Pelco Tech Support

  • Subscribe to our RSS feed.
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Digg

Friday, 12 August 2011

Arlington, Texas considers new alarm fees

Posted on 01:34 by Unknown

City council considering imposing a $100 fee for those who needlessly activate panic alarms
BY SUSAN SCHROCK
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
Updated: 08-11-2011 2:05 pm
Aug. 10--ARLINGTON -- To help offset police expenses, the city may raise commercial burglar alarm permit fees and penalize Arlington residents and business owners who accidentally trip panic alarms.

The City Council is considering raising the commercial fee from $50 to $100 annually and creating a $100 fee for those who activate panic alarms without needing police assistance. Residential burglar alarm permit fees are capped by the state at $50 a year.

During a budget meeting Tuesday, Police Chief Theron Bowman told the council that businesses are responsible for nearly half of the 15,000 burglar alarm calls each year but make up only about 18 percent of permit holders.

"On average, 99 percent of alarms are false," Bowman said. "We probably didn't have a single legitimate panic alarm last year."

The increased fees, expected to generate $250,000 a year, are among cost-cutting or revenue-generating measures aimed at balancing the city's $200 million general fund budget for next fiscal year. The budget, which the council will vote on next month, also includes new fees for nonresidents using Arlington libraries, a proposal to outsource apartment inspections and a one-time 4 percent bonus for city employees in lieu of a raise.

Arlington has about 3,900 commercial burglar alarm permit holders, and most of the 2,516 panic alarm calls last year were at businesses, Bowman said.

Responding to those high-priority alarms is costly because more police officers must arrive more quickly than on general burglar alarm calls, which are usually tripped by sensors, Bowman said. Residents and businesses would not be charged the $100 fee when panic alarms are activated legitimately.
"Most false alarms that we see are because of defective equipment or operator error," Bowman said. "If it's a panic alarm in the middle of the night where there is a prowler or a noise, that is not a false alarm."

Dallas, Plano, San Antonio and Garland have similar panic alarm permit fees, Bowman said.

This year, Arlington proposed outsourcing burglar alarm responses to armed security guards instead of uniformed officers to save about $1.1 million. Council members rejected that plan, so the Police Department will have to identify $772,000 more in cuts, or less than 1 percent of its total $82.7 million budget, for next fiscal year.

At-large Councilman Jimmy Bennett said that while no one likes paying new fees, charging the customers who require additional police resources makes more sense than raising taxes on everyone.

"Because of the burden false alarms have placed on our Police Department, particularly on the commercial end, I feel it's a responsible way to make those parties responsible for the cost to bear some portion. Even so, these fees come nowhere near the costs to provide the actual response service," Bennett said. "While there is a justification for it, we are looking for other ways to avoid having to charge these limited additional fees."

Town-hall meetings on the proposed budget are set for Aug. 23-24, and a public hearing is set for Sept. 8. Property tax rates are expected to stay the same for the ninth year in a row.

Mace completes multimillion dollar financing deal

Richard Barone elected chairman of company
BY SIW EDITORIAL STAFF
SecurityInfoWatch.com
Updated: 08-11-2011 2:52 pm
Mace Security International, a manufacturer of electronic surveillance and personal protection solutions, announced Wednesday that it has completed a multimillion financing deal led by The Ancora Group, which is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

According to a statement, The Ancora Group and its investment partner, Merlin Partners LLC, will now have a 35 percent ownership stake in the company.

In addition, Ancora Group Chairman Richard Barone has been elected as the new chairman of Mace. Barone was elected to the Mace board in 2009 to help resolve a variety of problems the company was facing at the time including the purchase of unrelated businesses such as car washes and an internet marketing company.

"During the past two years we have resolved all of these issues. We are no longer in the car wash or internet business. We have settled all matters which could affect our balance sheet," Barone said in the statement. "Our two remaining divisions, wholesale remote monitoring of homes and warehouses and pepper spray security products, are doing well. The recently completed financing provides Mace with the financial strength to grow its personal defense product lines"

Denis Amato, chief investment officer at Ancora and Larry Pollock, managing partner of Lucky Star Partners and former president of Cole National have also been elected to the Mace board.

