SIAC Receives Financial Pledge From Amherst Alarm to Fight Harmful Ordinances
The donation will be divided between the fund established to fight the Sandy Springs, Ga., ordinance and to promote the SIAC Model Alarm Ordinance.
Founded in 1984 by CEO Tim Creenan and his wife, Maryann, Amherst Alarm is a full-service installation monitoring provider serving Western New York. The company, which was awarded the Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) Award in 2016, has pledged to donate 10 cents per customer to SIAC.
FRISCO, Texas — Amherst Alarm CEO Tim Creenan has committed a financial pledge to the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) in support of its legal efforts to battle ordinances that threaten non-response and other factors, such as those adopted recently in Sandy Springs, Ga.
Creenan, a newly inducted member of the SSI Industry Hall of Fame, will donate 10 cents for each Amherst Alarm customer to SIAC, resulting in a substantial donation, according to an announcement.
The donation will be divided between the fund established to fight the Sandy Springs ordinance and funding for SIAC’s ongoing nationwide activities to promote a “Model Alarm Ordinance” that has dramatically decreased false alarms in communities nationwide, according to SIAC.
“There is no question that cities such as Sandy Springs negatively impact our business and our customers with ordinances based on misinformation or animosity toward our industry,” says Creenan. “A small investment now will pay tremendous dividends if ordinances that fine alarm companies, impose outrageous fees for registration and false alarms, and generally discourage or punish people from protecting their lives and property go unchallenged.”
SIAC is providing the background information for and organizing the legal challenge to the Sandy Springs ordinance in U.S. District Court. In addition, SIAC’s professional staff meets with public safety leaders throughout the United States and interfaces with leading public safety organizations to promote proven solutions that include the Model Alarm Ordinance, created with input from law enforcement.
“Let’s not kid ourselves,” says SIAC Executive Director. “There are individuals in the country who spend a considerable amount of their time trying to undermine our industry’s credibility and promote ordinances that either fine alarm companies or severely limit police response to alarms. Their misinformation campaigns can take root when there is no alternative voice to provide expertise on the issue.
“Without a proactive program to engage the nation’s 18,000 public safety agencies these efforts will gain momentum, harm our relationship with customers and place excessive administrative and financial burdens on our businesses.”
Creenan, who serves on the SIAC board as a representative of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is urging other companies to make the same donation of 10 cents per customer.
“I can’t think of any investment with a higher potential ROI than funding SIAC’s well-established track record for promoting the Model Alarm Ordinance and fighting back when our industry and those we serve are attacked. It is clearly a case of pay now or pay much more later.”
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
