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COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIMENT REDUCES FALSE ALARMS

NCJ Number
40146
Journal
Security World Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1977) Pages: 22-23
Author(s)
J FLYNN
Date Published
1977
Length
2 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C EMERGENCY VOICE COMMUNICATION STREET ALARM BOXES (EVC), WHICH HAVE PROVEN TO BE OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE IN IMPROVING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND REDUCING CRIMINAL FALSE ALARMS.
Abstract
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 111 EVC BOXES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA. UNITS FOR THE EVC SYSTEM ARE HOUSED IN THE FAMILIAR RED COTTAGE-SHAPED BOXES, AND CONSIST OF A TELEPHONE-LIKE HANDSET. CALLS FROM THE EVC UNITS ARE RECEIVED INITIALLY BY THE DISPATCHER AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO CAN THEREBY DETERMINE THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY AND SEND PROPER EQUIPMENT AND PERSONEL TO THE SCENE. THE EVC UNITS HAVE RESULTED IN A 90 PERCENT DECREASE IN FALSE ALARMS IN THE WORST FALSE ALARM SECTIONS OF THE CITY. WHILE FALSE ALARMS HAVE DROPPED, THE USE OF THE BOXES FOR LEGITIMATE POLICE AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES HAS INCREASED ON A MONTHLY BASIS....DMC