Some of us are lobbying to abolish traditional permits and registration of remote monitored, residential and commercial property alarm systems. Just the alarm sites, not to include the security providers. Historically, such questionable documentation of private alarm sites has served little or no purpose for law enforcement, or the citizen alarm site, other than a source of revenue for the muni. We now know that most AHJ do not, or cannot, adequately enforce the requirement, as evidenced by the low percent of permits vs. installed systems; and the very low revenue collection rate; and the very costly administration; and the privacy issues; and the nasty liability issues. We also know most AHJ have already lowered the priority for most alarm response, to a level similar to “nuisance” alarms, ie slow or no priority. We also know, “witnessed” (key word) threats to life or property, when called by alarm companies or local citizens, will still get the full attention of 911 resources. Registration/permits of the alarm site seem to be part of the outdated fragmented templates and business models, aka the “false alarm problem” that could destroy decades of public/private partnership. Maybe just reverse the roles… accountability for the same data about the alarm site, and for the response fees, but keep it part of the role of the licensed monitoring firms.
What do you think……?
Source: Lee Jones; Support Services Group
