UPDATE:   Sonitrol is almost complete with this reprogramming. If you have missed our phone call, please contact us! We are going to continue to reach out to you to get your system updated!

Did you know that Indiana will be adding another area code – 930 – starting September 6, 2014? With the 812 area code changes, everyone will need to do things a little bit differently.

All the Numbers are Gone

The entire 812 area code has been largely unchanged since 1947. With the addition of cell phones, the available supply of phone numbers has dwindled. According to in.gov, this supply of 812 numbers will run out in 2015. To fix this issue the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission authorized phone carriers in Indiana to start using a 930 area code for all new numbers starting September 6th.

Helpful “Need to Know” Information

In order to make the transition smoothly, here are some things you need to know about how these changes will affect you:

1. If you live in the 812 area, ten-digit dialing will be required for all local calls after September 6th. So instead of using 555-5555 for a local call, you will need to dial 812-555-5555 or 930-555-5555.
2. Customers who currently have an 812 area code will keep their 812 number.
3. When the 812 area code changes on September 6, 2014, everyone receiving a phone number will receive a 930 number. This includes landline and cell phone numbers.
4. According to in.gov, ten-digit dialing will not increase your telephone rates. Calls that are free now will remain free after the transition.
5. If you currently have a residential or commercial security system that communicates over a landline, you may be receiving a call from your local provider to schedule a visit by September 6th. Before the 930 – 812 area code changes, your panel must be properly programmed to communicate with the central station. Security systems that use cellular and/or Internet communications will not be affected.

Preparation for 812 area code changes

Take a little time to prepare for these changes:

• Land lines – All local contacts that are programmed in your speed dial on your landline business phone must be changed to a ten-digit number.
• Cell phones – Review the contacts in your cell phone to confirm they are automatically converting all local numbers to a ten-digit number.
• Friends and Family – Longtime residents who choose not to engage in social media may not be aware of these new dialing requirements.  They may be quite confused and frustrated when they try to use a seven-digit number and receive an automated voice.  Help them to remain in contact with family, friends and important businesses like doctors and pharmacies by reminding them to dial a ten-digit number starting September 6th.

Hopefully, by taking some time and using these tips, we can all avoid the automated voice when the 812 area code changes!

Spending money on a camera system is only useful if you can review the footage the cameras record. Recently several Kentucky businesses who had installed camera systems were burglarized. When the owners attempted to view the recorded footage, they found the digital video recorders (DVR) were removed or destroyed. This deprived the owners and police of all footage that may have been useful in apprehending the burglars.

As technology evolves, so does the knowledge of criminals. Unfortunately, there has yet to be designed a “burglar proof” system. Spoiler alert for burglars: With modern day advancements, police can still catch you! For example, see the footage below:

This burglar in the state of Washington thought he was brilliant. During the night, he broke into a vacant store in a strip mall, and cut through the wall into a major department store. As you can see in the video, he disabled the camera in the office, and proceeded to remove the safe and destroy the DVR. So how was the main office of this department store, located in Maryland, still able to obtain clear recorded footage to provide to the Seattle Police Department?

With Cloud, you’re covered!

Cloud technology provides a trust worthy security solution for businesses and residential customers alike. In the example above, the police were able to distribute a picture from the footage to the local news media. The burglar was arrested a short time later. Advantages of using the Cloud include:

1.  Protection – In the cloud, video footage cannot be destroyed or manipulated.

2.  Cost-Effective – Since Cloud storage is stored off sight, there is no DVR to buy or maintain.  No software updates are required.

3.  Functionality – User friendly, remote access is available with any Wi-Fi connection. Easily view footage on a smart phone, tablet or computer. Download high definition footage to any computer to save or send when necessary.

These remote capabilities also allow business owners to view multiple locations and use the footage to improve day to day operations. Employees that are aware that the owner may look in on them from time to time are more likely to be productive and less likely to “goof off”. And with the ability to save high definition footage employees caught stealing any of your profits will have little defense when there is video proof of wrongdoing.

Though DVRs are still necessary in larger applications like schools and large warehouses, the Cloud should still be included as part of your security solution. As seen in our example above, a technical savvy intruder with knowledge of the building may attempt to destroy or manipulate DVR footage. One camera directed at the DVR, streaming dual footage to the DVR and the Cloud provided the department store with enough footage to help police make an apprehension. The intruder was unaware and unable to erase the cloud footage that was being recorded.

If you are interested in a security solution for your business or home, allow us to provide you with a free assessment.

