NCJ Number
57742
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST PERSONAL ALARM CONCEPT CALLED THE CITIZEN ALARM SYSTEM (CAS) IS DISCUSSED, WITH ATTENTION TO HARDWARE DESIGN AND TESTING.
Abstract
INTENDED FOR USE BY CITIZENS IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS, RESIDENCES, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS, THE CAS CONCEPT'S AIM IS A REDUCTION OF BOTH PERSONAL ATTACK CRIMES AND CITIZENS' FEAR OF CRIME. THE SYSTEM PROVIDES A MEANS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO SUMMON IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AT THE ONSET OF A CRIMINAL ATTACK OR OTHER EMERGENCY. THE HARDWARE CONSISTS OF SMALL ACTUATORS IN WRISTWATCH OR PENDANT FORM THAT ARE CARRIED BY CITIZENS, A NETWORK OF WALL- OR POSTMOUNTED RECEIVER RELAYS, AND A CENTRAL MONITORING STATION AT AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE AGENCY. THE ACTUATOR, WHICH CAN BE INCONSPICOUSLY TRIGGERED, TRANSMITS A CODED RADIO FREQUENCY ALARM SIGNAL CONTAINING THE CITIZEN'S IDENTIFICATION TO A NEARBY RECEIVER WHICH, IN TURN, PROVIDES ITS OWN UNIQUE LOCATION WHILE RELAYING THE ALARM ALONG BUILDING POWER LINES AND DEDICATED PHONE LINES TO THE CENTRAL STATION. AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEAA-SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES--PLANNING, CONCEPT DEFINITION, PRELIMINARY HARDWARE DESIGN AND TESTING, FIELD TEST PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION--IS PROVIDED, ALONG WITH A FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF THE HARDWARE AND A DISCUSSION OF UNRESOLVED ISSUES REGARDING THE WIDESPREAD IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALARM SYSTEM. ILLUSTRATIONS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)