Good news! The NJBFAA supported licensing legislation, A-2394, was released from the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee on May 6, 2010.  NJBFAA President, Rich Trevelise, delivered testimony on behalf of the Association. You can listen to the hearing by going to:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/archive_audio.asp?SESSION=2010

And click on Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (archived) hearing.

Rich's testimony is here if you care to review it.

We will be working with the sponsor, Assemblyman Prieto, to advance the bill
to the Assembly floor, and then through the Senate.

Minn. AG sues AMP Alarm over 'bait-and-switch tactics'
AMP CEO 'categorically denies the unfounded allegations'
By Martha Entwistle - 05.20.2010

OREM, Utah—AMP Alarm CEO Allen Bolen told Security Systems News this week allegations of unethical sales tactics levied in a lawsuit by the Minnesota Attorney General are false. The lawsuit took the summer sales-model company by surprise, AMP’s outside legal counsel Hal Reiser said, because AMP had resolved any known concerns in Minnesota and the AG failed to respond to numerous information requests from the summer-model company before filing the lawsuit.

“AMP alarm categorically denies the unfounded allegations made by the Minnesota Attorney General and will vigorously defend against those accusations,” Bolen said in a comment prepared for Security Systems News. “Despite AMP Alarm’s repeated and specific requests since last fall to the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, the Attorney General [did not provide names of customers or other information] prior to filing its lawsuit.”

The lawsuit, filed May 11 by Minnesota AG Lori Swanson, alleges that AMP targeted elderly residents and used high-pressure “bait-and-switch tactics.”

“In some cases, AMP falsely told consumers it was affiliated with their current alarm company or that its alarm systems were free, without disclosing ... long-term monitoring contracts.”

The lawsuit says AMP Alarm salespeople failed to inform consumers of cancellation policies, showed up at homes late at night, walked into homes without invitation, refused to leave until the homeowner signed a contract, and otherwise intimidated consumers.

“Senior citizens often fear for their personal safety at home ... Some companies exploit these safety concerns by using high pressure sales tactics to deceptively peddle costly products,” Swanson said in a statement.

Bolen said that the lawsuit refers to “five unidentified AMP customers out of nearly 5,000 Minnesota customers.” AMP made “repeated and specific requests since last fall” to the AG asking for information about consumer complaints. The AG provided information about two customers, Bolen said. “AMP immediately and successfully resolved the complaints of those two customers. Other than those two customers, the AG had not provided written complaints ... or any other information to AMP Alarm concerning its allegations ... prior to filing its lawsuit.”

Reiser said in an interview that AMP had been able to identify two additional customers with concerns in recent days, and it had resolved those concerns. “Sometimes, it’s as simple as explaining how to use the security systems,” Reiser said.

“I don’t think there’s any customer service issue AMP can’t resolve,” Reiser said. “Give us the information and we’ll resolve it promptly and in good faith.”

Bolen said that AMP informs all of its customers about cancellation policies; all AMP customers are “repeatedly well-informed” about contract services and prices. In addition, before, during and after the sale, all customers have “at least four separate opportunities for the customer to discuss and understand the contract and alarm monitoring services provided by AMP Alarm.”

“AMP alarm has never targeted the elderly or any other particular demographic in its marketing. The average age of an AMP Alarm customer in Minnesota is 52 and the average age for all AMP Alarm customers is 51,” Bolen said. AMP sells across the nation without demographic information about any potential customer, he said. The company sells to homeowners who need and want 24-hour monitoring protection. “All homeowners, irrespective of age, are vulnerable to fire, assault and burglary and ever-increasing threats to life and property,” he said.

Reiser said he was confident that AMP would be able to resolve the lawsuit. He said AMP counsel in Minnesota was in discussions with the AG about “assurances of future and ongoing compliance ... we don’t want any dissatisfied customers.”

NJBFAA 2010 Symposium Hits the Jackpot with Record Numbers
of Attendees, Exhibitors and Training Classes

The alarm industry in New Jersey hit the jackpot this year as the New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NJBFAA) 2010 Symposium held in Atlantic City continued to grow strong, surpassing expectations and providing a well rounded convention filled with attendees, exhibitors, training, important guests and camaraderie.

Held January 27-29 at the Tropicana Hotel, the 2010 Symposium shattered attendance records with more than 600 people attending the training, Expo, and General Meeting.

With the August 2010 licensing deadline quickly approaching, the three-day event was built around training and license renewal. The association offered 21 training classes, for a total of 16 NJ-Approved CEUs, allowing many of the NJBFAA members to complete their training requirements.

Classes ranged from technology, legal and sales sessions and included courses such as Basic Alarms and Card Access, Electricity 101, Six Sigma for the Security Industry, Fire Alarm Inspection Test and Maintenance of Existing Systems, NFPA 72 – The National Fire Code, The Art of Buying and Selling an Alarm Company and Customer Needs Focused Selling. Classes were given by well-known industry veterans including Bob Shoremount, Eric Pritchard, Esq, Jeffrey Zwirn, John Drucker and Joe Russotto.

Outside of each training class, fingerprint biometric machines were placed to help streamline the state-required sign in process. This gave each member an opportunity to interface with technology that relates to the security industry and to add to their company’s offerings.

