A Strong Partnership with Police in Bakersfield, CA

Donny Youngblood spent 30 years in law enforcement catching bad guys. Now he works for a company that helps cops catch the bad guys. He works for Sonitrol of Bakersfield, whose alarms helped police catch 74 burglars and vandals through August 3rd of last year in the greater Bakersfield area.
"I'm still catching bad guys, but I'm using (sophisticated) technology now," said Youngblood, who retired last March after three decades and reaching the rank of commander with the Kern County sheriff's department.

The technology is an alarm system that uses a unique audio detection device initially designed to listen for termites in walls. Those are fairly quiet critters. But burglars aren't that quiet - breaking glass, smashing doors ransacking rooms and chatting with their crime partners.

"It is those sounds, plus the occasional terrifying order issued by robbers, that give police confidence in knowing an actual crime is in progress (when it comes from Sonitrol) and what to expect when they get there, " said Youngblood.

Other alarm companies use motion sensors and electronic tripping systems that indicate a potential problem that needs to be checked out (but generally are not verified). Unfortunately, nearly 98 percent of the thousands of alarms reported to police are false, which drains huge chunks of manpower and time according to the police. Last year in Bakersfield, 10,700 alarms were reported to police, and 10,500 were false.

While in many cases where false alarms occur or the culprits manage to escape, police actually apprehend criminals based on what is heard by Sonitrol's professional monitors upon alarm activation. "Sonitrol can distinguish between an authorized employee and a burglar," Youngblood said.

For example, on March 28th at 4:30 p.m., deputies caught four juveniles on the roof of Ollivier Junior High School trying to break into it. Nine hours later at 1:30 a.m. March 29th, officers caught four more youths at the same place. On June 22nd, six youths were caught tearing up special education classrooms at Pauly School. And on July 20th, Sonitrol operators called Bakersfield police who arrived one minute later to find a man inside Bakersfield Monument Company going through drawers looking for cash.

Bakersfield Monument employee, Roger Ocequeda told the Sonitrol operator, "I'm glad the officers arrived quickly, I was afraid that my computer database was going to be taken." Fortunately, the business suffered no loss as a result.

In general, police cannot endorse alarm companies or systems, but experienced patrol supervisors at the Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Department say that Sonitrol has been effective. "They, by far, have the least among of false alarms," Police Lt. Joe Moesta said.

About 87 percent of Sonitrol's clients are businesses or public agencies. Several school districts also use Sonitrol. "It has been effective for us, " said Phil Wallace, services director for the Greenfield Unified School District. "Has the cost justified the expense? I would have to say yes," he concluded.

Source: Steve E. Swenson, California StaffWriter

About Sonitrol:
Sonitrol Corporation is the leading provider of Verified Response security solutions for businesses and schools in North America. Founded by a policeman, the company's technology was created to reduce false alarms and increase apprehensions. Sonitrol's proprietary audio verification capability has assisted local law enforcement in the apprehension of more than 155,000 suspects since 1977. Its integrated suite of offerings includes audio intrusion alarms, access control, video surveillance and fire detection. For more information on Sonitrol and its integrated security solutions, please visit the company's website at www.sonitrol.com.