Residential fires have been the topic of several headlines in the Tri-State area recently. Sadly, these structure fires, ranging from homes to large apartment complexes, have taken several lives.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• 1 in 320 homes per year have reported fire damage in the last five years
• On average, 7 people die each day in the U. S. from fires in home structures
• Half of home fire deaths were caused by incidents reported between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am
• No smoke alarm or non-working smoke alarms were present in 60% of all home fire deaths

ADVANTAGES OF A MONITORED FIRE SYSTEM

Automatic dispatch

Half of home fire fatalities were reported during the night while most of us are sleeping. Imagine being awakened from a deep sleep by your smoke detector. For a moment, there could be utter confusion:

• What’s that sound?
• Where are the children?
• Where is the fire?
• Can I use the closest door to exit the home?

When we finally figure out what the noise is, our next priority is to get our family out safely. The last thing you are worried about is finding a phone. With a monitored system, the central station will dispatch the fire department immediately. This immediate dispatch is even more crucial, if medical assistance is required or the home is located in a rural area!

Cost Effective

NFPA recommends that standard smoke detectors be installed in the kitchen, basement, inside and outside of every room. Because these non-monitored devices are stand alone, the family sleeping upstairs or on the opposite side of the house, may not hear the first alarm. Therefore it is important to have many devices, especially in extended areas like long hallways and outside of bedrooms. However a monitored system is interconnected. Therefore if one device is activated, the whole system will sound. With this inter-communication, the amount of devices necessary to alert occupants, may be reduced compared to the common non-monitored fire devices. If you already have a security system, fire devices including smoke alarms, heat detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can be added for the cost of equipment and monitored for as little as $1 per month. Having a security system also allows you to receive a discount through most insurance companies. You may be surprised at the discount you receive which can offset the monthly cost on a monitored security system.

Equipment Checks

No need to set reminders to change the batteries or test the devices monthly to ensure they are working. Communications on a properly monitored system, will be programmed to test every day. This automatic test will alert the monitoring station of any trouble and initiate a call from your provider to schedule service. Finding the reason behind the problem, whether it is a dead battery or to a completely failed device can be done immediately so that your system continues to work properly.

Our assessments are always free. Contact us to schedule a time to look at your property and provide an estimate.

School will be out soon! Summer will be here and the halls once filled with the voices of children will be silent.

Unfortunately, these silent halls become a prime target for burglars and thieves. Though many law enforcement agencies, step up their patrols during the summer months, they can’t watch all the schools, all the time. Is there a cost effective method to secure school property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Burglary Alarms

Motion detectors and door contacts have been the standard in school security systems for many years. Unfortunately, fax machines, plants or banners hanging from the ceilings and walls, cause the police to respond to many false alarms using these devices. This causes frustration, not only for the police department, but also the users who are called at 2 am to meet the police at the location. For the same cost, motion viewers can be installed to allow a monitoring station to see what caused the alarm, thereby verifying the alarm. And they can be used in varying applications including low light and outdoor locations. Law enforcement can respond knowing a crime is in progress with detailed information like the location of the burglars, description and number of intruders. However, if a bin of basketballs breaks loose during the middle of the night, the trained operators are able to see the motion and determine a false alarm freeing the police to respond to actual emergencies. Panic buttons can also be installed in key areas of the school, to have police dispatched with the simple push of a button and without having to use a phone.

Cloud Cameras

Camera systems have been very valuable assets to the schools who have utilized them. They can see everything from the smallest infraction to the disturbance that required the involvement of law enforcement. Most schools have their own security measures in place. But if an extreme situation occurs, how helpful would it be to allow law enforcement to see inside a building BEFORE they make entry? Using highly secure cloud networks, school officials can now allow law enforcement access to view cameras from a remote location. With live footage and the ability to view recorded footage, law enforcement can be aware of vital details to organize a strategic plan of action.

Access Systems

While the halls may not be as full through the summer months, schools may be used for other activities such as band practice, swim meets or day camp/summer programs. Access cards give staff, faculty and visitors entry to authorized areas — there are no codes to remember. Allow the summer band program access to the band room, but not the gym. Allow the swim team access to the pool area, but not the classrooms. And if one of the access cards goes missing, simply delete the old card and reissue a new card. No re-keying the doors and reissuing keys. Detailed reports can also be scheduled or printed as necessary to the time, user and point of entry.

Find out more about how these fully integrated systems can save you time and money with a free assessment.

When a company invests in a commercial security system, what is the goal?

