Birthdays are supposed to be happy occasions: cake, balloons, and the company of close friends. However, for one Stamford man late last year, $100 in birthday cash led to a very strange series of events.
According to Lohud, it all started when the autistic man received $100 for his birthday. He was quickly befriended by 27 year-old Steven St. Jacques, also of Stamford, who played a “game” with the victim, which involved taking the money and then pretending to put it back into the man’s pocket. Police posted security footage of the event on YouTube and later arrested St. Jacques at his home, where they recovered clothing matching that worn by the suspect in the video. The victim was presented with a new gift: $1300 collected by the police union.
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New Worcester Lab Brings “Real” Crime to Campus
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamIs that guy passed-out drunk, or is that a dead body? Ketchup, or blood? What’s going on here?
On Becker College campus, the confusion is understandable thanks to the new John Dorsey Sr. Crime Scene Laboratory, named after one of the college’s longest-serving law professors. The 1100 square-foot lab is designed to mimic the horror and authenticity of real crime scenes, and according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Earley, a friend of Professor Dorsey, “I got the heebie-jeebies. It was that realistic.” The idea behind the sometimes gruesome vignettes is to give students a leg up in the real world, especially if they’re looking at a career in law enforcement or forensics.
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Do You Have a Family Emergency Evacuation Plan?
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamDo your loved ones know what to do if a fire breaks out in your home in the middle of the night? What if there’s a hurricane or Nor’easter and your family members aren’t all together in one location? Does everyone in your family know what to do in these different emergency situations? How to contact each other? How to get back together? Who to call? Where to meet?
While a home fire alarm system is the best defense against protecting your family in the event of a fire, you also need an emergency plan to ensure your family is safe and secure during a disaster.
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Carbon Monoxide Poison Prevention
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamWhen the weather outside is frightful, many of us take cover in our nice, warm homes. But when we bundle up and use alternative sources of power, we are also putting ourselves at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fumes from portable generators, stoves, lanterns and gas ranges can build up in enclosed spaces and be very harmful to people and pets.
Watch our video below (or read the transcript) for ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home this winter.
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Worcester County Tops Crime List in MA, Says FBI
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamIf you live in Worcester County, MA, your area is the recipient of a dubious FBI honor: According to recently-released 2013 data, nine of the top 50 crime-filled cities and towns in MA belonged to Worcester. Local residents aren’t sure the data holds up under scrutiny, but safe or not the FBI results beg a question: What can citizens do to make Massachusetts a safer place? Read more →
Tips on Evaluating Your Business Security System Provider
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamFor New England businesses, the start of a new year is a great time to take stock of what’s working for your company, what isn’t, and where you need to make changes. One critical area often overlooked by businesses is their security system—is the service delivering effective protection at a reasonable price, or is it time for a new partner in the new year?
Here are 5 critical questions to ask your current business security system provider:
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Bad Birthday: Autistic Man’s Cash Gift Stolen in Stamford
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamBirthdays are supposed to be happy occasions: cake, balloons, and the company of close friends. However, for one Stamford man late last year, $100 in birthday cash led to a very strange series of events.
According to Lohud, it all started when the autistic man received $100 for his birthday. He was quickly befriended by 27 year-old Steven St. Jacques, also of Stamford, who played a “game” with the victim, which involved taking the money and then pretending to put it back into the man’s pocket. Police posted security footage of the event on YouTube and later arrested St. Jacques at his home, where they recovered clothing matching that worn by the suspect in the video. The victim was presented with a new gift: $1300 collected by the police union.
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Home Safety Tips for Using Wood-Burning Stoves
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamOn January 9th, a 16-year-old Nassau County, Florida girl and her mom lost their lives in a fire that was started by a wood-burning stove they were apparently using to heat their home.
The girl’s father tried to save his family but, sadly, the fire was just too intense. Investigators said they weren’t sure if the home had been equipped with working smoke detectors. A working smoke alarm as well as monitored smoke detectors could have increased their chances of surviving that fire.
If you’re one of the many thousands of people who long for the “good old days” when folks used to heat their homes with wood-burning stoves, you should also be aware of the dangers of this practice, including the risk of fire, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Here are some tips for the safe and efficient use of wood-burning stoves to help ensure your safety as well as the safety of your family and your home.
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Olympic Dreams, Security Nightmares: Can Boston Host 2024?
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamBoston is going for gold with a Summer Olympics effort, with supporters claiming the city can handle infrastructure challenges like massive air travel influx and transit congestion. But there’s another concern, one that could tip the balance from Olympic dream to nightmare: security.
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Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamCan your business survive a major fire, hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster? The fact is 25 percent of businesses that are forced to close because of fire or weather-related disasters never reopen.
While you can’t lower the risk of a natural disaster like a hurricane, there are steps you can take to protect your company from nature’s wrath. Putting a disaster recovery plan in place – and reviewing it annually – is key to keeping your business secure in the face of catastrophe.
Here are some tips to help you plan ahead to better protect your employees, your customers, and your assets in the event of a natural disaster:
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Beat the Burglar: Tips from New England Law Enforcement
/by American Alarm Blogging TeamIn New Canaan, CT, police are dealing with a rash of burglaries. Bold criminals are stealing electronics, watches and jewelry from homes in broad daylight, leaving homeowners both frustrated and afraid: could they be next?
To help combat the problem, the New Canaan police department has created a list of “Beat the Burglar” tips: here’s their best advice for keeping your home secure, no matter where you live.
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