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest
Posted in | No comments
Newer Post Older Post Home

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Popular Posts

  • Bug Detectors
    If you think that someone is listening to your conversations or is watching you with a hidden camera, a bug detector will help you find the ...
  • Home Video Surveillance Options
    With cities and municipalities cutting back on police and fire protection, it is becoming more evident that people need to start taking secu...
  • Powerssecurity Instructional Fighting Dvds Dvd-Rat
    Paul vunak - without a doubt one of the most respected - and dangerous -men in the world at hand-to-hand combat. he specializes in teaching ...
  • PROFESSIONAL DAY NIGHT DOME CAMERA WITH VARI-FOCAL AND AUTO IRIS LENS
    This professional dome camera features 480 lines of resolution with a 4~9mm varifocal auto iris lens. It built-in On/Off switches for Back L...
  • Sony Ccd, 1/3" Sony Super Had Day Night, 480 Lines, 1.0 Lux Color, 0.5 Lux Mono, Dual Voltage - Bc2002hdn1224 High performance box camera
    The Bolide Technology Group BC2002HDN/12/24 is a high performance box camera, perfect for securing banks, retail stores, government faciliti...
  • Converter, Rs485 To Rs232. - Rs485232
    Converter, rs485 to rs232 http://www.powerssecurity.com/product/Converter-Rs485-To-Rs232-Rs485232/Default.aspx Corner Mount Bracket Adapter ...
  • Wireless Video Surveillance System
    With crime rates soaring, people are beginning to take measures to protect themselves. Certain things have to be done in order to protect th...
  • How to Choose a Security DVR
    Owners of both homes and businesses, if they're not tech-savvy, can face a tough challenge learning how to choose a security DVR (Digita...
  • Telephone Line Tap Detector - Bt-Tbsp
    Telephone line tap detector http://www.powerssecurity.com/product/Telephone-Line-Tap-Detector-Bt-Tbsp/Default.aspx Telephone Line Bug And Re...
  • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns Pb6092ry
    Yellow .12 gram plastic bbs 2000 ct. http://www.powerssecurity.com/product/Powerssecurity-Airsoft-Guns-Pb6092ry/Default.aspx Powerssecurity ...

