A new study conducted by Security Sales & Integration and sister publication Police has found that 96 percent of the law enforcement community believes the alarm industry is of value to both police and civilians. This finding – among those derived from the more than 1,200 police officers of assorted ranks and jurisdictions who participated in the “2006 Police Alarm Industry Survey” – indicate that highly publicized response conflicts between law enforcement and the alarm industry in cities such as Dallas, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City are not indicative of overall sentiment within the law enforcement community.
Sponsored by Honeywell Security, the follow-up to the “2003 Police False Alarm Survey” also found that there have been steep declines in false alarm problems as well as verified response (person or CCTV video and/or audio deployed prior to dispatch). In addition, respondents demonstrated great enthusiasm for other electronic security systems and devices, such as video surveillance and access control.
The goal of the study is to determine law enforcement’s perception of the electronic security industry, the impact of false burglar alarms, and how both police and alarm companies can more effectively communicate and collaborate for the common good of all.
“There’s been a lot of friction related to false alarms, and we wanted to know how police really feel about the alarm industry,” says SSI Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine. “As it turns out, police overwhelmingly continue to hold alarm systems in high regard and believe they help as a deterrent and to catch criminals. This may surprise those who have been bombarded with negative portrayals of alarms and the companies that install and service them. Our hope is that the study will facilitate communication and cooperation between law enforcement and the electronic security industry, as they work toward revolving the false alarm issue and more effectively serving and protecting the public.”
Other key results of the study include: More than half of the respondents report cooperative relationships with alarm companies; Nearly nine in 10 law officers who have their own security alarm systems use them regularly; 84 percent of police say alarm systems are an effective means to protect people and property; and 56 percent of all agencies have no plans to implement any policy changes related to false alarms.
The complete findings of the “2006 Police False Alarm Survey,” including comments from dozens of law enforcement officials, appear in a special supplement poly-bagged with the April 2006 issue of SSI. An electronic version can also be accessed here.
Additional printed copies are also available by contacting Bobit Business Media at (310) 533-2400.
