Latest News

Rutgers Study Finds Alarm Systems Are Valuable Crime Fighting Tool

July 1, 2010

If you are considering a security system for your home or business, you may find this recent study very informative. Look it over and then call us to find out what options best fit your needs.

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Study Links Burglary Reduction to Increase in Alarms Systems

A comprehensive study of five years of statistics by researchers at the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) in Newark found that residential burglar alarm systems decrease crime. While other studies have concluded that most burglars avoid alarm systems, this is the first study to focus on alarm systems while scientifically ruling out other factors that could have impacted the crime rate.

Researchers concentrated on analyzing crime data provided by the Newark Police Department. “Data showed that a steady decrease in burglaries in Newark between 2001 and 2005 coincided with an increase in the number of registered home burglar alarms,” said study author Dr. Seungmug (a.k.a. Zech) Lee, who received his doctoral degree from SCJ in 2008 and presently teaches at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. “The study credits the alarms with the decrease in burglaries and the city’s overall crime rate.”

In short, the study found that an installed burglar alarm makes a dwelling less attractive to the would‐be and active intruders and protects the home without displacing burglaries to nearby homes.

In short, the study found that an installed burglar alarm makes a dwelling less attractive to the would‐be and active intruders and protects the home without displacing burglaries to nearby homes.

The study also concluded that the deterrent effect of alarms is felt in the community at large. “Neighborhoods in which burglar alarms were densely installed have fewer incidents of residential burglaries than the neighborhoods with fewer burglar alarms,” the study noted.

The study was conducted with the cooperation of the Newark Police Department and reviewed five years of police data. The more than 300‐page study was conducted over a two‐year period and funded by the non‐profit Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF). SCJ Professors George L. Kelling, Marcus Felson and

Ronald V. Clarke and Professor Robert D. McCrie of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York were members of the study’s Faculty Advisory Committee. Dr. Clarke served as committee chair.

“This type of study assists police departments to effectively deploy their limited resources,” said Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy. “The School of Criminal Justice provides valuable insight into the positive impact alarm systems can have in preventing residental burglaries.”

“This is the most comprehensive study of its kind that has ever been conducted,” said Dr. Lee. “By using sophisticated in‐depth research techniques, we were able to eliminate the variables that impact crime rates and focus directly on the impact alarm systems have on residenial burglaries.”

The study noted that “technology innovations” have increased the availability of home security systems to middle‐class homeowners and that technology has made the systems more dependable. “Computers, printed circuits, digital communicators, and microprocessors have refined monitoring and signaling technology, and modern electronic sensors now include ultrasonic, infrared and microwave devices which were formerly available only in more sophisticated commercial and industrial applications” said Dr. Lee.

Researchers also pointed to an earlier study based on interviews with burglars (“Burglars on the Job 1994,” Northeastern University Press) to support their conclusions. That study concluded, “Most offenders, though, wanted to avoid alarms altogether and, upon encountering such devices, abandoned all thought of attacking the dwelling.”

EMC Home Entertainment Blog:
2010 Takes Television into a New Dimension

January 14, 2010

It is hard to believe, but in 1999, electronic manufacturers offered a 34” tube television that could display HDTV for $9000. Now, such devices are commonplace. The new hot items are flat-panel HDTV displays with 1080p and 240mhz. The question is, "What's next?"

Aside from the ability to download movies and TV content, some predict that the new “big thing” will be 3D television. Although it has been tried before, 3D has never looked impressive. It evoked only a brief “wow... neat” response, and then nothing. The required glasses just gave users headaches.

Jump to 2010. 3D technology has really improved and is very impressive. Just imagine watching a pass in a football game and feeling as if you could reach out and touch the football as it streaks by, or jumping back as a creature leaps from the shadows in a sci-fi movie, or simply watching the local weather map drip rain or snow in your living room.

3D programming will become available much more quickly than HD did in the early 2000s.

By this time next year, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games will all offer 3D versions, cable companies will offer 3D programming (DirecTV has already announced an all-3D channel in the second quarter of 2010) and, of course, Blu-Ray discs will have 3D versions of movies available. Also, computer screens will incorporate 3D technology so you can surf the net in 3D. This isn’t science fiction; it is reality. Once you see this technology, you will want it as well.