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2011 (300)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ▼  August (220)
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80390
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80384
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80382
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80380
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80345
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80337
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80335
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80270
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80269
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80196
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80184
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80153
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80105
      • Powerssecurity Instructional Fighting Dvds Dvd-Small
      • Powerssecurity Instructional Fighting Dvds Dvd-Rat
      • Powerssecurity Instructional Fighting Dvds Dvd-Min...
      • Powerssecurity Instructional Fighting Dvds Dvd-Act
      • Powerssecurity Home Protection Telespy
      • Powerssecurity Home Protection Slaw2200b
      • Powerssecurity Home Protection Hp-Glass
      • Powerssecurity Animal Repellent Br-9
      • Powerssecurity Animal Repellent 80346
      • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns Pb6092ry
      • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns Jpp6400r
      • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns Jp91164
      • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns 71001
      • Powerssecurity Mace Pepper Spray 80141
      • Powerssecurity Airsoft Guns 280108
      • Powerssecurity Pepper Spray Ps-Ls
      • Security Assessment Workplace Security Analysis
      • At ASIS 2011 show, an extra focus on information s...
      • Arlington, Texas considers new alarm fees
      • Wisconsin Capitol security costs for protests expe...
      • 16 Channel CCTV Security Kit All-in-One Security Kit
      • 4 CH All-In-One CCTV Security System All-in-One Se...
      • 4-Channel Inputs/1-Channel Outputs H.264 Support T...
      • Pocket Digital Motion Detection A/V Recorder - Avr...
      • 2-Channel Pocket Digital Motion Detection A/V Reco...
      • 160Gb Hhd For Digital Video Recorders - Behdd160 DVR
      • 4-Ch With Audio. H.264, Triplex, Usb Backup. Vga O...
      • Mpeg4 19" Lcd Dvr 8Ch, Real Time, Tcp/Ip, 4Ch Audi...
      • H.264 32 Video Audio, Real Time Dis Rec, 320Gb, Dv...
      • 8-Ch H.264 Compression Standalone Dvr, Real Time R...
      • 16-Ch With Audio.H.264, Triplex, Usb Backup.Vga Ou...
      • Powerssecurity 16 Channel Wireless Dvr Complete Sy...
      • H.264 Hardware Compression, 16 Channel Card Softwa...
      • H.264 4 Video Audio, Real Time Dis Rec, 160Gb, Dvd...
      • H.264 16 Video Audio, Real Time Dis Rec, 160Gb, Dv...
      • 8 Cameras Dvr Card Economic Model. 240Fps. (8 Ch C...
      • 66 Hrs Digital Voice Recorder. Voice Activation Fu...
      • 131 Hrs Digital Voice Recorder. Voice Activated. B...
      • Telephone Voice Changer - Bt-8083
      • The Disconnected Number - Btdn
      • Telephone Line Wrong Number Generator. - Btwng
      • Telephone Line Tap Detector - Bt-Tbsp
      • Total Phone Security System - Bttltd Bolide Phone ...
      • Telephone Line Bug And Recording Device Defeated -...
      • The Dead Ringer - Bt-Dr Plug and Play Compatible w...
      • 8-Hour Extended Play Telephone Recorder With Voice...
      • 12-Hour Sony Telephone Recorder. Records When Rece...
      • 5-Hour Telephone Recorder I With Two Speed Recordi...
      • Mega Pixel Vari -Focus Iris Lens 9Mm-22Mm Aspheric...
      • Mega Pixel Vari -Focus Iris Lens 3.5Mm-8.00Mm Asph...
      • Focal Length: 4.0 Mm, Aperture: 1.6 F, Cs Mount.As...
      • Focal Length: 2.5 Mm, Aperture: 1.6 F, Cs Mount.As...
      • Focal Length: 50 Mm, Aperture: 1.2 F, Cs Mount. As...
      • Focal Length: 25 Mm, Aperture: 1.2 F, Cs Mount. As...
      • Focal Length: 2.8-12 Mm, Aperture: 1.4 F, Cs Mount...
      • Focal Length: 5.0-100 Mm, Aperture: 1.4 F, Cs Moun...
      • 6.0-15.0MM VARI-FOCAL AUTO IRIS LENS
      • Protocol Board (Coaxial) - Be218coaxial Protocol B...
      • Parapet Mount Bracket Mount Bracket
      • Mini Ptz Outdoor Sun Shell Cover - Bemini Cover Mi...
      • Converter, Rs485 To Rs232. - Rs485232
      • 3" Wall Mount Bracket For Vandal Mini Dome - Bewal...
      • Powerssecurity 8 Channel Wireless Digital Video Re...
      • Powerssecurity 4 Channel Wireless Digital Video Re...
      • Powerssecurity 4 Channel Wired Digital Video Recor...
      • Powerssecurity 16 Channel Embedded Dvr - Sa-Dvr-16
      • 4 Channels Passive Video Transceiver - Be8016 P4
      • 1 Channel Active Video Receiver Which Include Powe...
      • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Color Outdoor Ir Camera. 420 Line...
      • Color Button Hidden Camera With Mpeg4 Portable Vid...
      • 2.4 Ghz Micro Wireless Color Hidden Cam With Audio...
      • Color Motion Detector Hidden Camera Case. (Non-Wor...
      • 1/3" Color Ccd, Day Night, 450 Line, 0.002 Lux (Mo...
      • 1/3" B/W Ccd, 420 Lines, 0.05 Lux, Pinhole Lens 3....
      • IR Bullet camera Anti-Head Light Technology
      • Powerssecurity High Resolution Day-Night Color Cam...
      • Color 1/3" Sony Super Had Ccd, Vari Focal 4-9Mm, 4...
      • 1/3" Sony Ccd, 420Lines, 0.2 Lux, Indoor Color Cam...
      • 1/4" Sony Super Had Ccd, 3 Axis Weather Proof, 520...
      • 1/4" Sony Ccd Ir Color, Weather Proof. 420~450 Lin...
      • Baltimore to expand crime camera program
      • 1/4" Color Sony Super Had Ccd, 420 Lines, 0.2 Lux,...
      • Powerssecurity High Resolution Day-Night Color Cam...
      • VANDAL PROOF DAY NIGHT DOME CAMERA
      • Special Mounting (Wall / Ceiling / Pole) Miniature...
      • Powerssecurity Indoor Day /Night Surveillance Dome...
      • COLOR DOME CAMERA
    • ►  July (79)
Powered by Blogger.