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MORE ON CENTRAL STATIONS COMPETING WITH DEALERS
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Ken
    I really hate it when central stations compete directly with their customers that pay the bills keeping the lights on.  No wonder this central station wanted to be anonymous…  Taking over this guys systems is just so crappy.  We used to be part owners of a regional central station and our board, although contentious at times, never, I repeat never would have taken over accounts from a failing alarm company.  This guy deserves no help from you.  Just my thoughts…
Steve Sopkin, President
Mijac Alarm
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Ken,
    Since the “Central Station taking over dealer monitoring accounts” from November 25 (my birthday) was signed by anonymous, I feel compelled to reply on behalf of my company USA Central Station Alarm Corp which is listed in The Alarm Exchange.
    USA does not compete with its customers in any such way or fashion. Yes we have had Dealers pass away or just pick up stakes and move away and we work overtime to associate those affected customers with a new service company in their area, EVEN if we don’t have a dealer there and lose the accounts.
    The importance of a well trained service company is vital to a well working alarm system that does not become a nuisance to the community or a drain on municipal services such as fire or police.
    Ethics means everything here at USA and the independent dealer should care about how their service provider operates it’s company and its affairs. It makes a difference.
Bart A. Didden, President 
U.S.A. Central Station Alarm Corp. 
Port Chester, NY 
Milford, CT 
St. Paul, MN 
877-872-1266
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SIGNS FOR CAMERAS
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Ken
    Is there any legal concern or risk associated with providing a customer for whom we installed video cameras (which may or may not be surveilled) with a sign that says “Warning: This Property Under Video Surveillance” that has our company logo on it? In other words, does providing them with a sign like this open us up to additional responsibility or liability?
Thank you,
David S
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RESPONSE
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    Yes, you need to be concerned with what your sign says because you don't want to convey the impression to the public that you are providing security they can rely on for their personal safety and protection, unless of course you are providing that service.  
    In most cases however the cameras are set up for the property owner.  Even if the cameras are monitored real time by on-site security personnel you need to be careful what message your sign sends.  In other words, you need to be concerned with what reasonable expectation for security your sign creates.  In most cases you are not intending to provide any protection; none.  But it's not likely your sign will read "cameras are not for your protection" or "no one is monitoring these cameras" or something else that unmistakingly lets anyone reading it know that they are "on their own".  
    I just thought of the best sign to accompany your video surveillance area. "enter at your own risk".  Only kidding.
    Your video installation and monitoring service is going to be covered by the Commercial All in One and you are going to have contractual protection for claims brought by the subscriber.  You will also have indemnity from the subscriber if third parties sue you, but you won't have any contract with the third parties.  
    Keep your signs clear.  Puffery is fine, but don't cross the line.
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