Obviously to protect the property of the business in the event of a burglary! What if the burglar didn’t have to “break in”? What if an outdoor gate was left unlocked and someone walked right in? Take a look at the following motion viewer footage:

The gate was left unlocked and the would-be thief walked right in the fenced area. Since this was outside, this person could have walked away with a nice chunk of merchandise which could be sold or pawned later. And in most cases, the police would have not been notified until the next day. Even with camera footage of the area, the perpetrator of this crime may never have never been identified. However, in this case, the Evansville Police Department can be seen in the video, securing the area. So what made this company’s commercial security system different?

Verified Video Alarms

1. Continual monitoring – Cameras are a very useful tool in commercial security systems. Business owners are able to record footage and view cameras live on their phone, tablet or iPad. However, a business owner cannot watch his shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A verified system employing motion viewers provide 24 hour monitoring through a central station. They are designed to detect movement and activate to show what caused the movement. If it is an animal, or inanimate object, the alarm can be disregarded. However a true activation can show location, number of intruders and other important details to help law enforcement.
2. Increased police response time – A major misconception about commercial security systems is that police will respond to every alarm within a couple of minutes. While this may be possible if the officer is around the corner and/or not on another call, in most cases the wait will be a little longer. In fact, the average police response time for a conventional commercial security system is 45 minutes. By that time, the burglar is long gone with any property. With a verified security system, operators can see or hear criminal activity in progress. Because of this enhanced verification system, this type of alarm becomes a police priority and they will respond with the possibility of an arrest while the crime is in progress. If fact, the average police response time to a verified alarm is 7 minutes and they will respond to this alarm before a conventional alarm. This 38 minutes can mean the difference between keeping the owners property on-sight and trying to find it later in a recycling center or pawn shop.
3. Economical – HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Of course, it depends on what will be secured. But lets say you wanted the system shown in the video and you were quoted right around $1500.00 for the first year, equipment, installed and monitoring. Sound like a lot? Well let’s look back at the video. Parked outside are several lawn mowers and other merchandise. Riding lawn mowers are pretty expensive. If the 5 lawn mowers were ONLY $500 each, the system would have more than paid for itself by the property remaining in the owners hands. And this owner doesn’t have the hassle of confirming the cost to replace the missing merchandise with an insurance company. And in this particular case, the police were on scene before entry was made into the building, saving the company even more money. Of course, there are variety of variances that need to be accounted for when building your system. Call your provider for an exact cost to install and monitor.

In the end, this owner can rest at ease, knowing his property is safe with a reputable provider, even when his building was not secured properly by his employees. Contact us for a free assessment.

Sonitrol Assists Police in Apprehension
Every 111 Minutes

Since 1977, Sonitrol’s verified audio technology has assisted law enforcement in over 170,000 apprehensions 

Evansville and Muncie IN

– November 6, 2013 — Sonitrol, the security industry’s leader in audio verification technology, has reached a milestone by assisting in its 170,000^th documented apprehension since 1977, when the company began documenting apprehension statistics. Sonitrol’s unprecedented record of success in assisting law enforcement in the apprehension of intruders is attributed to the nearly 50 years of dedication and advancement of the company’s unique, impact-activated, audio intrusion detection technology. Sonitrol provides businesses and homeowners with 100% volumetric wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling protection — monitored and verified in real-time — allowing for a quicker response by law enforcement, and resulting in more apprehensions of potentially criminal trespassers than traditional non-verified alarm systems.

The 170,000 documented apprehensions over the last 36 years – or approximately one apprehension every 111 minutes – is a result of a mutually beneficial relationship between local law enforcement agencies around the country and Sonitrol’s professionally trained operators. As a growing number of municipalities across the country pass Verified Response regulations requiring verification that an intrusion is actually taking place before law enforcement dispatch personnel to the site, the reliability of Sonitrol’s audio intrusion system offers a key advantage over competing traditional intrusion systems. Sonitrol’s ability to verify an intrusion in real time offers unrivaled credibility with local law enforcement.

“False alarms are wasting a lot of officer’s time, but with Sonitrol, we feel more confident responding to a call for one of their alarms,” said Robert Stack, who is a 27 year veteran of law enforcement and currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Police in Lexington, Kentucky. “The audio verification provides us the ability to respond more quickly and tactically to an in-progress break-in.  Any time we have real-time information, it affects how fast an officer responds and how they approach the situation. And, as far as officer safety is concerned, it makes a huge difference.”

