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Sounding Board
Security news you can use
Winter 2010
Protecting at Risk Employees
 Bradley Angle House, a Sonitrol Pacific client, offers advice and tips for helping employees at risk of partner abuse.
Since November, we’ve seen six domestic violence related murder/suicides result in 17 deaths in the Portland Metro area. In the wake of theses tragedies it’s more important than ever to speak out about domestic violence in our communities and come together to support organizations that promote safety, empowerment, healing, and hope.
We know domestic violence adversely affects the workplace—the estimated costs of intimate partner violence in the United States each year total over $5.8 billion. Statistically, 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in her lifetime and the odds are someone you work with, someone you employ, or someone who supports your business is dealing with the fear, secrecy, and shame that survivors of domestic violence face every day.
Partner abuse in the workplace often involves harassment, stalking, threats and other acts of intimidation that can and do often end in workplace violence.
Here are 10 things you can do to help survivors of domestic violence, both in and outside your workplace.
1. If someone confides in you about an abusive relationship, tell them it’s not their fault, that they don’t deserve it, and that you believe them.
2. Ask the victim what changes could be made to make her/him feel safer at work. Remember, the victim knows the perpetrator better than anyone else.
3. Ask the victim if he/she would feel comfortable talking to the supervisor or designated staff person (e.g., employee assistance manager, human resource manager, security supervisor, owner, etc.) about making a safety plan, which might include keeping a recent photograph of the perpetrator on site.
4. Encourage her/him to save any threatening e-mail or voice-mail messages. These can potentially be used for future legal action, or can serve as evidence that an existing restraining order was violated.
5. Ask yourself these questions:
• Is her/his workstation away from public access, stairs, and elevators?
• If not, can it be moved?
• Can barriers be placed between the entrance and the victim's workstation?
• Can she/he be given priority parking near the building and a security escort from her car?
• Can someone walk with her/him to her/his car or public transit stop?
• Are there any car pools in his/her residential area?
6. Make sure the employee knows about your workplace domestic violence policy and how to report any incident. If you don’t have one, reach out to local agencies who can help you establish one that will keep your employees safe.
7. Keep brochures, crisis line numbers, and resource guides throughout the building where they are easily visible and frequently seen. Bathrooms, break rooms, and HR offices are great options.
8. If a risk of danger is imminent or in progress to the workplace environment or employees, call 911 and/or company security immediately.
9. Give generously to domestic violence agencies, like Bradley Angle. Just $50 provides one family with a night of emergency shelter.
10. It is only by speaking out about domestic violence to our friends, our families, and the people we work with that we let our communities know that abuse is not something that we are willing to tolerate. We will not be silenced.
For more information about domestic violence and how you can speak out, take a stand, and get involved, contact Bradley Angle, visit www.bradleyangle.org or call 503-232-1528.
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Lakewood Officers Remembered
 The Sonitrol Pacific family joins the Pierce County community in mourning the loss of four Lakewood Police officers gunned down on Nov. 29 at an area coffee shop.
Like many people, we wanted to know what we could do to help and Lauren Wallin, crime analyst from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, recommended donating to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild’s fund for the children of the fallen officers. If you want to contribute too, these donations can be made at www.lpig.us , or through any Columbia Bank (Lakewood Police Benevolent Fund) or Bank of America (Fallen Lakewood Officers Fund). Checks can be made out to Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund at PO Box 99575 Lakewood WA 98496.
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Q3 Crime Stoppers Donation
During the third quarter of 2009, Sonitrol Pacific detections led to the apprehension of 63 suspected criminals in 27 separate incidents. To recognize the law enforcement officers and dispatchers involved in these arrests, Sonitrol Pacific donated $100 for each incident to Crime Stoppers organizations in the Northwest.
• $500 donated to Crime Stoppers of Oregon
• $1,000 donated to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound
• $1,200 donated to Tacoma/Pierce County Crime Stoppers
Sonitrol Pacific loves to catch criminals and supports organizations in our communities with similar crime prevention goals.
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2009 Apprehension Record
It's been a busy year at Sonitrol Pacific for catching bad guys in the act. Check out our 2009 record.
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5 Minutes, 2 Alarms, 1 Operator
 Operator Bricia Mejia proved her monitoring mettle when she received panic/hold-up alarms minutes apart from two different customers and dispatched police December 4.
At 4:42 pm, the panic button activated at Multicare Lakewood Urgent Care; Mejia immediately dispatched Lakewood Police. Officers arrived on scene in two minutes and arrested a man threatening the employees and patients.
At 4:46 pm, Mejia received a hold-up alarm from Community 1st Credit Union and called Tacoma Police. Once again, officers were on scene in minutes.
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K9 Cops Donation
Through our “Season of Sharing” program, the Anderson-Hatcher family presented a $500 donation to the Marysville Police Department K9 Training Unit during a ceremony December 4 at the police station.
After Marysville police caught two burglars at the Anderson-Hatcher home due to Sonitrol Pacific security monitored by Operator Jeff LaMont, the family encouraged neighbors to choose Sonitrol Pacific too. To say “thanks”, we donated $500 to the K9 training unit in the family’s name.
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Meeting our Mission: Delivering the highest level of security for dollar invested
Sonitrol Pacific’s Mission is "to provide our customers with the highest level of security for their dollar invested and to provide our customers with more than they feel they are paying for" and we take that commitment very seriously.
Are we exceeding your expectations? How are we falling short? What can we do to support you, your employees, and your business achieve the highest level of security?
You can email a Board member directly from the “Corporate Officers ” page or call your local Sonitrol Pacific office and ask to speak with your branch manager.
