Sonitrol of Evansville and our employees would like to give a special “shout out” to all of our law enforcement, fire department, and military personnel.
Alarm monitoring service helps customer prevent major damages
Tuesday – August 27th 7:20pm – Operators received an alarm at a business location that the power to the security system was down. The owners were called and advised our operator that they were out of town, but sent someone to check on it. Follow up with the customer revealed that a fire in the bathroom, possibly caused by a short in the wiring to the water heater, caused the power failure to the system. The water heater burst putting out the fire causing smoke damage to the location. Customer is will be adding fire coverage to this part of the building. Customer was able to turn off water to prevent further damage.
A good alarm monitoring service is more than just watching for a burglar alarm. It’s operators, reviewing your system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure there are no problems. It’s peace of mind, knowing that these trained people are there, even when you are not. Do you have questions regarding functionality of a security system on your property? Contact us for a free assessment.
Foresight is less expensive then hindsight.
Apprehension – Business security system prevents major loss
1:58 am – Wohlsen Construction
Sonitrol operators received a video alarm showing someone on the south side of the building. Law enforcement was immediately dispatched. Operators receive another alarm from inside the building and informed the police department. Police said no troopers would have been on the interior cameras. Troopers were able to apprehend one suspect with bolt cutters and other tools to break into the building.
Thank you to our wonderful law enforcement for protecting our communities.
By using a verified system, law enforcement was able to quickly locate the suspect and apprehend him before he left the location with the owners valuables. Though there is still the pain and headache of replacing the lock that was cut, and maybe a door, the property of the business is still in the hands of the owners. This system was installed less than a month ago, and it has already paid off.
If you have been pondering a business security system, give us a call for a free assessment.
Foresight is less expensive then hindsight!
MegaDeth Mickey Mouse – Pros and Cons of apps as security solutions
The other day I downloaded a TV remote app on my phone! “So cool”, I thought. I was ready to never again look for the TV remotes that my one year old babies purposely hide from me! I waited while the 24.07 MB app loaded on my phone. Okay, it turns the TV on, a little slow, but maybe because I was to far away. Maybe I was fat fingering the “volume up” button when I was pushing it because it wasn’t doing anything. Then all of the sudden there was no delay! 40 decibels later and a sprint across the family room like Usian Bolt, I was finally able to silence the MegaDeth stereo version of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Needless to say, I will continue to look for the remotes…
The latest and greatest idea in home security is smartphone apps. It seems like everyone is on board the “app train” to sell you a security system. But do these apps work? Are they for you?
Upside
Having an app on your cell phone can be very convenient:
- You can check your app to make sure your children armed your security system when they left the house.
- Unlock your door for that out-of-town relative that just showed up.
- When you are on vacation, turn your lights on and off to make it appear as though someone is home.
- Adjust the temperature in your home.
- View cameras to check on things while you are at work or away.
Having all this at your finger tips can be very convenient to say the least.
Not-so-upside
Just remember, these are apps. They can “time out” on you or be very slow due to network communications which are out of the hands of alarm companies. If you are one of those people that wants to be in the ultimate “no people zone” when you go on vacation, an app on your phone may not be for you. Apps require cell phone communication and WiFi service to use your remote capabilities. And usually there is a delay when using any of these functions. So while you may tell the person on the phone that you have disarmed your system and unlocked your door, they may have to wait just a couple minutes before entering. Do not get in the habit of relying solely on your app.
The best recommendation – if you are leaving on vacation, make sure you put your house on “vacation mode”. Download our free Home Security Checklist for tips on securing your home while you are away.
In the end, find a trusted provider that will not just sell you something, but provide security solutions. Security systems should be designed to fit the user, not a price tag or a commission. Talk to them and show them your needs and how you intend to use your system. A good assessment will discourage you from purchasing something unnecessary or something that will not be useful to you.
And always remember:
Foresight is less expensive than hindsight.
E.D.I.T.H. by Doc Standring – Fire and safety in your home
For Flashback Friday…..From the archives of Sonitrol of Evansville – fire and safety tips:
Before the days of social media, customers would receive hand-typed letters as delivered by the United States Postal Service. I would like to share one of these letters, written by our very own Doc Standring:
Foresight is less expensive (and safer) than hindsight. Please take the time to implement some of these tips in your home.
