The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) awarded the 2014 Police Dispatch Quality Award to Habitec Security. SIAC gives the award annually to the company that promotes best practices working with law enforcement to reduce the number of unnecessary dispatches to alarm customers. It was presented at the Public Safety and Networking luncheon at ESX in Baltimore on June 24.
“Habitec Security has long been an industry leader in promoting best practices in reducing the number of alarm dispatches,” said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director. “Their commitment to their customers and their drive to partner with law enforcement is evident by their implementation of proven dispatch reduction strategies.”
Having the only locally owned and operated central station in northwest Ohio allows Habitec Security to handle each alarm call in a timely and appropriate manner. This local focus is a large contributing factor in reduced police dispatches in their communities. In 2011, Habitec implemented Enhanced Call Verification. Additionally, the company began an extensive six month supervisor guided training for new hires.
As well, the company achieved a 75 percent adaptation of CP-O1 alarm panels and required video installation for customers who had outside motion detectors. The firm also educated its customers by notifying them in writing and by telephone if they had more than two false alarms in a given period. If the customer was having a service issue, the company would offer reduced prices to troubleshoot the problem.
“With these implementations along with a false alarm notification program and policy change in residential panic alarms and outdoor motion detection, we were able to reduce false alarms by 57 percent,” said John Smythe, Habitec Security president. “We also use video monitoring for verification.”
Smythe continued, “The safety and security of our customers is our number one priority and it is an honor for our company to win such a prestigious award. Our dedicated team work very hard across all departments to deliver consistent, high quality service while continuing to be a valuable partner to emergency agencies throughout the country.”
Visit www.SIACinc.org for information.
