Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31490
6 NEWS www.securitysystemsnews.com JANUARY 2011 SECURITY SYSTEMS NEWS Detroit enacts ECV By Daniel Gelinas DETROIT—Authorities here have teamed with the Security Industry Alarm Coalition and the Burglar and Fire Alarm Association of Michigan to enact an enhanced call verification policy to help reduce false alarms. The ECV policy went into effect Dec. 1 and, according to SIAC, resolves a situation that could have gone very badly for the industry. Enhanced call verification requires n a second call to a cell phone or alter- native number or use of a second- ary method like audio/video in an attempt to verify an actual dispatch of police is required. “This is great news. One of the City Council members was request- ing a verified response policy via a live witness,” said ACT NOW For a more robust version of stories in this section, see: WWW.SECURITYSYSTEMSNEWS.COM SIAC, association, city work together to bring change “This is just ALARM president Dean Belisle, who also is president of BFAAM. “We told them about ECV and they loved it right away.” Municipal authorities feel the teamwork exhibited in Detroit could be a lesson to neighboring municipalities. “For anyone sit- ting on the side- lines looking on, if it works in Detroit it will definitely work in other municipalities,” said DPD Cmdr. Todd Bettison. “ECV is best practice. It’s tested and proven to reduce the amount of residential and business false alarms. When the industry and law enforcement work together, the amount of false dispatches is reduced.” Belisle agreed the hope was to bring success in Detroit to the rest of Michigan. the first step. The goal is to give them a 25 percent reduc- tion in false alarm calls in Detroit. The next step is to target alarm abus- ers—habitual false alarm offend- ers—and the third step is to put a full ordinance in place. Once it works in Detroit, we’d like to bring it to the state level.” SIAC executive director Stan Dean Belisle Martin said the big victory here was the proof that cooperation meant a mutually beneficial outcome. “Verified response is non response.,” Martin said. “This was a huge victory for all parties. Police get significant reductions, while dealers and consumers continue to get sworn officer response to alarms versus having to hire private guards or respond themselves.” SSN How I Use My System Talking panels and keypads with John Whitehead J ohn Whitehead is vice presi- dent and general manager of True Steel Security, an integrator that installs intru- sion, video, access control and PERS out of its offices in Ontario, located in Sudbury, North Bay, and Timmins. Security Systems News talked with John about his security system, why he thinks security is a must-have item, and his thoughts about the end user of tomorrow. John Whitehead checks in on his family remotely through his security system’s cameras. What kind of system do you have, John? I have a GE Concord system. It has an alarm.com module in it so I can access it remotely. I tend to use my BlackBerry quite often to access the cameras and sensor history. The system includes full perimeter protection, smoke, carbon monoxide, and water detectors for my sump pump. Are you finding it easier now to attract quality employees with more people out of work? “Existing employees are now working seven or eight hours a day. Performance is at a higher level. Two years ago it was hard to get five or six hours of work from an employee. Employees con- trolled the company. Now employees want to keep their jobs and full benefits so they will work to perform at a higher level.” - George Gunning, USA Alarm Systems NEWSPOLL based on answers provided by 53 respondents in November and December Would you consider this an employers’ market with lots of available candidates? How does your system fit into your lifestyle? I have two young boys. One 14 and one 12. One bonus I never considered when installing the cameras is checking in with the family. I have been traveling a fair amount as of late, and it’s been great to call home at night to talk to my wife and boys, and to watch them on live streaming video as they tell me about their school days and hockey games. It’s pretty special. What aspect of your system could you not live without? We arm our system every time we leave the house. If we take the dog for a walk, we arm our system. Being in the alarm business you get to hear about all the break-ins that happen when people are simply gone to the store. I could not live without the security system, period! I don’t know how anyone can. What’s the next big game changer in the industry? Most purchasers today want an alarm system that is reliable, easy to use, and very affordable. But the next generation is into gadgets, and being able to remotely and immediately connect with their home—security, HVAC, history of activities—will be expected. Right now it’s only the early adopters who want it and are willing to pay for it. But that curve will change with every year that passes. —Daniel Gelinas