If you are interested in further security solutions for your home, please contact us…
Apprehension – Home security monitoring helps new customers!
Foresight is less expensive (and safer) than hindsight…
Saturday, August 17th – Sonitrol technicians complete the install of a residential intrusion system in Winslow, Indiana
Thursday, August 21st – At 1:37 am, Sonitrol operators received a panic alarm at the new Winslow address. Police are immediately dispatched. Using the call list, operators contact the woman of the house. She stated someone was banging on their door. Police arrived and arrested the suspect. Homeowners were told by law enforcement, that the suspect had threatened to kill someone with a 9mm gun earlier that night. He came to the house, drunk, thinking it was somebody else’s home.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE RESPONDING DEPUTY FROM THE PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT!!!
Home security monitoring, gave these home owners a direct line to law enforcement for a quick response. With a press of a button, help was on the way.
- No need to find a phone.
- No need to call 911
- Never wait on the line to be connected to the proper responding law enforcement in your area.
Whether it be the city police department, state police or the sheriff’s department, Sonitrol operators have the direct numbers to dispatch law enforcement in your area, saving precious minutes. Thanks to our law enforcement’s quick response time, the suspect above never entered the home! Conventional do-it-yourself systems cannot offer this kind of security.
If you have been thinking about home security monitoring, contact us.
4 economical ways to invest in church security
This summer:
- A tri-state area church camp fell victim to a break-in. The criminals took appliances, including a double door refrigerator and kitchen utensils.
- A mentally disturbed man walked into a Henderson KY private school, screaming and was finally removed by police
- Vandals spray painted a church in downtown Evansville several times causing extra work and costs to the church.
It is a sad sign of the times that even our religious communities fall victim to this type of crime. Unfortunately, the peaceful nature of these worship centers, offer crooks an easy target for a burglary!
SECURITY SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CHURCH
Protecting your buildings
When a burglary occurs, the loss to the church is not only a huge financial hardship, but emotionally stressful for the volunteers who work so hard to provide a safe, beautiful environment for parishioners and attendees. Many churches are not staffed all day. Most churches are empty at night. Having a monitored intrusion system protects your church from would-be thieves when your building is empty. A monthly fee is a small price to pay in preventing damages and loss that may include numerous amounts of irreplaceable memorabilia!
Access systems – beneficial to your church?
Have you ever had to track down that former member that still has a key? Can you confirm beyond a shadow of doubt that there are no unauthorized duplicate keys to your church floating around in the community? Do you have a daycare or a school in the church? An access system or “key less entry” may be the solution to all these problems. Consider these benefits:
- Limit the access to your building
- Eliminate the cost of re-keying or changing locks
- Allow only authorized access to critical areas
- Integrates with your security system for arming and disarming
- Online access allows for easy activation and deactivation of a key fob or access card.
- Build activity reports to show details including, who, time and location of each entry.
- Create schedules to allow users into the building on specified days and hours.
Cameras
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. IP cameras provide a deterrent to criminals because they know they will be caught on video. Powerful new technology offers users:
- The ability to log into a secured account on a computer or smart phone from a remote location to instantly view live footage.
- DVR equipment that can record clear detailed footage to give to law enforcement when necessary.
- Verified video monitoring which improves the ability to potentially catch criminals before they leave with church property.
Fire Systems
Facilities in Indiana, Kentucky or Illinois are mandated by law to have specific fire equipment depending on occupancy. Though the laws in each state differ slightly, one thing is certain: Fire codes are a very serious matter! Safety of everyone in the building is the highest priority. A fire marshal can shut down a facility without warning until all safety violations are resolved. Stiff fines can also be imposed on a violating facility. To be sure that your facility has the proper fire equipment and monitoring requirements, check with your local fire marshal.
Remember, foresight is less expensive than hindsight!
Security Solutions start with removing opportunity
Crime kept our Evansville Police Department extra busy this past weekend:
- 5 residential burglaries
- 1 business burglary
- 10 theft from vehicle and parts
- 2 robberies
- 7 vandalism to vehicles
For locations of crime incidents, click on Evansville Police Department’ s Crime Analysis Map:
Taking opportunity out of the equation
Bad guy + opportunity = Loss of your property
Unfortunately, we cannot take all the bad guys out of the equation. But by following some simple security solutions, you can take the opportunity out of the equation.
