Local Police and American Alarm Working Together to Educate

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

As we move toward a time where safety emergencies are becoming more prevalent, preparing for these events is becoming more important. Coming off the heels of the Boston Marathon bombings, American Alarm teamed with Winchester, MA law enforcement to review precautionary measures that can be taken to help prevent and handle these situations.

LibraryOn Friday, May 17, 2013, American Alarm and the Winchester Police and Fire departments assisted in training the employees at the Winchester library how to react to emergency situations. Among the topics covered were missing children, aggressive and inappropriate behavior of patrons, unattended bags, sexual predators, employee roles and how to better utilize the previously installed security systems.

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How Online Crime Data Helps Police and Residents

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

online crime data

Regular folks no longer have to wait for the morning paper or 10 o’clock news to gain access to crime data for their neighborhoods and towns.

Why? Police departments depend on information, and putting data in the hands of “regular” folks – online and for free – can help solve crimes faster while creating a safer community.

For instance, the 40,000-resident city of Billerica, Mass. – located 20 miles northwest of Boston – publishes daily logs of crimes, residential break ins and other police calls (e.g. checking on an elderly neighbor). This data give residents a look at the police activity by partial address and date.

For example, take a look at the two charts below for 2012 Crime Data for Billerica.

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How Social Media is Changing Law Enforcement Strategy and Tactics

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

social media and law enforcementIn a society where almost every cell phone out there also has a camera attached to it — and in a world where the ability to upload those photos from a mobile device instantly to social media is increasingly commonplace — there is no question that law enforcement has had to sit up and take notice concerning the impact of this type of technology. One of the more complex questions has been whether to consider social media as a resource or a hindrance during the course of police work.

Consider the pro-social media as law enforcement tool argument, which sees the vast repository of Internet users as potential sources of crucial information about specific crimes. Releasing photos of suspects online in an effort to ‘crowd-source’ their location, or asking the public to submit photos and tips using the web or Twitter would seem to be a useful strategy for federal and local law officers working a case.

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How to Prevent Smoking-related Fires in the Home

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

You’ve probably heard the stories about people who have fallen asleep with a lit cigarette in their hand and woken up to a house on fire — or who have been pulled out of the charred remains of their home by a fire crew. Those aren’t tall tales: each year, the U.S. Fire Administration documents close to 1,000 cases of individuals killed in home fires started by cigarettes.

cigaretteRecently, a Westfield, Massachusetts woman was killed by cigarette smoking near a home oxygen system. The fire not only took her life, but caused significant damage to the downtown apartment complex. While smoking should NEVER take place near highly flammable materials such as oxygen systems, fires often still occur in homes without obvious risks.

Aside from quitting smoking, there are a few ways you can try to reduce the chances that you will ever have to deal with a home fire caused by a lit cigarette. Read more →

Home Security Tips: Protect Your Home from Mother Nature’s Wrath

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

This winter it seems that Mother Nature is one unhappy mama, to paraphrase Sudbury, Mass. real estate agent Gabrielle Daniels.

With snowstorms on top of blizzards followed by days when the mercury hits spring-like temps, it’s no wonder she’s a bit cranky. Not to mention it’s only February.

house in snowBecause we understand just how frustrating – albeit beautiful – winter in New England can be, we’d like to share some tips from Daniels and others to help you keep your home and your family cozy and warm, not to mention safe, from Mother Nature’s mood swings. Read more →

Home Security Bulletin: Break-Ins on the Rise In New England

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

home security alert New England Break Ins on the Rise According to crime statistics and law enforcement officials burglaries and break-ins are on the rise throughout New England. Thieves are targeting gold, platinum, silver and anything they can grab quickly and pawn easily for fast cash.

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7 Home Security System Tips to Minimize False Alarms

/1 Comment/by American Alarm Blogging Team

False Alarm Home SecurityEverybody is familiar with the boy who cried wolf, and what happens when someone raises a false alarm. However, in the real world of business and home security systems, false alarms aren’t child’s play. In fact, according to law enforcement officials, false alarms can significantly strain police resources, costing millions, if not, billions of dollars nationwide.

In addition to the strain placed on local law enforcement, false alarms have also been identified as the chief consumer complaint by insurance companies, and home security professionals.  According to the Department of Justice, one of the most common causes of false alarms is human error, which means steps can be taken to prevent or reduce them. Read more →