SDM recently reported on a new police non-response policy in San Jose, Calif. (March issue, pg. 19). With approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, 2,300 active alarm ordinances and differing alarm policies in each community, the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is offering the industry the use of a secure database on its website with constantly updated information on alarm ordinance/policy activity.

The state activity report on the Security Industry Alarm Coalition’s (SIAC) website is updated regularly and provides timely information — even documents associated with each of the cities listed. The site, which can be accessed from the home page of SIAC’s website at www.siacinc.org, is free of charge. However, you must fill out a short online application to receive an assigned password to access this unique database.  It lists cities across North America, and includes critical information for alarm companies to ensure compliance with the latest local laws and requests for information or policy changes from local law enforcement.

“The State Activity Report is one more example of your SIAC dollars hard at work. We encourage industry members to not only go to our site to make sure they are in compliance, but share this information with their state and local associations,” said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director.

The site is updated regularly, and is the only repository where companies can find key contacts, upload permit application forms, and read explanations of recently enacted ordinances and policies.  Once security companies go to SIAC’s home page, scroll down to the lower right hand corner to “State Activity Report,” register, and you can then view these timely documents.

A new permit form for the city of Houston has just been added to the site, along with an explanation of the verified response policy in San Jose. Additionally, recent postings for Richmond, Ky. and Fair Lawn, N.J., explain important changes to their ordinances.

One of the key features available is the “automatic email notification system.”  Any registered user can click on the red mailbox next to each listing (it then turns green), indicating the system is now set to send them an email any time that particular city has information updated. National/Regional companies and key leaders may request access to all states.

Additionally, SIAC encouraged users to report ordinance/policy changes directly to SIAC so that the information may be posted and made available to everyone. “Dealers across the country are our eyes and ears, and provide us with invaluable information on local activity,” Martin added.