however, that the alarm/monitoring company may charge the fee back to the alarm user if the alarm company provides the alarm user with an invoice, a copy of all documents

received from the city, and a copy of the alarm user’s appeal rights. Fees for registration, renewal and

reinstatement, information required to be filed, criteria for revoking a registration and procedures for filing an appeal, among other things, must be adopted by the Police Commissioner within 90 days. The ordinance provides for enforcement to begin in six months.

Indian River County Gets Results

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office announced in July that it had reduced false alarms by 23% using a system of escalating fines and mandatory attendance at a false alarm awareness school on the 4th false alarm in a year. Sheriff Gary Wheeler said that two years ago, about 25% of all calls for service were to false alarms. Indian River County’s alarm ordinance provides for two free false alarms then the imposition of fees, starting at $50 for the third and escalating to $250 each for the fifth and all subsequent false alarms. Attendance at the alarm user awareness school is voluntary upon the third false alarm and mandatory on the fourth.

Salt Lake City Goes Limited Response

As of December 1, 2000, alarm companies will no longer be permitted to request police department dispatch to burglar alarm activations. Instead, they will be required to send a private guard to the site. If the guard sees evidence of a crime, the call to police will be a high priority and a police officer will be dispatched. The Salt Lake City Council passed the ordinance on September 12, 2000, but it will not become effective until

December. The postponed implementation date provides the city with an opportunity to educate the public. SLC Police will continue to respond to panic, duress and hold-up alarms. Alarm users can expect to pay $100 for each and every false alarm to these types of alarm activations.

Southlake, Texas City Council to Pass Alarm Ordinance

A 1999 Department of Public Safety study revealed that 26% of all calls for police service and 24% of all calls for fire service were for alarm activations that turned out to be false. The City Council is looking at enacting a law that requires education, remediation and enforcement to reduce false alarms. The ordinance calls for alarm user permits, refusing response after 5 false alarms or billing for the response (at $50 per false alarm), and educational classes with problematic alarm users. The City Council is slated to vote on the proposed ordinance next month.

On Sunday, August 28, 2000, Norma Beaubien,

President, FARA, gave a report to the leadership of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association on FARA’s accomplishments over the last year and new initiatives for this year.

Norma was recently named as the FARA representative to the NBFAA’s False Alarm Committee, where she has an opportunity to participate in and help establish false alarm reduction initiatives.

“The meetings in New York were very successful and worthwhile. Bart was a gracious host, who pledged his support and assistance in continuing our mutual goal of false alarm reduction,” said Norma.

Bart Didden, President, NBFAA and Norma Beaubien, President, FARA discuss mutual goals at Awards Reception at ISC East in New York.

Although FARA’s National Conference may be six months away, Conference Committee Members are working fast and furiously on providing you the best conference to date.

New Training will be be provided not only to the New Alarm Manager but to the Veteran as well. Committee Meetings Galore, Networking, New Publications,

Brainstorming, Networking and Educating.

Start planning now!!!

Contracts have been signed. Rooms

Reserved. Watch your mail, as you will be receiving your Registration Packets in mid to late October.

FARA National Conference April 24, 2001 to April 27, 2001

Marriott Hotels

nowledge

bsolutely the best conference yet etworking

pecialized Training

larms-Unique Methods in Reducing Falses ome Site Seeing

ooperative Effort nsight

raining, Training & more Training ou Must Be There!!!!

Alarm System Advertising Scheme Raises Hackles

The notice listed below is part of what appeared in consumer’s natural gas bills in the Salt Lake Valley in an attempt to sell alarm systems.

Questar, the statewide gas supplier, has teamed with ArmedAlert Security to market alarm systems. ArmedAlert provides the alarm system and the customer’s monitoring bill is included with the natural gas bill every month. The notice

consumers received was signed by Bill Reese, as a Questar/ArmedAlert Security Consultant. After investigation, it was revealed that Bill Reese does not really exist. He is a fictitious character.

In researching the statistics used to document the Questar/ArmedAlert Security claim, it quickly became apparent that no such statistics existed. According to the Utah State Department of Safety, home invasion robberies had actually declined the past two years. The SLCPD crime analysis office stated that no such increases were determined. Queries were put out to all surrounding law enforcement agencies with the same results.

The Salt Lake City Council just enacted an ordinance to have the alarm industry provide private guard to respond to burglar alarms. ArmedAlert created a new sales approach, which would encourage customers to purchase the alarm system for the panic/duress feature, to which SLCPD will still continue to respond. The consumer, however, may not be told that “free” panic/duress calls will no longer exist and each false call will result in a $100 penalty.

