2/2/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Boa 108 PAGE246 7 The alarm industry, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Sheriffs Association (NSA) have joined efforts and are working together to reduce the problem of false alarms. In October 1994, at the IACP Conference in Albuquerque, NM., the Model Cities Program was developed. The program's objective is to combat the growing concern about false alarms. Three cities were selected: Bellevue, WA; Elgin, EL; and Philadelphia, PA. Through a proactive approach with the alarm companies and the communities in partnership, there was a substantial reduction of false alarms in all three communities. The IACP, NSA and the alarm industry want to share these strategies and successes with other jurisdictions in the country. As a result, the Model States Program developed out of the Model Cities Program. Again, the objective of the Model States Program is to develop a consensus and a working relationship between the alarm industry in the Model States and the law enforcement community. The Program finds the causes of false dispatches and identifies reduction programs, applying corrective actions and measuring the progress of the false dispatch reduction program. This includes ordinances, state licensing laws, community education and a response methodology that includes software aimed at identifying alarm owners and malfunction histories or chronic abusers. The states selected by IACP and NSA for the Model States Program are Florida, Missouri, Illinois and Washington. As you can see, there has been a tremendous effort by both law enforcement and the security industry to work together to address the problem of false alarms. Mr. Stan Martin, Vice President of Industry Relations for ADI, has been appointed the National False Alarm Coordinator for the Alarm Industry Research & Education Foundation, which is funding the program and provides for the support, software, and guidance for participating agencies. Locally, as we attempt to address the false alarm problem, we are fortunate to have the assistance and expertise of Mr. Ron Walters, Florida's Model State Program Coordinator. With Mr. Walters' assistance and unique perspective of both the alarm industry and law enforcement, we have been able to draft an ordinance that we believe will meet everyone's needs. Part of this effort included a meeting with the alarm companies hosted at the Sheriffs Office on December 16, 1998. As a result of that meeting, valuable input from the companies present led to changes in the draft. In proposing this solution, we hope to ensure that the alarm industry can continue to provide a deterrent to criminals. Responsible alarm companies provide a valuable service to their customers providing a sense of security that we hope will continue. We are convinced that through alarm dealer/user education and appropriate accountability, the citizens of Indian River County will actually increase their own level of law enforcement service through optimal use of police resources. In closing, I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners in advance for your vision in considering the proposed ordinance that will go before you. Should you have any questions, Please feel,free to contact me at 569-6700, ext. 404. Sincerely, Ar e. �L)44 - Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff FEBRUARY 2, 1999