SIAC Reports Dispatches Down, Praises SSI’s Efforts
The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) says it is succeeding in efforts to reduce alarm dispatch rates and build bridges between the industry, law enforcement and government.
The alarm industry is entrusting the coalition with more funding as a result, says Stan Martin, executive director of SIAC.
“There are now 34 companies that actively support SIAC,” says Martin. “We continue to gain partners and financial support because of the success we’ve had in public safety. Dispatches are declining and alliances between the alarm providers and police agencies are on the rise.”
SIAC reported its education initiatives — such as its enhanced call verification (ECV) and CP-01 standards — decreased dispatches by nearly 70 percent.
In addition, SIAC says it has formed partnerships with organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) and the FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association).
Martin has lauded a recent study of the law enforcement community’s perception of alarm systems and the alarm industry conducted by Security Sales & Integration and Police magazines.
“The ‘Building a Powerful Partnership’ study conducted by Police magazine and Security Sales & Integration provided a valuable tool to the alarm industry,” says Martin. “These two publications went above the call of duty for the media. They dismantled the myth that the police and alarm communities do not appreciate each other. By conducting this study, SSI and Police opened the door for productive dialogue between law enforcement and the security industry across the country. The study was not only informative, it also made a difference in public safety.”
The SSI/Police study, which was published as a supplement distributed with each magazine’s April 2006 issue, found that “interest in verified response is down by nearly half.” According to the study, in 2005, only 7 percent of police respondents supported verified response as compared to 17 percent in 2003 (the previous time the study was conducted). To date, less than 30 of the country’s 18,000 police departments use the outdated and risky policy.
For more information on this study, click here.
“The law enforcement community has clearly rejected verified response,” says Martin. Martin also praised SSI for its participation in the recently established Police Dispatch Quality Award (PDQ) program, which recognizes companies for working with law enforcement to reduce false alarm dispatches. “Security Sales & Integration not only reports, it also makes a difference off the page,” says Martin. “SSI recognized the alarm industry’s need to reduce dispatches, so it helped us and FARA [False Alarm Reduction Association] sponsor the PDQ Award. With their help, we have brought attention to effective solutions that everyone in our industry can share.” Coverage of the 2006 PDQ Award can be found in the magazine’s May 2006 issue.
SIAC says its success is reflected in the funding it receives from the alarm industry. Since its inception in 2003, annual donations have risen to nearly $750,000, the coalition reports.
Its top three biggest financial supporters are ADT Security Systems, Honeywell Security & Custom Electronics and the Security Industry Association (SIA), each giving $150,000. GE, DSC and Brink’s Home Security have given nearly as much.
Beyond direct financial contributions, companies have also donated the full-time service of employees. For example, Martin says, ADT’s Bill Cooper and Jon Sargent as well as Brink’s Home Security’s Dave Simon work on critical SIAC issues.
“Having these professionals available has effectively doubled our staff and productivity,” says Martin.
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