California leads the way for SIAC

CHULA VISTA, Calif.—California is leading the way in adopting false alarm ordinances, according to Jon Sargent, the industry/law enforcement liaison for the Security Industry Alarm Coalition.

“CAA (California Alarm Association) has been very proactive” in its involvement with SIAC, Sargent told Security Systems News. “I don't believe there is any state structured in this matter as well as California.”

The city of Chula Vista and others have made strides in their alarm ordinances, thanks in part to the chain reaction that results when one jurisdiction sets an example. That's in line with how SIAC approaches the subject, Sargent said.

SIAC provides jurisdictions considering adopting ordinances with statistics and positive results from both law enforcement and alarm industry professionals, Sargent said.

Ron Walters, SIAC director, said SIAC has also seen “some strong activity this year where we have worked closely with the state associations [including] New Mexico, Ohio, Florida, Colorado and Arizona.”

Other states with “more moderate or normal activity” in 2014 include Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Connecticut, Virginia, Mississippi, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.”

Walters said that SIAC hired Chief Steve Keefer (ret.) of Sparks, Nev., “to work the western states to emulate the efforts of Glen Mowrey in the eastern states. Chief Keefer has been active for a year working with the various states that have active ordinance issues including California and specifically with Chula Vista and Chico.”

Walters said that SIAC has several retired chiefs on retainer in its most active areas. “These chiefs are local and well known regionally allowing us to have a larger footprint without breaking the budget,” he explained.

Another 2015 initiative for SIAC is partnering with the “major city chiefs and major county sheriffs organizations to improve communications and solidify relationships with this critical segment of law enforcement,” Walters said.