Counter an alarming trend
Kerry Goodwin
Kerry Goodwin, Sonitrol Pacific Puget Sound Director of Schools, presented a program at the recent Washington Association of Maintenance and Operations Administrators (WAMOA) fall conference to help inform members of new and proven technologies to keep ahead of verified response and enhanced call verification ordinances.
At a time of shrinking budgets and scarce police resources, these alarm codes are growing in popularity as an answer to the high cost of false burglar alarms. By being proactive, schools and organizations can be part of the false burglar alarm solution.
Traditional crime detection technology is a big part of the problem. In the article, SIAC Looks to Adopt New Options & a Broader Message to Law Enforcement, security “industry leaders” acknowledge the false alarms caused by motion sensors. It identifies the need to consider utilizing technology and designing systems that “confirm” or verify alarms before dispatching. This is something Sonitrol Pacific has emphasized for more than 30 years.
Goodwin worked with members of the Sonitrol Pacific team to create this program specifically for the WAMOA audience, but we recognize it offers valuable information and would be happy to share it with more people in the community. If you would like to have a member of the Sonitrol Pacific team explain these tactics with your association or networking group, just call and we’ll connect you with an expert.
3 months, 44 incidents, 127 suspects
The 2011 Pacific Northwest summer may have been cool, but the apprehensions were hot.
The warm summer weather was slow in coming this year and didn’t last long, but the apprehensions due to Sonitrol Pacific detections were hot and heavy.
From late May through the end of August, 127 suspected trespassers, burglars and vandals were caught after a Sonitrol Pacific security system detected the threat and a member of our team called proper authorities. Of these, 46 percent were caught while still outside the school facility.
Sonitrol Pacific’s security systems are designed for the earliest possible detection of threats. This allows police to be on scene quickly and catch suspects, saving schools money and losses.
Several types of offenders comprise the 127:
Trespassers: 47%; Burglars: 27%; Vandals: 23%; Other: 2%
One highly publicized incident took place in August at West Linn’s Bolton Primary School. Sonitrol Pacific detected a threat and police arrested a woman suspected of trying to steal approximately $50,000 in electronics. For complete details, visit our blog.
Accessing more secure results
Only 18 percent of colleges report using their access control systems effectively according to a recent study completed by Ingersoll Rand. Sound familiar? The Sonitrol Pacific team can help. Talk to us today about how to increase the effective use of a facility access system and save scarce budget dollars.
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