By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted November 19, 2008

Taking care of our clients is our number one priority. For some, like The Humane Society, their whole reason for being is to take care of others. We recognize our role in keeping the animals at The Humane Society safe and are thrilled that only the suspect sustained injuries during this incident. He had to be treated for bite wounds after attempting to evade the K9 unit that responded to a call from Sonitrol Pacific.

“Last evening at 1:59 I received a call from Sonitrol that they were dispatching police because our alarm system picked up intrusion with a lot of crashing sounds. I confirmed for them that noise at this end of the building would not be normal. The police responded and caught the intruder as he fled the building. I believe the fact that the alarm system is silent to the intruder is key to catching criminals in the act. Last time we were not as lucky as it was a smash and grab type of an event. This time the individual may have been lulled into a false sense of security because he did not hear an alarm. He believed he had time on his side, he didn’t know that we have Sonitrol on our side. I’m relieved to know that the burglar was typical and only after cash. We have close to 100 animals to keep safe on any given day, the cash is not our priority. Previously I’d considered adding the Sonavision service from Sonitrol, after last night, I will review the budget again to see how we can upgrade out system with cameras. Thank-you Sonitrol for your efficiency and professionalism in handling this incident.” Denise McVicker, Deputy Director, The Humane Society

By Heather Orso, Sonitrol Pacific Seattle Customer Service Representative
Posted November 19, 2008

On November 15, about 3:30 in the afternoon, Sonitrol Pacific’s Operation Center received an emergency call from the Poulsbo Library elevator phone. A lady was stuck inside and needed help.

Sonitrol Pacific Operator Tara Fulmer received the call. She went to the operator log book to get the name of the location and the phone number she found no listing for the address prerecorded on the elevator phone. Thinking quickly, Tara Googled the address, learned the call was coming from the Poulsbo Library and quickly dispatched the fire department. The fire department arrived on scene and rescued the lady.

When I investigated the incident, I learned this wasn’t a current Sonitrol Pacific monitoring customer. I called the library and discovered they contracted with and paid another company to monitor their elevator for almost five years. This other monitoring company never reprogrammed or tested the phone. Very Scary!

Thank you to Tara for her actions, going above and beyond for this non-customer, City of Poulsbo. She put our Core Values into action.

By Wayne Ohlemeier, Sonitrol Pacific Chief Technical Officer
Posted November 18, 2008

Many businesses we protect seek to save money, consolidate technology, and (in theory) make life easier by switching to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone line.

The Sonitrol Pacific team has aggressively urged everyone to not use VOIP technology for their security system needs. In our experience, security panels would not communicate properly on many occasions, if at all, when using VOIP.

In a nutshell, we tried to avoid VOIP like the plague. However, one provider of VOIP service appears to have created a vaccine.

We have been working very closely with Comcast and their voice product lines. I am happy to announce that Sonitrol panels should be able to communicate properly over the Comcast voice system. I carefully choose the word “should”. Comcast will acknowledge they have equipment in the field which will not work with burglar alarm technology. However, any of this equipment is upgradeable to be compatible with Sonitrol panels.

If you are interested in switching to Comcast, we need to test your Sonitrol system while the Comcast technician is still at your location. If an issue presents itself, we must switch back to a regular phone line until the issue can be resolved.

The use of Comcast voice must be limited to intrusion detection, access control, and residential fire. It cannot be used for commercial fire monitoring of any type. The Comcast service does not currently meet the fire codes for back up of the phone lines should the power fail.

Comcast is not the only provider of VOIP services. We have not, to date, been able to work with any of the other providers. We must continue to recommend that any user of VOIP other than Comcast maintain POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) for all of their security and fire needs.

By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted November 18, 2008

A student at a Utah high school died after begin hit when a gun used in a school play discharged over the weekend. The gun was loaded with blanks, but went off close enough to the student’s head to cause severe injury.

Read the Schoolhouse Beat: The Blog, Deadly Prop post for more details.

By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communication
Posted November 17, 2008

Advice I give everyone considering an alarm system includes, write your goals, do your research, set your budget and ask lots of questions. However, many people I talk to aren’t sure where to start with their research or what questions to ask. While not all encompassing, this list is a great place to start.

Do you provide 100% protection against any entry?

Do you periodically ask your clients to evaluate your performance?

In addition, I encourage people researching security companies to ask for (and follow up on) references and to talk to local police to learn which alarms they trust as accurate.

By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted November 17, 2008

Typical burglar alarm companies have a false alarm rate around 97-99 percent, an unacceptable statistic by any measure. These false alarms expend police and firefighter resources, and cost homeowners time, money and peace of mind.

