How do YOU do stake outs

How do YOU
do stake outs?

The old fashioned way with an officer and a vehicle tied up for hours on end? Do you use video recorders? How about radios? Radios? How do radios provide surveillance? That's a good question and you're going to LIKE the answer! Before giving you our answer, let us explain that we are dealing with inside requirements (stores, churches, schools, etc.), not outside. We would like to provide surveillance of meth labs and pot fields, but for now we will deal with stores and offices.

We don't have to tell you that the bad guys have targets of opportunity or where they are. You already know that. The trick is to be able to monitor multiple premises with limited personnel. That's where we come into the picture. Several months ago we were asked if we could provide a simple wireless court room call assistance device. We did that. It was called a Courtroom Companion. A little later a church pastor asked us for a similar device for use in a one person office. The same product was used so we shortened the name of the product to The Companion. In both of these examples, the call for help was transmitted to another person on the premises who was equipped with a 2-way radio. The concept was simple. The person in distress using a wireless radio call box, simply pushed a button. This activated a pre-recorded message that was transmitted to another person equipped with a 2-way radio.

Our system worked well, but we found the real need was to transmit these calls for assistance to a participating law enforcement agency. The Companion call box was available in either VHF or UHF, programmable on any desired frequency, either wide or narrow band, even with CTCSS or DCS. The price was reasonable (still is) at just $349 but we had two basic problems. First, many of our original church users and small offices or stores did not have a person equipped with a compatible 2-way radio. Even those that could afford the cost of the radio often did not have the second person available. The need for a coordinated partnership between the private sector and law enforcement proved to be a requirement that could be addressed with a totally new program

The new program, known as the Companion Community Service Program (CCSP). We went to several cities in the southeastern USA to work with us in developing CCSP. The City of Evergreen, Alabama has been a valuable partner in helping us develop a workable plan. Contacts with the local merchant community, other municipal agencies, and even the FBI gave us valuable insight into the requirements of a system that could cut police response time in half. A recent study conducted by The Boston Globe. indicated that nationwide, only 35 percent of fire departments were able to meet the six-minute goal in 2002, compared to 75 percent in 1986, when alarm times first began to be collected. Police response times, regrettably are often worse than fire responses. A direct alarm system to the dispatch center and/or local patrol vehicles reduces the delays associated with private alarm monitoring companies and normal call processing by departmental dispatch or 911.

In the process of discussing the system with merchants, it was agreed that the extra level of support would be worth a one time cost of $500 to the business community. Accordingly, the cost to a merchant/user is now $499 with all sales and service handled by Falcon Direct. This partnership between the business community, law enforcement, and Falcon Direct has significant benefits for all concerned. There is no monthly charge to the user and for every unit purchased, Falcon Direct makes a $150 contribution to the participating law enforcement agency. This money is used to enhance and maintain the departments communications system. In short, CCSP is a win-win program for everyone!

In the process of communicating with others, we learned that as good as our system was, there were areas for improvement. For example, many convenience and retail stores routinely had a person at the cash register and another person in the back. They asked us if it would be possible to provide a dual function calling unit. What was required was a standard push button unit similar to the original Companion at or near the register and a wireless pendant that would allow activation of the calling unit from anywhere on the premises. The result was a second model known as Companion II. This new unit had a pushbutton calling box and a wireless pendant with associated receiver. Utilization of commercially available security alarm devices allowed us to offer the Companion II for only $650 for both the pushbutton calling box, the wireless panic button and the control receiver.

On a trip to Mississippi, we were showing our new system to the Police Chief in Forest, MS. He asked us if it would be possible to add some type of motion sensor the Companion II instead of a panic alarm button. If so, it would be possible to quickly set up a portable surveillance system at a fraction of the cost of the old Varda and/or Bell & Howell systems. The result was the product now known as WatchTalk.

After experimenting with various types of motion sensors and various ways of packing the system, we concluded that it should be a single, self contained device capable of operating either on AC or battery power. The cost target was to be under $500 and we would use the same technology incorporated in the Companion II system. We are delighted to announce that we have finished the WatchTalk and it is ready to be put into service in YOUR community for just $499 complete! Setting the WatchTalk is as simple as setting it up, aiming the motion sensor toward the entry area. plugging in the AC cord and turning it on.

You will have up to one minute to clear the area. A test message will automatically be send to indicate arming of the device, and it's ready to work for you - no breaks, no overtime, no problems. If someone enters the area, a message will be broadcast directly to your police radio. In the event of an entry, you will receive the following message - Location 12, Code 31 (or other message of your choosing.

If you would like additional information or a demonstration, just give us a call at 1.800.489.2611. You'll be glad you did!

User information. Products sold by Falcon Direct are warranted to be technically compliant with the manufacturers specifications. No other warranty relative to use of the equipment or related service, when applicable, is expressed or implied. Falcon Direct makes no claim for suitability or fitness of users purpose or application. Falcon Direct is not responsible for claims arising from the use of equipment or services provided by or through Falcon Direct in which there are losses attributed to the use or application of equipment and/or related services. User agrees to these terms as a condition of purchase.

36 - 20th Avenue NW- Birmingham, AL 35215