Archive: November 2014

LANCASTER, Pa.—Security Partners announced Nov. 25 that it is opening a new 7,424- square-foot central station in Las Vegas, adding to its national network of three other locations.“The fourth operation center is the next step in our long-term vision and game plan to have strategically located operation centers throughout the U.S.,” Mike Bodnar, president of Security Partners told Security Systems News. Bodnar said that vision probably would include a fifth location.“We anticipate...

WESTFORD, Mass.—Tyco Security Products is sponsoring the 10th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women on Dec. 4 in Boston. The conference features nationally recognized speakers and provides professional women with workshops and seminars on entrepreneurship, professional development and personal/professional life balance. Tyco Security Products will showcase some of its solutions during the conference as well as bring one of its leaders to host a panel. Anita Santos, VP of marketing for Tyco...

WILMINGTON, Del.—B Safe, a regional provider of security and fire alarms, has acquired Dunlap Electronic Security of Red Bank, N.J. The purchase of Dunlap furthers B Safe's growth plan, Philip Gardner, B Safe president, said in a prepared statement. Dunlap's location gives B Safe additional strength “where we already have offices and allows us to expand our commitment to total customer satisfaction,” the company said in the statement. B Safe has provided integrated electronic security...

CHICAGO—Homesecurity systems provider Scout Alarm is finalizing partnerships with Lockitron and IFTTT that will allow consumers to integrate Scout's home security product with Lockitron and IFTTT by the end of the year, according to Scout. Scout is now shipping its home security product to crowdfunding backers who preordered. Scout's flagship project was crowdfunded independently, exceeding its fundraising goal of $180,000 within a matter of days, ultimately raising over $474,000 to date, the...

NEW YORK—SecureWatch 24 used ISC East 2014 to showcase SecureWatchman, a new offering of customizable video analytic alerts for building owners.Special cameras with built-in analytics will be able to enact protocols devised by building owners, leading back to SW24's central station in Moonachie, N.J. Jay Stuck, company executive VP, identified multi-family housing as a key market for this product.“Now we're able to help the building owners and supervisors detect loitering, people lingering...

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Dave Tyson, senior director, information security and CISO for SC Johnson, will become president of ASIS in January. Tyson has nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise security, ASIS says. Prior to his current role, he led security programs for utility PG&E, was global security operations lead for eBay and was chief security officer for the city of Vancouver. He has won numerous industry awards and speaks often at conferences and education events in North America, South America,...

CHICO, Calif.—The California Alarm Association (CAA) and the Sacramento Area Alarm Association (SAAA) are filing a lawsuit against the city of Chico, Calif., after the city on Oct. 21 unanimously passed an ordinance that fines alarm companies for false alarms.“Here's the bottom line: Innocent parties are being fined for the conduct of others that's beyond their control, and that's the core of why we have to fight this, and we can't allow this to take place anywhere.” Jon Sargent,...

CORK, Ireland—Tyco International on Nov. 21 announced that it is making a strategic investment in Silicon Valley-based home automation solution provider Qolsys.Launched at ISC West in 2013, Qolsys is a relative newcomer to the security industry.“Qolsys has done some very interesting things,” David Grinstead, VP global sales for Tyco Security Products, told Security Systems News. He added that Tyco was drawn to Qolsys' “fresh, innovative approach to development.”Grinstead...

Lately it seems that the St. Petersburg Police Department has been looking closely at the matter of security. Two separate items have cropped up in this city just outside of Tampa, Fla. The first is that they are compiling a registry for security cameras in the city. This initiative, called 'Eagle Eye,' allows for cameras to be registered online through the St. Petersburg Police Department's website. By having a comprehensive list of cameras in the city, the department hopes to gain quick access...

I couldn't resist. I wrote about Honeywell presenting its annual Life Safety award at its Connect2014 event a few weeks ago. But when I received a photo from Honeywell from the awards ceremony and remembered the moving tribute, I had to repost with some more details to give this amazing kid as well as the outstanding first responders in Palm Bay, Fla., their due. Six-year-old Romeo Rodriguez, one of the recipients of the award, was instrumental in saving his friend, an 8-year-old girl, Kathy. He...