See our Home Security Checklist below:
Vehicles
- An unlocked vehicle is an open invitation. Lock your car even if you are making a quick stop at a convenience store.
- Close your car windows, thieves have tools to unlock your car through an open window.
- Do not leave valuables visible in the car. Take them in with you or lock them in your trunk.
Be safe out there and remember:
Foresight is less expensive than hindsight!
Home burglary? NOT IN MY HOUSE!
NO NO NO
The children are back in school. Your house is empty and there is a peaceful quiet in the house during the day…
Did you know that most burglaries happen between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm? The fact of the matter is, a burglar will choose the easiest target possible. Don’t make your home a target for a home burglary!
Take the time to walk around your house. How many of the below tips are true in your home?
Home
- All exterior doors are solid core doors with heavy duty dead bolts
- Sliding glass doors locked by placing a pole or board in the floor track to prevent the door from being lifted off the track
- All windows have adequate primary and secondary locking mechanisms in good operating condition
- Your house address numbers are clearly visible from the street for emergency responders to see
- All entrances to your home are illuminated with bright lights
- Expensive items (computers, TVs, etc.) are not easily visible from your windows
Yard
- Trees or shrubs do not obscure the view of your doors or windows from the street
- Bushes & shrubs trimmed to eliminate areas where an intruder could hide
- All outdoor storage sheds, pool house, or other exterior buildings are kept securely locked when not in use
- There are no unsecured ladders by your house
- Garage doors are kept closed and locked
- Your vehicles are kept locked when in the driveway
Safety
- Close and lock your doors and windows each time before you leave home
- Turn your security system on every time you leave home
- When you’re home is not occupied in the evening, use lights that are controlled by timers
- All members of your household know what to do in case of a fire or emergency
- Arrange for a friend or neighbor to come by and check on your home when you are away
- Have a current inventory of the valuables inside your home, including makes, models, serial numbers, and photographs
- When possible, permanently label your valuable items like jewelry
- Remove all extra hidden keys and give one to a trusted neighbor or friend
- Your home is equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
When it come to your home’s security, “Foresight is better then hindsight”!
5 Diamond Central Station – Educating for better Security Solutions
Security Solutions start with education!
The heart of any security company is their central operating station. Day in and day out, operators watch, waiting for an alarm to alert them of possible danger. These people are the first line of defense in the private sector of emergency response. They are also the brains of the operation. They must determine the scale of an alarm, whether or not it is false and provide law enforcement with accurate, detailed information. These watchful “warriors” typically go unnoticed until a life saving alarm occurs.
Because of their importance, these people should be meticulously trained. They must dispatch the proper responding branch of law enforcement, use customer provided information to alert the dispatch of authorities and follow-up to ensure the safety of everyone involved. In order to further their training, Sonitrol of Evansville has achieved certification as a Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) Five Diamond Member.
What is CSAA Five Diamond Certification?
In order to obtain “Five Diamond Certification”, 100% of the central station operators must pass the CSAA Central Station Operator Training course. This course covers virtually all phases of central station communications with customers, law enforcement, fire and emergency services communications centers. Each and every operator must have passed the course and demonstrate:
- Proficiency in alarm verification;
- Proficiency in communications with the Public Service Answering Points, such as the Emergency 911 centers;
- Knowledge of electronic communications equipment, including radio;
- An understanding of the codes and standards of such organizations as Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual, Nation Fire Protection Association and others; and
- Proficiency in the area of emergency preparedness under a wide scenario of possibilities.
Certification also requires companies to maintain and continually upgrade operator performance levels through education. Only 150 of the approximately 2,700 central stations operating today have been able to achieve a 5 Diamond Certification due to the high standards set by the CSAA for operations in central stations.
How does this certification benefit the owner of a security system?
We can all agree that greater education in any business is a beneficial and an invaluable commodity. Technology is constantly changing, and can therefore instantly change system communications. CSAA members stay updated to improve and constantly update equipment to stay current with every potential change in technology. CSAA also maintains an open communication with government agencies to stay updated on all regulatory and legislative changes to the security industry and alerts its members immediately so as to stay in compliance without disruption of service to customers.
This elite group of members work together to maintain excellence for our customers through networking and brainstorming. If you are interested in more information on our CSAA 5 Diamond Central Station, please contact us.
