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Guest Speaker
John O’Keefe (bow tie and all) introduced Frank Rojas from ACS Security as a security consultant. Mr. Rojas is also involved in the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Rojas has been with ACS for six years and previously with ADT. He claims there are a lot of property crimes like vehicle break-ins, but not physically violent crimes. The LAPD feels they are severely understaffed. Founded in 1984, ACS originally was focused primarily on patrol services. Now it offers a full umbrella of services like in-house sensors, installation of security equipment, monitoring, patrols, the frightening prospect of protection by Steve Day’s dog, etc.
Normally the criminals break into a sliding window in the back of the house. Mr. Rojas feels that glass sensors are a big impediment.
“Early detection” devices are their focus today. Perimeter detection and other sensors for bad people that come on the property, the idea being to try and catch the putz before he comes into the property. There are even Wi-Fi cameras being used by criminals which shut down Wi-Fi related cameras on the property.
Second floor break-ins are more common than most people think, especially with backyard balconies.
The first pillar of protection is the alarms. The second is patrols. The third is monitoring and video. The video allows them to have a conversation with someone on the property to determine their intent.
Security film covering is available in the market, but not offered by ACS, and it makes it harder for the window to break. This buys time.
Beware of anyone ringing the front door with a clipboard or phone and overalls with a construction hard hat.
If you’re going out of town, pack in the garage and not out on the driveway. Don’t post about the trip until you get back.
If power is cut off to the house, ACS will get an alert. Electrical panels should be locked. Properties being monitored are being watched from a central station, with A.I. being utilized to determine if the entry is a dog or raccoon or a person or a truck. Using proactive measures, they notify the local dispatch, which sends out a response first.
Signs do matter, but he advocates using a hybrid of measures, including cameras, lights, monitoring, patrols, internal traps, signs, lamp timer modules, the ability to talk to someone on the camera, etc. Criminals do take these items into consideration when they decide which property to break into.
Let your neighbors know if you’re going to be out of town. It’s a community effort.
Normally, criminals are in and out in three minutes, if the alarm goes off. Once they have left the property, it is out of ACS’s purview.
“Guns are not appropriate for everybody”. Mr. Rojas does not recommend getting a gun. “Guns are an important tool to protect" someone. He feels that guns are appropriate if you are adequately trained to use it while under severe duress.
Most break-ins take place when nobody is at home. (Good question from PP Ed Gauld.) A home invasion (when the owner is home) is a much different situation than a break-in (when the home is vacant).
There are different levels of patrol service, including an escort which permits a patrol car to meet a homeowner at the home to escort them into the house safely. It’s called the Concierge Patrol.
Early Detection Devices (EDDs) are excellent for detecting unauthorized access from alleys or rear backyards.
He considers dogs another item in the list of hybrid items, but not a solution by itself. Many dogs he has encountered are just big puppies that want to be pet.
Main targets are cash, jewelry, watches, and purses.
President Ben brought up Bill Roen, who talked about next week’s speaker, the West Project. It involves money distributed to Olympic athletes in minor sports. Our speaker will be Debbie Haliday, former Program Director for UCLA Women’s Basketball.
Beginning next week, phones must be muted, or it will result in a $25.00 fine each time they ring during the Club meeting. Of course, our President picked on the writer of this week’s Windmill, to which he responded, “Bring it on, brother!”
The meeting was adjourned, and with it, another wonderful week in the life of the
Westwood Village Rotary Club.
Respectfully submitted,
PP Mark Rogo
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