The police department in Rock Hill, Texas, has garnered the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) Directors’ Award of Distinction for its efforts in reducing false dispatches.

An observance was held during a recent city council meeting during which members of the community were recognized for the outstanding successes of Rock Hill’s alarm management program, which was developed jointly by the police department, the alarm industry and Frisco, Texas-based SIAC.

The program included the development of an alarm ordinance, initial and continuing community education, as well as continuing assessment and monitoring of the program.

In 2005, Rock Hill police responded to 5,431 alarm-related calls for service. The number dropped to 3,857 in 2007, a reduction of 1,574 calls or a 29 percent reduction in dispatches, in less than two years.

“We’re pleased with the decrease in alarm dispatches in just a short period of time and anticipate additional reductions during 2008,” says Capt. Charles Cabaniss, the police department’s executive lead in the program.

The reduction is even more impressive given the city’s recent growth in new residences and businesses as well as the increasing number of existing locations installing new alarms, according to Rock Hill City Manager Carey Smith.

“The time we’ve saved by the reduction in these calls has almost equated an additional officer, giving our officers more time to devote to community policing activities, and also results in shorter response times to calls for service,” says Police Chief John Gregory.

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