Security system providers and homeowners must work together to confront this problem and give attention to the three primary causes of false alarms: user error, service or installation errors, and equipment failure. Doing so will decrease the false burglar alarm rate. Take action today to minimize your risk of having a false alarm and put these tips to use.

1. Training
- After you have an alarm system installed, make certain your security provider gives you and your family comprehensive training on how to use the system. A reputable company will be happy to provide you with demonstrations and as much training as you need.
- Ask your security provider for written instructions and take notes during your security system training.
- Train everyone with a key to your home on how to use the system.
- Develop a plan for when a false alarm activation occurs. Rehearse your alarm cancellation procedure with your family.
2. Eliminate possible causes of false alarms
- Give attention to drafts that could move plants, curtains, etc.
- Keep banners, signs, balloons and fans away from motion sensor areas.
- Be aware of wandering pets. Work with your security provider’s sales and installation team to design a system that takes your pet’s activity into account.
- Don’t run in and out of your home after the alarm is set, even if it’s just for a quick second.
- Make sure all doors and window are solid and fit well in their frames.
- Keep motion sensors clean and dusted. A spider web can activate sensors.
3. Communicate with your security system provider
- Choose a security system provider that verifies sensor activations through either audio or video means. Ask your local law enforcement agency to recommend a company that verifies signal activations.
- Keep security system provider phone numbers updated and easy to access.
- Keep your burglar alarm company and their monitoring center updated with information on how to contact you.
- Let your security provider and monitoring center know anytime someone new gets a key to your home.
- Inform your security provider and monitoring center if you do any home remodeling or painting.
- Work with your monitoring center to test your system regularly.
- Schedule an annual preventive maintenance appointment with your security system provider. Technicians need to test your equipment and the back-up batteries. Reputable companies will do this at no charge to you.

False burglar alarms affect everyone. Homeowners, burglar alarm companies and law enforcement officials can work together to reduce the impact of false activations and increase the effectiveness of home security systems. Investing time in selecting the right system, training and maintenance will save you time, money and inconvenience.

By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted November 14, 2008

Sonitrol Pacific will participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Portland again in 2009. This is a powerful event to raise money and awareness in the fight against every kind of cancer.

This year the event will be bigger and better. Scheduled for July 18 and 19 at Willamette Park, Relay For Life of Portland draws participants from people who live or work in Portland’s urban core.

In 2008, our team, the Sonitrol Pacific Super Stars swept the awards and we look to take on all comers this year. It’s not too early for your team to join the fight.

By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted November 12, 2008

Leslie Malik, Customer Service Representative Sonitrol Pacific Portland, received this “raving fan” email from one of our clients.

Hello Leslie,
Just wanted to thank you for the service I have been receiving from you and your company since I have been managing the Jantzen Park Building. Your staff has been very easy and professional to deal with. They have been making my job easy and I appreciate it. I also want to thank you personally for taking the time to make sure that everything done correctly and your willingness to come to the site and handle things personally. I deal with a lot of subcontractors and reps every day and if all of them handled things like you my job would be much easier. So far you and your company has been in the top. Keep up the good work. I expect your company to be at this building for a long time.
Thanks,
Greg Fallgatter
Manager
Jantzen Building

Our Mission is to give clients more than they feel they are paying for. Our entire team works every day to deliver on this promise to every client.

By Pamela Singleton, Director of Communications
Posted November 11, 2008

Congratulations to Sonitrol Pacific Seattle Customer Service Representative Heather Orso on being named Sound Security’s Employee of the Month for October.

by Heather Rosenthal, Sonitrol Pacific Tacoma General Manager
Posted November 7, 2008

It was a dark and stormy night, but I made the trip once again down to Thurston County….

We met at a different location last night for our Thurston County Citizen’s Academy. We ended up over at CapCom - The 911 dispatch center for Thurston County. We started our meeting off with a presentation by a member of the Thurston County Emergency Management Team. They, as well as MedicOne are housed in the same building as the 911 Center. The presentation focused on emergency and disaster preparedness, and programs that are offered to individuals and the community. One takeaway was an Emergency Resource Guide with a lot of really good information I plan to share with my team. After the presentation we got to tour the 911 dispatch center. They dispatch 7 police agencies and 18 fire departments that offer fire protection and tiered emergency response. While I was impressed with their Center, it really wasn’t any nicer than the new one we have in Everett. Their dispatchers reminded me very much of our own, and during the presentation given by the tour guide it sounded like they have the same challenges that we face. There was one thing that really caught my eye though. One of the dispatchers was away from her console on a break, and when she came back instead of sitting down to work again, she raised her desk area - it looked like it was on hydraulics - so she could stand while she was working. Being a former Sonitrol Pacific dispatcher myself, I thought that was one of the coolest things I’d ever seen.

Once again, another very interesting and informative night with the Thurston County folks.