One of law enforcement’s responsibilities is protecting community members from home intrusions and catching the perpetrator if an intrusion does occur; however, home security must begin in the home.

Nearly three-quarters of incomplete home intrusions are interrupted by an audible alarm, while homes without alarm systems are three times more likely to be burglarized, according to the Electronic Security Association, a trade group.

Although clearly effective in deterring or stopping intruders, home security systems can also be too “effective.” A report published in 2011 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services shows that police responded to approximately 36 million alarm activations per year, at an estimated annual cost of $1.8 billion. However, between 94 percent and 98 percent of the alarms were false—accounting for as much as 25 percent of all police calls in the United States.¹

Security system manufacturers are aware of these trends and are working to improve both the effectiveness and accuracy of home alarm systems. More automation and more flexibility are increasing the number of households that have a system in the first place, while allowing homeowners and renters to customize system settings in a way that minimizes false alarms without sacrificing utility.

For example, there is Piper, a system launched in January 2014, that is already making waves. The target market for the Canadian company are renters and others who do not historically have security systems because of a lack of room or resources. Piper combines video and sensor capabilities into a single compact product.

“Other security technologies like those that are professionally installed, require a significant ongoing financial commitment from the homeowner,” said Russell Ure, creator of Piper and executive vice president and general manager of iControl Canada. “Many homeowners are reluctant to make such a commitment, and people who rent are just not able to convince their landlords to allow such installations. Piper was designed for people who are unable to commit to a professionally installed and monitored system. Piper is a powerful all-in-one system that is easy to install and use—providing a great camera, two-way audio, a powerful siren, and the ability to automate security monitoring.”²

Because it is bringing new customers into the home security fold, the technology—which sells for $239—may be increasing security coverage and decreasing home intrusions and burglaries.

“Piper provides security for a group of people [renters] who traditionally had very little access to in-home security protection,” Ure said. “With Piper, they have the ability to be alerted if someone enters their home at night while they are sleeping and to automatically trigger the siren to drive them out, or to tell and show them of unauthorized access while they are at work so that they can call the police to take action while the criminal is still in their home.”

On the other side of the equation, companies are working to decrease false alarms, which can be a drain on valuable law enforcement time and resources. Monitronics, an Illinois-based company established in 1994 and the second-largest residential security provider in the United States, is working to make law enforcement’s job easier by participating in the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). ASAP is a computer-aided dispatch system designed to reduce false alarms and unnecessary law enforcement responses. After piloting the system in 2011, the Houston, Texas, Emergency Center, the fourth-largest 9-1-1 call center or PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) in the United States, experienced an estimated 10 percent decline in police alarm calls and $1–2 million in annual cost savings.

“The ASAP program has the potential to be a game changer in the future once enough PSAPs are on board,” said Darin Anderson, Monitronics’ vice president of monitoring operations. “The ability to pass information to an emergency agency electronically will speed up emergency response and also eliminate mistakes made by operators and dispatchers in the transfer of information. Alarm companies, emergency agencies, and our customers all win with this program.”³

In addition to its participation in ASAP, Monitronics attempts to follow up with customers on all false alarms to discuss what happened and how to prevent future false alarms. Monitronics also has regular reporting that identifies the reasons for alarms that the company evaluates and then works to address—and specifically targets for assistance any customer that has a high activity rate so any potential issues relating to false alarms can be resolved.

Other companies see growth in the $10 billion annual home security business and are beginning to enter the market. Piper, as mentioned, is one example of such a company. Cox Communications, the cable TV and Internet giant, recently launched Cox Home Security, which offers video and other security features alongside additional functions like remote smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring.

According to Cox statistics, approximately 25 percent of U.S. households have a security system. Cox officials are looking to increase that number and believe they can do so because of the way they are positioned as a result of its existing foothold in millions of households.⁴

“We’re believers that it’s a natural extension of what we’ve offered in the home for a while,” said Kristine Faulkner, home security and smart home leader for Cox. “This allows someone to control home intrusion and home safety monitoring, fire alarm, and smoke detection… You also have the ability to control door locks and lighting or even your coffee pot. Sixty percent of incoming connections are homeowners and others who have never had security. We can touch our customers and educate them on security.”⁵

Like many home security networks these days, Cox Home Security is customizable from just about anywhere that has cellular reception. The system can be configured so that both residents and law enforcement agencies can receive alerts by email or text if something happens.

“It’s all accessible through your smartphone or tablet,” Faulkner said. “You can set up the rules the way you want them and then change those rules later. You receive emails or text alerts when certain incidents occur. It sends an alarm message to the response centers.”

Cox also is different because it continues even during a power outage, which can help homeowners and law enforcement during a natural disaster or crisis. “It relies on broadband, but we have cellular backup. So if the power is out, it still works,” Faulkner said.

Other home security companies also are working to automate many aspects of home monitoring. SmartThings, based in Washington, D.C., offers a smartphone app and simple sensor device that allows users to set up a “remote control for the home” in as little as 15 minutes. Later this year, security firm August plans to release the Smart Lock, a mobile lock system that allows homeowners to retrofit existing locks and then control them remotely.

With the advances these companies and others in the market are making towards automation, accuracy, better monitoring, and increased use, both homeowners and law enforcement may soon be able to turn their attention to other issues with the knowledge that homes are the safe places they are meant to be. ♦

Notes:
¹Rana Sampson, false Burglar Alarms, 2nd ed. (Center for Problem Oriented Policing, August 2011): 7, http://www.popcenter.org/problems/pdfs/false_alarms_2nded.pdf (accessed May 22, 2014).
²Russell Ure (executive vice president and general manager, iControl Canada), email interview, April 10, 2014.
³Darin Anderson (vice president of monitoring operations, Monitronics), email interview, April 11, 2014.
⁴Kristine Faulkner (home security and smart home leader, Cox Communications), phone interview, April 15, 2014.
⁵Ibid.

Please cite as:

Scott Harris, “Home Security Enters New Markets; Reduces Burden on Law Enforcement,” Product Feature, The Police Chief 81 (July 2014): 34–35.

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