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 Intrusion News: Alert in a crisis
Protecting vulnerable employees during regular business hours requires a different tactic than protecting a facility and items inside it after hours. The best way to do this depends on many different factors and it’s important to work with a security expert to design custom security that meets specific needs. An emergency alert alarm or panic button plays a role in many organizations’ total security plan. These alarms deliver an added layer of protection to employees during regular business hours.
The panic button alarms give people a way to instantly alert our monitoring center in emergency situations. For example, December 4,the parent of a patient at a health clinic became verbally abusive and threatening towards clinic staff. An employee activated the panic button and Operator Bricia Mejia had police there in two minutes to arrest the man.
We install these alarms under a counter or in a hidden, but easily accessed place. When facing an emergency or threatening situation, the employee activates the alarm and our operators immediately send police. Once officers are dispatched, the operator monitors live audio at the business, activated when the panic button was pushed, to keep police informed of what is happening. This lets police know if they’re responding to a robbery in progress, an threatening customer, or a case of partner violence or stalking.
While financial institutions are most commonly associated with emergency alarms, these alerts deliver a higher level of security for any organization that stays open the public like stores, churches and business offices.
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 Access Control: Manage facility traffic for safer employees
Access control systems are one of the most effective ways to
increase employee security by controlling who has access to what part
of your building and when.
For maximum safety of people and security of property, we recommend
businesses without walk-in customers keep doors locked during business
hours and we have solutions to do this without impeding business.
A Sonitrol Pacific managed access system delivers:
· Enhanced control over entrances and improved security. Access control gives receptionists serving as gatekeepers additional security when confronted with potentially threatening visitors.
· Increased level of security awareness among all employees.
· Managed entry to controlled areas within the building.
· Increased protection for all by preventing entry of non-authorized personnel.
· Prevention of unauthorized duplication of keys and/or codes.
· Management "audit trail" to identify who entered the building at what time.
Sonitrol Pacific managed access control helps you protect at risk employees or employees working in high risk areas in a simple, cost-effective way.
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 Eye on SonaVision: Emergency eyes and ears 
Sonitrol Pacific’s monitored security video can augment your emergency alert alarm/panic button by being programmed to activate when the panic is pressed. This allows our operators to see what is happening in emergency situations, as well as hear it.
During these crisis events, immediate access to information is key. Emergency responders gain valuable intelligence when they have the eyes and ears of our expert operators on scene. Police enter knowing the number of assailants, where they are within the facility, the type of weapons they have, and the threats and demands being made.
After the suspect is in custody and the crisis diffused, the Sonitrol Pacific video images and audio recordings can serve as evidence in prosecution. This becomes particularly helpful with incidents of stalking and/or partner violence when behavior can be more difficult to prove.
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 Fire Watch: Home fire safety tips
January ranks as the peak month for house fires according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These tips can help you protect your family and home.
• Operation: Detection. Install (at least) one smoke and carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home.
• Plan your escape. Establish an emergency plan for the home and make certain everyone knows it. Hold fire drills and practice using emergency escape routes.
• Cooking with caution. Never leave food unattended when frying, grilling or broiling; check food regularly when baking, boiling, roasting or simmering. Keep your stovetop and oven clean and free of any flammable items (cardboard packaging, wooden spoons, oven mitts, etc.).
• Post winterization or home security check up sweep. After making changes to your home’s energy efficiency or home security measures, complete a final sweep to ensure points of exit are free from obstruction.
• Fireplace/woodstove safety. Have your chimney/woodstove inspected annually by an expert. Burn only seasoned hardwood; avoid burning wet, soft woods and cardboard/trash.
• Candle discretion. Candles are the culprit in more than 50 percent of home fires. Place candles in solid holders that can’t be knocked over or easily reached by pets or children. Never leave candles unattended.
• Join the safety circuit. Routinely check electrical appliances and wiring. Immediately replaced damaged or worn wires.
For more tips, visit www.usfa.fema.gov .
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GS2: Good stuff, squared
 Through our GS2 referral program, when you refer a new client to Sonitrol Pacific and we’ll donate $100 in your name to the charity of your choice and give you $100.
To refer someone, click the “Refer a Friend” button in the right column and complete the information fields, or call your Sonitrol Pacific Security Consultant or Customer Service Representative at 1.800.898.1899.
Once your referral signs an agreement for services with Sonitrol Pacific, we’ll make the $100 donation and give you $100. It’s good stuff, squared.
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Employees of the Month
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Mattie MacKenzie
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Robin Goings
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Kari Greene
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Mattie MacKenzie, Robin Goings and Kari Greene were named the Sound Security Employees of the Month for September, October and November, respectively.
Mattie, Payroll Specialist, earned the award due to her persistence and hard work, upbeat and responsive attitude, regular offers to help team members, and all the Sound Security Jazz she exudes each day.
Robin, Operator, was chosen to recognize his performance monitoring accounts in the Operations Center, his rapport with clients and teammates, and his enthusiastic promotion of Sonitrol Pacific’s Mission and Core Values.
“The Buffer,” “Devil’s Advocate,” and “Bird Dogger” are just a few of the titles Kari’s earned on top of her official title as Service Coordinator. She facilitates communication between operators and technicians, delivers excellent customer service, and keeps things fun. To give her another title, the Board named her November Employee of the Month.
To nominate a member of our team for recognition, call your local Sonitrol Pacific office and speak with the branch manager or email a member of the Board directly from the “Corporate Officers ” page.
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Our Commitment to Service: Our promise to you
We schedule regular, on-site meetings with our clients to ensure all your needs are being met and all your questions are answered.
Did you miss the last meeting with your Customer Service Representative? Call today to schedule a review of your systems and services. Our priority is your satisfaction and complete security. See you soon!
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