formerly the ABFAA Founded August 1978 Current Charter Chapter of ESA formerly NBFAA AzAA Mission: To promote the highest level of ethics and professionalism in the Security and Electronic Systems Community. Arizona Alarm Association

Who are our members? Alarm Companies 42 member companies Associate Members 11 member companies Police / Sheriff Departments Honorary members Currently approx 17 participate

What is an Alarm Company? Traditional Alarm Company They install and service Alarm Systems, either / or burglar or fire alarm systems for homes and businesses. They may monitor their own accounts or subcontract the monitoring. Installation only Company They install the systems and sell the monitoring contract to another company (ADT, Broadview, etc). They may or may not be responsible for the service of the account.

What is an Alarm Company? 3 rd Party Monitoring Station This is a sub contractor. They contract with installing alarm companies to do the monitoring for them, as them. They do not have direct contracts with the subscribers Company that buys contracts This company may or may not install their own systems. They do buy contracts from other installing companies and monitor directly for the end user. They may or may not have service people in the area. Many times they sub contract the service.

Committees Membership Legislation Education Annual Convention

Public Safety Committee First started June 1989 Goals and Objectives Establish a dialog between our groups Maintain an ongoing level of communication Current Chairperson is Robert Schubert, Gilbert PD Alarm Coordinator Meetings Currently we meet every other month, right after the regular membership meeting. Representatives from the different Departments throughout AZ are welcome, as well as Alarm Company Members.

Working Together Open Communications We will work with you on your worst offenders and identification of contacts from different alarm companies Assist with ordinances When it is time to rewrite your ordinances we will participate with you on suggestions, best practices, and share proven successes Then when we will support you when it is time to go to City Council. False Alarm Schools We will provide volunteers to teach the classes with you. To provide the technical portion and answer questions.

Working Together Problem Accounts Whether it is a dealer or actual subscriber we will work with you to make contact & get their attention to respond to your needs. Monthly Membership meetings Our Association holds monthly meetings with guest speakers. All Departments are welcome to attend. Annual Convention Formerly known as Public Safety Days. Sessions scheduled specifically for you based upon feed back

Annual Convention September 29-30, 2010 Sessions designed for you Alarm Requirements Open discussion between the depts and the industry to discuss current issues. Alarm Ordinances - what works and what doesn’t. Panel discussion, Panel members from Phx PD, Gilbert PD and SIAC Alarm Ordinance Enforcement 3 rd Party Billing for False Alarms Monitoring Updates Other Sessions Equipment training Statewide Alarm Licensing

Alarm Business / Agent Licensing Currently there are 19 cities requiring an Alarm Business / Agent License Statewide Alarm Business / Agent Licensing HB-2446 this session Next session

SIAC Security Industry Alarm Coalition Funded by the Industry to work with the Police Departments at no cost to them Successes 1 of the members is a retired Police Chief. 1 member is retired Law Enforcement.

False Alarms Who is to blame Alarm Companies? Equipment? Alarm Users? Who should be responsible Alarm Companies? Alarm Users? Biggest offenders Teeth in your ordinance

False Alarms Cont’d Why do you need an ordinance and enforcement? Shouldn’t the alarm companies just do these things? Liabilities Individuality Subscribers wants What is the best way to create your ordinance? Teamwork, the industry, end users, and police dept. Do you use Alarm Schools? How many “free or no charge?”

Verified Response What are the different types of Verified Response? Only responding if someone has physically verified there is an issue at the location “true definition” Cross zone verification – only responding if 2 different zones are received Enhanced Call Verification - a phone call must be made to the location and then a 2 nd phone number off site. Who benefits from Verified Response? The Police Dept? The burglars? The end user?

Verified Response Who is hurt by Verified Response? Every customer who has an alarm If you are a responsible user you are punished for those who are not responsible You are making the residents respond themselves or pay for a guard. Those who do not have an alarm Alarms bring the Police to their neighbor hoods. In Verified Response the police are more visible in their neighborhood. Is there a time where “true” Verified Response is useful and necessary?

Alternatives to Verified Response ECV – Enhanced Call Verification One of the most effective uses Proven to reduce false alarms by upto 65% Requires the Alarm Company to call the premise and one other off site phone number to verify before calling for authorities Responsibility Hold the proper person/people responsible Penalizing the worst offenders Set a number for false alarms to then enforce true verified response whatever number you feel is reasonable.

PROVEN SUCCESS Sparks, NV Marrietta, GA Olympia, WA

Subscriber Permitting If you do not know how many alarms you have you cannot really judge false alarms. Subscriber Permits Consider rewarding good behavior – no charge for renewal if no false alarms Include checklist for Alarm Companies to submit like Phoenix does Makes Alarm Company and user more responsible

Enforcement of Ordinance Alarm Coordinator Do you need one? Can you share this responsibility between officers Cutbacks Budget 3 rd Party Administrator Financial Bottom line there is a financial gain to responding to alarms. City of Phoenix is proof that the system works if handled properly.

3 rd Party Administrators Separate Companies We have a list that for anyone interested. How they work They follow your ordinance You provide the information and they do the work. What they do Access fines and permits Collect fees Pay you back a percentage of what is collected.

Bottom Line?? We all work for the same “customer” The end user! We need to work together In your individual community and as a group. Alarms Are Not going away False Alarms are not going away But they can get better!

Questions? Arizona Alarm Association 2158 N. Gilbert Road, #116 Mesa, AZ