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COMMENT ON DIY FROM ONE POLICE OFFICER'S PERSPECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken
    Reading the Sept 14, 2016 newsletter, I'm shaking my head in disbelief when I read this:
    On the other end of the spectrum, commercial accounts with complicated pro systems treat the false alarm fees as just the cost of doing business, no big deal, it is a line item on a budget sheet and they let the false alarms runaway because they get a real cop to drive by instead of paying a security service.  Who is more of a pain for the PD ?
    I began to wonder about planet Phoenix and their deep pocket companies.  After all, it would be nice to go somewhere where money flows freely and to seek employment and maybe get a company car and expense account.  What's a little money between friends, anyway?  And with that much money to throw away, I could be their very good friend.
    But alas, I scroll to the end of the article and lo and behold, it's by Robbie Robinson.  I've read articles by Robbie before, and quite frankly, either planet Phoenix is a place where most of us can't compare to, or Robbie is expressing his opinions which has a disconnect to actual fact.
    Robbie, in places other than Phoenix, a phone call to the RP accompanies the dispatch, sometimes before or after the call to the PD, depending on whether or not ECV in in place.  That means the end user will get a phone call in the middle of the night if there is a false alarm.  And again the next time.  And again and again again until the problem is fixed or they stop using the alarm.  Couple that with false alarm fines and the problem will get fixed.  And if God forbid the problem doesn't get fixed the first time around, I guarantee that you will get an even more unpleasant phone call the next time around.  I know this because I've been here a while.  42 years to be exact.
    Swinging wildly back on topic, professionals know how to troubleshoot these problems and bring resolution to them.  Surely anybody can put in an alarm system. Putting it in correctly and resolving issues takes a professional. And when installed and maintained properly, the likelihood of false alarms drop dramatically.
    God bless you Robbie.  Keep it real please.
Dan Zeloof
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Ken
    As you know I have followed your postings for years as well as used your agreements.
    Det. Robinson has submitted the best if not thee best answer on the DIY issue the Central 
Station industry is facing today. In full disclosure I had the pleasure of meeting Det. Robinson at the last ESA EVENT he is the real deal . AS a retired police office myself and      being in this Industry for over 45 yrs I have seen both sides of the ongoing problems false Alarms can be. We should take heed in that he's says.
Thanks Detective
Chet Donati. 
IL Electric Security Association president 
DMC Security Services, Inc
Midlothian, IL
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Ken
    Wow!  Ken you are getting some great insight from people 'outside' the industry. Detective Robinson in Phoenix said a lot.  Changing technology, marketing, and consumer-buying habits, are a greater challenge for the most experienced of us. We need this outside input.
    The bottom line, the 800 pound gorilla in the room will always be that, our monitoring revenue is very dependent on 2 things that are seemingly beyond our control; insurance companies that give a homeowner discount for a monitored alarm, and tax-payer funded police response.  Take those away and the perceived value of everyone's bread and butter will be severely impacted. 
    Everything we do or say need to be filtered through doing our best to keep these things available.  With that line of thought, my concern has always been whether the DIY crowd, could possibly impact either in a negative way.   Detective Robinson doesn't appear to see that as an issue.  If so, that's a good thing.
Zeke Lay
Comtec
Oklahoma
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COMMENT ON CS MONITORING FOR DIY
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Ken
    I think as a dealer it would be a good idea to drop any central that monitors for DIY.....
Mike
CSS
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RESPONSE
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    I disagree.  DIY is going to be big business for the alarm dealers if they get on board.  If alarm dealers sit back and let other industries come in and capture this new business then --- you have only yourself to blame.  I believe DIY will supplement professional systems or will, for the most part,  be used by subscribers who would not consider a professional system.  
    Stop wasting time.  You need to take the steps to expand and grow your business.  Get the Nationwide DIY form by calling our Contract Administrator, Eileen Wagda, at 516 747 6700 x 312 or email EWagda@KirschenbaumEsq,com.  To inquire about licensing contact Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq at 516 747 6700 x 302 or Jennifer@KirschenbaumEsq.com.  
    There are also several dealer programs in the DIY market [Bart Didden's Dragonfly is one for cameras] that you can sign up for, at little or no cost, which enables you to get in on the DIY market without major investment and benefit with RMR participation.  Check The Alarm Exchange under the category Technology and Services that increase or preserve your RMR for opportunities.