NCJ Number
64097
Journal
SIGNAL Dated: FOURTH QUARTER (1979) Pages: 38,40-42
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON ALARM SYSTEMS ON POLICE RESPONSE TO ALARM CALLS IN NEW YORK CITY IS PRESENTED; THE AUTHOR IS THE PRESIDENT OF A MAJOR SECURITY SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
Abstract
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN GOVERNMENTAL ACTION TO PUT RESTRICTION ON THE ALARM INDUSTRY. WHILE THE ALARM INDUSTRY MAY RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR SOME REGULATION, LEGISLATION ENACTED FOR ITS OWN SAKE IS A GROSS ERROR. ALARM LEGISLATION EFFORTS HAVE PRIMARILY BEEN DIRECTED AT DECREASING THE NUMBER OF FALSE ALARMS. THIS PRESSING CONCERN IS BUT ONE OF SEVERAL PROBLEM AREAS RELATING TO ALARM SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS. IN JANUARY 1979, THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL LOWER THE PRIORITY OF CALLS RECEIVED FROM AUTOMATED TAPE ALARMS THROUGH THE 911 EXCHANGE. THEY CLAIM THAT OF THE 1,000 CALLS PER DAY RECEIVED AT 911 FROM THE TAPED ALARM SYSTEMS, 98 PERCENT ARE PROVEN TO BE FALSE DUE TO ACCIDENTAL OR OTHER MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES OF THE SYSTEMS. THE GOALS OF ALARM LEGISLATION SHOULD BE AIMED AT IMPROVING OVERALL ALARM SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS AS WELL AS AT PROVIDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH INCREASED CRIME CONTROL CAPACITY. SUCH LEGISLATION SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON IMPROVING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS. DESPITE PROBLEMS WITH ALARM SYSTEMS, THERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT ALARMS ARE AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DETERRING AND APPREHENDING CRIMINALS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE USE OF AUTOMATIC TAPED TELEPHONE DIALERS TO 911 BE ELIMINATED. IN ADDITION, ALL ALARM TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BEFORE POLICE PERSONNEL ARE DISPATCHED. A BILL RECENTLY PROPOSED IN THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE ESTABLISHES QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR ALARM INSTALLATION AND SERVICE BUSINESSES. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE EDUCATED IN THE PROPER USE OF ALARMS, AND THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT'S CRIME PREVENTION UNIT AND THE METROPOLITAN BURGLAR ALARM ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK SHOULD DEVELOP A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROVIDED. (LWM)