NCJ Number
156042
Journal
Security Dealer Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 78-88
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Reducing false alarms is the most significant problem in the security alarm industry and should be addressed through the systematic application of planning theory and the resulting use of solutions that address the causes.
Abstract
The planning process involves accurately identifying the problem and its significance, understanding the causes, generating all possible solutions, evaluating them, and determining and planning the implementation of a preferred course of action. The reasons for the large number of false activations is the lack of incentives by alarm owners and installers to curb activations. Although alarm effectiveness depends on prompt responses to activations, neighbors and police assume that alarm activations are false. Studies reveal that the enforcement of ordinances, not merely their existence, reduces false activations. The fine structure needs special attention. Dealer licensing and registration and initiation fees of alarm owners are necessary for quality control and to ensure that owners and installers pay the costs. Activations caused by alarm owners can be prevented by changing the hardware. Private response to activations should also be considered and is economically feasible in areas that have large numbers of properties with alarms.