2010 will be year that consumers will be introduced to 3D entertainment that really works. Rest assured that EMC Home Entertainment will have these new electronics for you to see and have us install in your home. Get ready, because it is coming at you!

Learn How EMC Security Works

December 28, 2009

This video, introduced by EMC Security President Vince Raia, discusses the history of EMC Security and gives you an inside look in EMC's monitoring center. It describes in detail the features that set EMC Security apart from its competitors, including its redundant monitoring centers and highly-trained operators.

EMC Security Announces the Completion of Phase 1 of Monitoring Center Upgrade

December 1, 2009

EMC Security is constantly striving to provide their customers with the most advanced monitoring center technology available in the industry.

With the completion of phase 1 and 2 of their new redundant monitoring facility, EMC Security will be the first in Georgia to offer its customers full redundant monitoring protection. This means that EMC Security customers will be monitored in two locations simultaneously, at their Suwanee, Georgia facility and at their Gainesville, Florida monitoring location. Signals from a customer home or business will be directed to both locations, resulting in better response times and a reduced chance that important signals could be lost. In addition, redundant monitoring means that, if one center is compromised for any reason their alarm will be handled without delay. All functions of each center are constantly monitored by the other, resulting in a higher management level of operations in both centers. The new center will also allow EMC Security to offer its customers the latest new monitoring technologies, such as active video monitoring, two- way audio and offsite video storage.

The completion of the final phase in January will bring to a close a nearly $4MM dollar facilities upgrade of the Suwanee, Georgia and Florida facilities.

There’s an App for that?
Monitor and control your security system from a mobile device

November 30, 2009

What can’t a cell phone do these days?

Mobile devices like iPhones and Blackberries are now more computer than telephone. That opens up some interesting possibilities, one being monitoring and controlling your security system from anywhere in the world. Our security company, EMC Security, has the technology to do just that. “You can arm or disarm your system, get monitoring status messages or even real-time video right from your mobile device,” says Vince Raia, EMC Security president. “All you need is a high speed Internet connection at the location where the system is installed.”

Through alarm.com, this remote access is also available on any computer that’s connected to the Internet. Not only can you take a look at what’s happening whenever you want to check on things–information can also be pushed to your mobile device or computer when something happens. “In the event of an alarm activation, video can come to you automatically,” says Raia. But the system is not just for those trying to get in your home or business.There are other uses for people who are supposed to be there.

One use Raia advocates is monitoring the well being of older loved ones. Adult children can make sure their parents are up and moving through messages from motion sensors. Or sensors attached to medicine cabinets let them know that Dad’s taken his daily medications. “You can put a sensor on and monitor just about anything,” says Raia. There are two other features of an alarm.com system that are particularly noteworthy. First, the system’s connection to telephone communications is wireless. This thwarts phone lines being cut to disable the system’s monitoring. Second, with video installed, you are able to verify the validity of an alarm activation. This means law enforcement may respond much quicker.

Diane Riffel, owner of Octane Coffee Company uses alarm.com and their iPhone application to keep tabs on both her home and business. “With my iPhone, we get immediate messages if our alarm goes off. We also use the application to view activity–like what time the last person clocked out and armed the system or how early they got there in the morning. We can check the consistency of our employees opening and closing on time,” says Riffel. “It saves us a tremendous amount of time. To have such a quick response on our alarm system is fabulous. That’s critical to us.”

Congratulations to Ashley Harper

October 26, 2009

EMC Security would like to congratulate Ashley Harper for winning the Grill Dome drawing from the Taste of Jackson annual event. The Grill Dome is valued at more than $250. Ashley’s name was randomly drawn from more than 400 entries. Please be sure to visit EMC Security at the 2010 Taste of Jackson for another opportunity to win a great prize in the annual drawing! The event is annually held at the Commerce Civic Center in October and is organized and promoted by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

EMC Security Named Suwanee Gateway Business of the Month

October 14, 2009

EMC Security, owned by the electric utility companies of Jackson EMC, Walton EMC and GreyStone Power, has been named Suwanee Gateway Business of the Month for October.EMC relocated its home office to Suwanee in the first quarter of this year and wasted no time in reaching out to the community. They have become members of the Gateway PACT as well as the Gateway Business Alliance. With the opening of their new monitoring center, by the end of the year EMC will increase its staff by 30 percent, bringing new jobs to Suwanee.

