Photo via Flickr (BennCapon)
By Ashley Willis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 20-percent increase in home burglaries since 2010 is causing Nashville residents to seek ways to combat intruders, according to News Channel 5.
ADS Security Vice President Tom Szell believes the May 2010 Nashville floods played a part in the crime increase in the area. He tells SSI that many families had to relocate and many businesses closed down because of the natural disaster.
"The floods rivaled the devastation that happened with Hurricane Katrina, except we're a smaller city," he says. "I think people are becoming a little more desperate because they are out of work. With desperation, crime increases. It's just natural."
ADS Security-Nashville Sales Manager Gerrit Brusse adds, "There is a lot of foreclosed inventory in the housing market here. I think that gives an avenue for would-be home burglars to pursue."
In the news report, Frankie Burnett said that within the past year she has seen four burglaries on her street. Burnett, a 30-year Nashville resident, said there had never been a burglary or attempted burglary in the area for as long as she lived there. She noted that most residents are now planning to get an intrusion alarm.
Despite the heightened interest in home security systems, ADS refuses to pursue marketing campaigns that highlight the increase in home burglaries. "Marketing 'fear' can be a very slippery slope," Brusse says. "Instead, we've chosen to keep our marketing message stable, focusing on life safety."
Szell agrees, noting that business has increased for the full-service security provider because of its reputation in the community and customer referrals. He says operating Tennessee's only Five Diamond-certified central station and offering water detection and remote services has been able to set the company apart from other alarm businesses.
"We have 75,000 loyal customers under the ADS brand," says Szell. "What we offer carries a lot of weight because people know that they are getting their money's worth."
Additionally, the company encourages customers to become familiar with their communities to help prevent intrusion. "Nashville is unique in a way that we have condensed urban neighborhoods, large commuter communities, large subdivisions and rural areas," says Brusse. "But one thing we always try to communicate to our clients is to get to know your neighbors. They see more than you think."
Ashley Willis is associate editor for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION. She can be reached at (310) 533-2419.
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