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BURGLAR ALARMS - PROS AND CONS

NCJ Number
13100
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 62,64-66
Author(s)
D A GRAY
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
ALARM SYSTEMS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN SCARSDALE, NEW YORK HAS LED TO A REDUCTION OF BURGLARIES IN THAT AREA.
Abstract
MOST OF THE SUCCESSFUL BURGLARIES OCCURRED IN HOMES WITH NO ALARM SYSTEMS. A FEW BURGLARIES OCCURRED IN HOMES WITH SYSTEMS THAT WERE EITHER INACTIVE OR WHICH FAILED TO COVER ALL ESSENITAL POINTS OF ENTRY TO THE PREMISES. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH DIRECTLY CONNECTED ALARM SYSTEMS IS THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF FALSE ALARMS. THESE ARE ATTRIBUTED TO MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF, ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION, AND INTERFERENCE WITH THE LEASED TELEPHONE LINES BY TELEPHONE COMPANY PERSONNEL. SCARSDALE HAS ENACTED A BURGLAR ALARM ORDINANCE REQUIRING LICENSING OF ALL ALARM COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES AND LEVYING FINES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WHO TRANSMIT FALSE ALARMS.