The Expo portion of the symposium also was increased dramatically. The 28,000 square foot expo floor area was over 4 times the size of the venue in 2009. The floor was filled with 62 vendors, nine carving stations, and five open bar areas. A total of $10,000 in door prizes was raffled to attendees.

The ESA (formally NBFAA) supported the NJ state association with representatives attending the Symposium. On the tradeshow floor, ESA distributed important industry information, and spent some one-on-one time with the members. They helped close the General Meeting with a reminder of all the benefits of belonging to ESA and the NJBFAA.

“We are truly proud of the dedication and collaboration of every member of our association who attended the Symposium and who helped in making it possible,” said Chris Mack, NJBFAA president. “I’d like to add a special thanks to ESA for their support, attendance and encouragement.”

The last day of the event included the NJBFAA General Meeting Session and Luncheon. A new Board of Directors was elected, and prominent members of the Association were recognized.

Ira Hosid from I.R.A Security was voted Dealer of the Year, Joe Camarata from Mid-Atlantic Reps was chosen as Associate-Member of the year. From the public sector, the NJBFAA recognized Chief John F. Lightbody of Ocean County, NJ and special guest, the Honorable Vincent Prieto was the recipient of the NJBFAA Distinguished Public Service Award. The final presentation honored Chris Mosley, past president and owner of Complete Security Systems with the President’s Award.

“The 2010 Symposium was well run and the training classes were top-notch,” said attendee Bill Chernack, owner of Alarms Plus of Flanders, NJ. “The association did a phenomenal job of putting on one of the most professional and well attended conventions I have been to. As an alarm company owner, I received more than I could have hoped for, especially being able to complete the licensing requirements.”

NJBFAA Bestows Awards to Recognize Leadership, and Dedication

During the recent and successful New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NJBFAA) Annual Symposium, several statewide awards were bestowed on deserving individuals to recognize leadership and dedication to the industry.

The awards were given during a special membership luncheon held Friday, January 29.

Alarm Dealer of the Year
The first award, Alarm Dealer of the Year, was presented to Ira Hosid, of Paramus-based IRA Security Systems. Hosid, who is celebrating his 40th anniversary in the business, was chosen for putting family first, a decision he made at the inception of his alarm career. The basis for his business plan was not to be the largest alarm company in New Jersey, but to make sure there was time to go to family affairs. The ‘mom and pop’ business flourished, and now maintains around 1,000 monitored accounts.

During Hosid’s ‘free time’, he is an active member of BARA, Bergen County Amateur Radio Association, which provides communications during disasters, and helps organizations such as the Red Cross both in N.J. and the country.

Hosid always tries to help anyone in the business with service/installation problems. He has never missed an NJBFAA meeting or trade show since joining many years ago,” commented NJBFAA president and emcee Chris Mack.

Associate Member of the Year
The Associate Member of the Year Award went to Joe Camarata of Mid-Atlantic Representatives. Born and raised in Woodbridge, Camarata received a Bachelor of Science degree in electronic engineering technology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mid-Atlantic Representatives, owned by David Lund, has been a well respected industry supporter for over thirty years. Joe joined Mid-Atlantic in September 2006, and is a proud member of the NJ chapter of InfraGARD, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the private sector, including businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States. He is also a member of CERT – the Community emergency response team, which serve as first responders to any manmade and natural.

NJBFAA Frank Smith Memorial Award
The recipient of the NJBFAA Frank Smith Memorial Award for Public Safety was Chief John Lightbody, who currently serves as Toms River Township Fire Prevention & Protection Officer, as well as Toms River Township’s Fire Subcode Official.

Lightbody received the award for serving tirelessly on numerous committees at the state level, most recently supporting the inclusion of sprinklers in residential housing. He has received numerous state and local accommodations and awards and is an adjunct instructor at Ocean County College, teaching fire and building courses. Lightbody is the proud second generation of firefighters, and the father of the third generation – his son, John F.

NJBFAA Distinguished Public Service Award
The Honorable Vincent Prieto was the recipient of the NJBFAA Distinguished Public Service Award. Since 2004, Assemblyman Prieto has proudly represented the 32nd district, which encompasses Hudson County, serving as the deputy majority whip of the General Assembly, and chairman of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee. He is a construction code official, and served on the Secaucus Planning Board.

“Prieto is in a unique position to fully understand and support the work of the members of NJBFAA and has agreed to champion new legislation that addresses several flaws from the original licensing law,” said Mack, who thanked Prieto for coming to Atlantic City to participate in the convention. “We look forward to working with him this session towards passage of this important measure.”

President’s Award
The final presentation honored Chris Mosley of Complete Security Systems with the President’s Award. Chosen by the NJBFAA President, Chris Mack, he selected Mosley for going above and beyond the call of duty, and serving the NJBFAA and the industry by providing advice and assistance. Mosley recently served as NJBFAA president for two years and is currently the representative to the Electronic Security Association.

Paramount to Chris’s success has been the importance of family and community. Chris gives tirelessly to the Marlboro community, having served as fire chief, past chairman of the Monmouth County Ducks Unlimited, service to the Marlboro Township Office of Emergency Management, and currently chairman of the board of the Community YMCA.

“Chris is a leader in the community, trusted advisor and friends, father, wife and son -- and a staunch industry supporter – both at the state and national levels,” said Mack.

The NJBFAA Symposium was held January 27-29 at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City.

More News >> 2009