Properties protected by Sonitrol’s unique impact-activated audio verification technology are remotely monitored around-the-clock by operators from one of the company’s 26 central monitoring stations throughout the United States and Canada. In the event a possible intrusion is detected, one of Sonitrol’s highly trained operators automatically receives the live audio feed from the protected facility, which is used to identify, verify and respond to the potential alarm. If the operator identifies the sounds as an actual break-in, only then is local law enforcement enlisted to respond to the alarm. The process of audio verification allows local law enforcement to efficiently strategize their response and maximize their resources, while saving the customer from unnecessary false alarm fines.

“Sonitrol is extremely proud of its track record, and we think the apprehension statistics speak for themselves,” said Vice President and General manager, Sam Standring. “It’s one thing to have video surveillance and remote monitoring on your phone or tablet, and we do that, but with Sonitrol you have a live, professionally trained operator monitoring your facility 24-7, ready to listen-in when your system is armed.

“If all that’s on the other end is an employee who needs to access a facility after-hours, we’ll know. If it’s a stray dog barking, or some other benign disturbance, we’ll know. But, if there’s someone trying to break into a Sonitrol protected property, we’ll know, and we’ll let local law enforcement know, and together we’ll catch whoever it is. With Sonitrol, there’s always someone listening for you, so you can have that peace of mind. If you have Sonitrol, your walls have ears,” stated Standring.

Sonitrol has been on the frontier of audio verification in security systems since 1964. Started in Anderson, Indiana, when founder Robert Baxter’s local pest extermination business discovered a new application for his invention that pin-pointed the exact location of termites in walls. The acoustic device was so accurate and effective that Baxter realized he could do more than just locate insects — he could also catch criminals.

About Sonitrol of Evansville and Muncie

Sonitrol Verified Electronic Security provides businesses with a single source of integrated, state-of-the-art security solutions for intrusion, video, access and fire, all backed with professional monitoring by experienced, trained personnel. Sonitrol’s ability to verify an intrusion in real time offers unrivaled credibility with local law enforcement, and is a key advantage, as a growing number of municipalities pass Verified Response regulations requiring verification that an intrusion is actually taking place before police dispatch personnel to the site. Sonitrol has the best apprehension rate in the industry, at over 170,000 —and the fewest dispatches for false alarms. Sonitrol offers integrated components to customize a solution that can expand easily with the growth of customers’ needs. Sonitrol’s trusted technology and responsive service provides peace of mind and a measure of quality that is unmatched in the industry.

Sonitrol is available throughout the United States, Canada and the UK.

Long gone are the days of the rotary phone, dial up internet and skimming through a tape recorder to find the song you want. Now we can connect with someone across the world, not only by phone, but live video chat with them instantly. In a world where instant contact is now the norm, it would only reason that security systems should be as fast or faster.

Instant emergency notification in commercial applications is not new. You may have seen these devices used on TV or in movies when a bank teller presses the button to alert the police of a robbery. But these handy devices can be used in many other applications:

Commercial Security

Businesses that handle money or have any valuables worth stealing may be vulnerable to an armed robbery; especially if the business is open after hours or located on a side street that is not well lit. If an armed robber enters your business, your employees should have the ability to summon law enforcement immediately. By pressing a panic button located in easily accessible area law enforcement can be instantly dispatched. This affordable solution is great for convenience stores, hospitals, business offices or anywhere you many need to quickly and discreetly summon the aid of law enforcement.

Home Security

Did you know that most burglaries occur during the day between the hours of 9 am and 4:30 pm? Most criminals will try to avoid a house if they think someone is home. But if a family member is inside the home when a criminal enters, this could become a dangerous situation. So how can you call for help safely and discreetly? Put a panic button in a closet or other hiding place. When pressed, police are immediately dispatched to your residence. Add the optional audio and when the panic button is pressed, operators can hear inside the home and give law enforcement, location and other important information to apprehend the criminal.

Schools Security

Schools today are shouldered with the responsibility of securing our children for most of the day. If someone enters a school with the intentions of harming students or staff, schools should have a convenient plan to not only alert authorities, but to secure the the school. Imagine being able to lock down the school while requesting dispatch of authorities with just the press of a button. Many schools today have opted to install audio panic buttons and strobe lights through-out their campuses. Audio panic buttons are placed in key locations through-out the school and strobe lights are installed in every classroom. When a panic button is pressed, the strobe lights alert staff to lock down the school. Central Station operators, not only receive an alarm, but also hear live audio feed so they can relay important life saving information to law enforcement. Many times this affordable preventative measure can be conveniently tied to your school security and fire systems.

Security systems are constantly changing with today’s technology. If we can answer a question for you regarding your current system or installing a new system in your business or home, please feel free to contact us.