The Utah State Division of Professional Licensing and the Utah State Consumer Protection Office are now involved, as is the media. A story on the scare tactics employed in the above mailing appeared on a local investigative reporter television special, the front page of the statewide paper, a local comment column, and a weekly city paper.

Questar/ArmedAlert pulled the ad while still claiming their statistics were accurate.

Brad Shipp, Executive Director of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, gave the InfoLink his position on scare tactics in advertising, “The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA)recently adopted an expanded Code of Ethics that addresses the issue of scare tactics and unsubstantiated claims. Members of the NBFAA are committed to serving the public with high quality products and services that help protect lives and property through the detection of certain events. The NBFAA Code of Ethics is intended to assist NBFAA members and their employees in providing these products and services to the public in a highly ethical manner. This Code is binding on all members of the NBFAA.”

Part of the NBFAA Code of Ethics, which deals with advertising, reads as follows: "In providing products and services, NBFAA members impact: their customers; public emergency response agencies; their employees; competitors; and the general public. NBFAA members will take all appropriate steps to adhere to the following principles as they apply to each of these impacted groups.

1. Customers - Members acknowledge that their customers are the members' reason for being. Members will give due respect to customers by complying with the following:

(a) Members will advertise in a non-deceptive manner and in accordance with applicable laws. (b) In sales presentations to prospective customers, members will:

(i) not misrepresent the capabilities of their products or services;

(ii) not quote statistics or provide other information which is known to be false or which the member has not made a reasonable effort to objectively verify."

Urgent Notice to Home Owners

Home Invasion is on the rise

The latest statistics are out, and it doesn’t look good for local home-owners. While some types of crime in our area decreased slightly in the last year, the number of reported home invasions actually increased.

The Conference Committee has been hard at work developing an agenda, selecting a hotel, and discussing ways in which to make our next conference in Kansas City the most exiting and beneficial yet. Since this is your

conference, we want to make sure we meet your needs, provide the training you want, and choose topics that are of interest to our membership. This is your opportunity to have input into the content of our Kansas City

conference. Tell us what you want, want you need, what you must have! You can e-mail or fax your

comments to Conference Committee Chair Jim Cogswell at [email protected] or fax at 913/642-2238.

Feel free to use the form below to make your comments, and include your name and phone number so we can contact you with any questions. If you need more room, just attach a separate sheet of paper. Please let us know your needs/wants by October 13, 2000. Thanks for your input and cooperation!

Courses/Presentations I Would Like to See in Kansas City

1. 2. 3. 4.

What I Hope to Learn by Attending the Conference

1. 2. 3. 4.

Suggestions I Have for a Successful Conference

1. 2. 3. 4.

Do you have copies of all of the publications FARA offers? If not, now is the time to put in your order! At our 2000 Annual Conference in Nashville, our committees presented the written materials they had been working on all year long. If you were not able to attend the conference, you probably have not seen our new

publications. Please check off the publications you want, fax this form to FARA at 301/279-1916, and the materials you request will be put in the mail to you the next day. Members are entitled to receive one free copy of every publication produced by the FARA so put in your order today!

New Publications in 2000

_______ Mobile Security Devices Position Paper and Model Ordinance

_______ Quick Reference for Alarm Equipment (This is a quick reference guide of

different types of alarm equipment, their recommended applications, and their false alarm potential.)

_______ Burglar Alarm Systems – A Consumer Guide to Purchasing an Alarm

System and Understanding False Alarms (This guide can be reproduced by

members and given out as an educational tool to prospective and current alarm users.)

_______ False Alarm Ordinances (updated from 1999)

_______ How to Create an Alarm User Awareness School for your

Municipality (updated from 1998) Prior Publications

_______ How to Develop and Implement a False Alarm Reduction Program

_______ False Alarm Tracking and Billing Software

_______ Model Burglar Alarm Ordinance (Joint effort with the National Burglar

and Fire Alarm Association)

_______ False Alarm Tips Brochure

_______ Standards in Calculating and Reporting False Alarms

Name Agency

Street Address Room/Suite Number

Alarm Systems Should Complement Basic Security Strategies

Continued from Page 4

The alarm company sells a system specifically designed to generate a police response, but police rarely have an opportunity to speak with the purchaser prior to the installation of the alarm system. I would argue that police should not only be provided this opportunity, but rather there is a police department obligation to address alarm systems. Ultimately, police will be required to supplement the alarm system with police responses. Requiring potential alarm users to attend False Alarm training prior to purchase and installation of alarms affords several benefits:

♦ Users receive factual information about common physical security weaknesses, developing effective security strategies, alarm system components, alarm-system registration requirements, common false alarm causes, false-alarm fees, and other alarm ordinance information. Police departments have a working knowledge about local laws, and are able to separate themselves from the pressure to sell alarm systems. Thus, information is candid and accurate.

