Alarm industry backs coalition

Aug 8, 2006 11:17 AM

Since its inception in 2003, the Security Industry Alarm Coalition's (SIAC) goal has been to reduce alarm dispatch rates and build bridges between the industry, law enforcement and government. To further its goals, the alarm industry is entrusting the coalition with more funding.
"There are now 34 companies that actively support SIAC," says SAIC executive director Stan 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 has educated local and state governments as well as the alarm industry and law enforcement community. As a result of coalition initiatives such as Enhanced Call Verification and CP-01 standards, dispatches are down by nearly 70 percent. In addition, SIAC has formed valuable partnerships with organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff's Association and the FBI-LEEDA. Now, 96 percent of police officers view the alarm industry as valuable.
"The law enforcement community has clearly rejected verified response," Martin says.
According to a recent study co-sponsored by Police magazine, "interest in verified response is down by nearly half." In 2005, only 7 percent of police respondents supported verified response as compared to 17 percent in 2003. To date, less than 30 of the country's 18,000 police departments use the outdated and risky policy.
SIAC's success is reflected in contributions from the alarm industry. Annual donations have risen to nearly $750,000. Since it began, the coalition's top three biggest financial supporters have been ADT Security Systems, Honeywell Security and Customer Electronics and the Security Industry Association, each giving $150,000. GE/Interlogix, Digital Security Controls and Brink's Home Security have given nearly as much.
Beyond direct financial contributions, companies have donated the full time service of employees. 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," Martin says.

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