EMC Security featured in Gwinnett Business Journal

October 11, 2009

EMC Security was recently chosen to provide a county-wide security monitoring solution for all of the Gwinnett County School system facilities, which included 115 elementary, middle and high schools, two charter schools, six mixed-use locations and a number of administration and maintenance facilities. The Gwinnett Business Journal has run a feature on this project in their October 2009 issue named "EMC Security protects Gwinnett County Public Schools."

One of the biggest challenges faced by school principals and administrators is building and maintaining a school culture that promotes safety and supports academic achievement. Experienced educators understand that a rational and balanced approach to school safety produces an environment that is perceived to be safe and secure, while not producing the perception of an institution in "lock-down."

Most businesses already incorporate security systems to protect the facilities when they are closed. Most have some degree of fire protection. Many are now using access control systems to better control movement in sensitive areas of the business, and video systems to help monitor the facility and to capture events that may need to be accessed by law enforcement at a later time.

Schools are now incorporating many of the technologies that businesses have used for years. Cameras have become commonplace in schools, protecting against theft, vandalism, identifying and tracking unauthorized persons on the premises and recording events that assist in identifying and disciplining student behavior issues. Most schools incorporate sophisticated intrusion alarm systems to protect school premises when they are empty.

EMC Security was recently chosen to provide a county-wide security monitoring solution for all of the Gwinnett County School system facilities, which included 115 elementary, middle and high schools, two charter schools, six mixed-use locations and a number of administration and maintenance facilities. The county wanted a local company, with a good reputation for service, which would incorporate the latest web-based technology to allow system administration access to alarm history, the ability to change user information and passcodes from anywhere, and reduce potential false alarm dispatch of responding police authorities.

EMC Security had such an internet based system that had been used successfully by many of its commercial and industrial customers, including other school systems, that they believed would be a perfect fit for the vigorous requirements of the Gwinnett County School System.

Read the full article at gbj.com.

Scam Alert: Look Out for Security and Electricity Company Imposters

May 13, 2009

Our members should be aware of several current scams in which con artists pose as security company or electric utility employees in order to take your money.

One is the summer security equipment scam, says Michael Morton, EMC Security sales manager. “Each summer, well-trained, nicely dressed college students travel to different neighborhoods posing as representatives of your security equipment manufacturer or even your security company. They claim your security equipment is scheduled for an upgrade. All you have to do is sign the paperwork, and they’ll get you set up,” Morton says. “After the monthly bills arrive, consumers realize they’ve signed up for a lengthy, expensive maintenance contract. Unfortunately, the contract is legal and often binding.”

Consumers often don’t realize they’ve been scammed because the scammers wear the equipment company’s logo, may have business cards and are very knowledgeable about their system. “By the time we get the call inquiring about the system upgrade contract they’ve signed, it’s too late.”

For example, if you have a General Electric® security system, a salesperson may come to your home as a representative of GE. He or she will explain that your equipment may be in need of an upgrade. The sales pitch is convincing. The scammer gives you papers to sign to confirm you want the upgrade, which most trusting consumers don’t read. Consumers usually don’t realize they’re in a contract for expensive payments until their first bill arrives.

“We ask customers to contact us if anyone comes to their home suggesting their security system equipment needs an upgrade, maintenance or any kind of work. Reporting this activity can save our customers hundreds, even thousands of dollars. While we can’t speak to practices of other security companies, EMC Security will never send someone out to your home unannounced or unsolicited.”

Phony Phone Calls

Other scam artists use the telephone and call stating that they are with the electric utility company. The scam artist tells the consumers that their electricity is about to be disconnected unless they make a credit card payment. Once the credit card number is given over the telephone, the perpetrators wire the money to a personal account. The consumers are usually unaware until they receive their credit card bills. This scam mostly preys on senior citizens.

Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC president/CEO, says members should never give their credit card information to anyone who calls them claiming to represent Jackson EMC. “Our customer service representatives are available to take credit card and automated check payments; however, we don’t call our members threatening to disconnect them unless they make an instant credit card payment,” notes Pugh. “In fact, members will receive a letter informing them that their account is past due before they receive an automated reminder call. We rely on the member to contact us to make the payment arrangements.”

We encourage you to contact us if you suspect someone is falsely representing themselves in person or over the telephone. Jackson EMC employees drive vehicles with Jackson EMC logos, wear Jackson EMC clothing and should be able to produce a company-issued identification badge, if requested. You can always contact your local district office to verify that employees are working in your area or have been sent to your home.

EMC Security Launches EMC Video Services

New technology provides affordable, high-quality video security via the Internet

March 19, 2009

Technology continues to change the way we live, work, and travel. It seems almost as soon as a need is discovered there is a way to address that need with technology. EMC Security, a Suwanee-based security integrator, is releasing a product to the metro Atlanta and north Georgia market in order to meet the growing demand of homeowners and small business owners that want a video feed from their property so they can check on children coming home from school, the safety and wellness of an elderly parent, the productivity and safety of employees, or the security of their home or business.

Until now, the available solution was "a pricey commercial grade system or a low quality web-cam" says Michael Morton, sales manager at EMC Security. EMC Security teamed up with a product manufacturer to develop and bring to market an inexpensive, high quality camera system that uses the customer's broadband connection to transmit a live video feed to a secure website. For a nominal monthly subscription, the system transmits and records specific events to an off-site video server which allows the customer to view and save recorded clips without the expense of purchasing a digital video recorder.

The technology is capable of sending live video to a customer's computer or web enabled mobile device. The customizable settings in the software enable the customer to establish recording rules for the camera system (i.e. record when the security system is set off or when there is movement in front of the camera). The software can then send a notification to the customer via e-mail or text message alerting them to the new recording. EMC Security expects this technology to be one of the fastest growing segments of the residential and small commercial security market because of the low cost, impressive video quality and high consumer demand.

EMC Security the Cover Story in JEMCO News

We're the cover story for this months JEMCO News, the monthly newsletter for Jackson EMC and their 200,000 plus members.

Here's a excerpt and a link to the story online – it's a great write up about our services and technology.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Always Great to Hear from Another Satisfied Customer

March 25, 2009

“Mr. Morton,

“I would like to take the time to acknowledge Ted Furth. Mr. Furth visited my home this past weekend to complete an install. He was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable of his work. My existing equipment was previously monitored by another company and he knew everything needed to complete his job and work around the obstacles. Mr. Furth not only removed his shoes upon entering my home (the pile of shoes at the front door alerted him that this is what my family does), but he offered to help me re-hang a back-up smoke alarm that was out of batteries and sitting off to the side. He even returned to my home a second time to make sure things were adequately working because my cable provider had not installed my telephone system properly.

“Unfortunately, I do not experience great customer service as much as I should these days; in fact, both times the cable company came out to my home, their representatives were rude, unfriendly and unknowledgeable about their work (hence the second visit). Frequently we complain about service and seldom do we commend; I wanted to take the time to commend and to let you know that my first experience with EMC Security was a pleasant one. I am happy to be a customer!

“Sincerely,
Tarcha B. – Suwanee, GA”

Welcome to Our New Website

February 15, 2009

Welcome to our new website. We're quite proud of it because it's a much more accurate reflection of who we are and provides us a better way to inform you about all that we can provide our customers. But this is just the beginning—we'll be adding more to this site in the coming weeks and months, including online videos, product images and case studies, information about what's happening in security and home technology across the country and much more.

We also have more exciting news going on. We're proud to announce that we have just moved into our new home offices which are more than four times bigger than our previous location. We're now located at 55 Satellite Blvd., NW in Suwanee, GA. It's a big step for us and, in many ways, a validation of the way we do business—providing the best security and technology available, giving every customer the best possible value, and backing it all with great customer service.

In the next few weeks, we'll add photos of our new offices as well as more information about how it will enable us to better serve you, our customer.

Please contact us if you have any questions at all—we'd love to hear from you. Thanks for your interest.

Vince Raia
President