♦ Law enforcement officers can also address current crime trends.

♦ Police-call prioritization and police responses to alarm systems can be addressed.

♦ Security strategies and a full range of security measures can be discussed. Residents concerned about protecting family members will be advised of phone-line seizure issues.

Some might argue the Police Department is inappropriately intervening. This is not the case. Most private alarm companies sell police services, because their alarm systems initiate a police response. Often this response is summoned before a crime has been verified. It is important for law enforcement to have an opportunity to share factual and critical information about police services. Second, purchasers of alarm company services who use a private security response to alarm activation's would not be obligated to attend these classes. Third, this proposal allows police departments to share alarm information with the community, and is not intended to mandate specific equipment or recommend specific companies.

False alarms have been a problem since security systems were invented. Statistics show the problem continues to grow. Law enforcement's transition to a community oriented policing philosophy, promotes proactive

policing. Effective community partnerships require delivery of accurate, useful and timely information to assist residents in crime prevention. Our role in law enforcement should be to provide citizens with information about effective security strategies based on true needs assessments, so alarm systems achieve the users' expectations.

The Board of directors, along with the entire association membership, would like to welcome our newest members:

ADT Security Services (Boca Raton, FL), City of Alburquerque (New Mexico), College Station Police Department (Texas), Calvert County Public Safety (Maryland), Collier County Sheriff’s Office (Florida), Arlington County Police Department (Virginia), Baltimore City Police Department (Maryland), City of Jacksonville Beach Police Department (Florida).

ADT SECURITY SERVICES, INC ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

APACHE JUNCTION POLICE DEPARTMENT ARLINGTON COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

ASHEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT

BALTIMORE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT BLAINE POLICE DEPARTMENT

CACI, INC. CALVERT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

CARSON CITY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CHANDLER POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE POLICE CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE PUBLIC SAFETY

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT CITY OF GREENBELT

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA CITY OF STOCKTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITY OF WICHITA CLARKSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

COLLEGE STATION POLICE DEPARTMENT COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

CORAL SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT COVINA POLICE DEPARTMENT

EDS FEDERAL WAY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

GARLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT GILBERT POLICE DEPARTMENT

GLENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT GREENVILLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

GWINNETT COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT HILLSBUROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT

HUNTSVILLE ALARM REDUCTION PROGRAM LAUREL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

LEE'S SUMMIT POLICE DEPARTMENT LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY POLICE

LOCKHEED MARTIN IMS LOUISVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT MULTNOMAH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

NBFAA NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWPORT BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERLAND PARK KANSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

PARADISE VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT PARK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

SALT LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DIVISION ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT

SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT

TORONTO POLICE SERVICES TOWN OF WILTON

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WATERFORD TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

ELECTRONIC SECURITY SERVICES COM CAIN SECURITY

To Fara Members who received Renewal Notices in June of this year, but who have not

renewed their Membership,

this will be your last Newsletter!!

If your membership was due to

expire in June, and your department/agency is not listed above, that means the FARA office has

not received your renewal membership.

If you wish to continue your Membership, along with the benefits provided by the False Alarm

Reduction Association, please hurry and return those Renewals today.

F.Y.I. – ADT HAS AQUIRED THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES

Phoenix Security Safeguard Security Systems

920 Ford Street 7921 Paxton Street

W. Conshohochen, PA 19428 Harrisburg, PA 17111

255 North Washington Street #303 Rockville, Maryland 20850 www.faraonline.org

Comments and suggestions regarding FARA’s InfoLink are both encouraged and welcomed. If you would like to submit an article for publication, or if you have any questions or concerns about this newsletter, please contact Newsletter Chairman Rick Moore at 301-279-1917, e-mail at [email protected].

Submitted articles in this newsletter are the expressed opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Officers and Directors of the FARA.

FARA Mission Statement

It is the mission of the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) to provide a forum for local government alarm ordinance managers to

exchange information on successful false alarm reduction programs, to serve as a clearinghouse for agencies seeking to reduce false alarms, and to foster an environment of cooperation among law enforcement, the alarm industry and the alarm users.