NCJ Number
177419
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 66 Issue: 6 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 33-39
Date Published
1999
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examines mobile security devices (MSDs).
Abstract
MSDs are designed to send a call for emergency response when activated by a person in a vehicle or on foot; portable MSDs can be used like hand-held cellular phones. Contact between the devices and an emergency monitoring center may be provided by a terrestrial radio link, communications satellite or cellular technology. As use of MSDs becomes more widespread, the security industry has begun to address questions of technical specifications and standards and potential problem areas such as false alarms. The Security Industry Association standard, "Mobile Security Devices Standard -- Monitoring Practices for False Alarm Prevention," contains: (1) a glossary of terms; (2) criteria for requesting emergency services; (3) procedures for processing and verifying incoming calls; (4) guidelines for MSD design; (5) data to be recorded by a private monitoring agency for each event; (6) instructions on how data should be maintained, protected and provided to emergency responders; (7) criteria for staffing and training operators; (8) standards for equipment and software in the monitoring facility; and (9) monitoring agency measures to ensure around-the-clock availability of critical data.