Alarm Permit Mistake Leads to Traumatizing Ordeal for Charlotte Homeowner
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Imagine your home security alarm going off in the middle of the night and learning someone had broken into your home, but you were not able to get help from your alarm company. A northeast Charlotte man reached out to WBTV for help after he said it happened to his family.
A Terrifying Night
“Everyone’s in the house asleep,” said George Allen, who lives in the College Downs neighborhood in University City. “The alarm goes off, saying basement door open.” Allen says it was just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16.
“I get up, put on my pants, grab my weapon, step in my shoes, and by that time, the alarm company is calling me,” said Allen.
With his heart racing, Allen made his way outside to investigate the basement door. The agent on the phone asked him if he wanted the police to respond.
“And I’m telling him don’t call yet,” said Allen. “Let me check and make sure because I left the door open.”
But when Allen realized the door was actually locked, he knew there was someone in his house. Despite his plea for help, the agent told him he had to dial 911 himself because his permit was not valid.
Permit Problems
Allen’s permit for his alarm system was supposed to be active, but the alarm company informed him otherwise. When police were finally on their way, a woman emerged from the basement with some of Allen’s possessions in hand.
“Immediately I said, ‘Get on the ground, get on the ground,’” Allen recalled. “She gets on the ground, and I make her dump everything out of her purse and put everything down.”
Allen’s wife stayed on the phone with dispatchers until police arrived. It was only later that they could begin to process what had happened.
Resolution
As the couple sought answers from the alarm company, they discovered that there had been a mistake regarding the validity of Allen’s alarm permit. Despite assurances that the permit was indeed valid, the company failed to act in time.
After WBTV began investigating the incident, the alarm company, Brinks Home Security, offered Allen six months of free monitoring. Unsatisfied with the response, Allen requested a full refund of what he had paid for monitoring, along with a year’s worth of free monitoring.
Brinks Home Security has since honored Allen’s request and apologized for the distressing experience. They have ensured that such an incident will not happen again in the future.
Lessons Learned
Allen and his wife hope that by sharing their story, they can encourage all homeowners to check their alarm permit policies and local ordinances to avoid similar situations.
CMPD advises homeowners to ensure their alarm permits are up to date and that they are in compliance with local regulations. In certain circumstances, they can send police response to an alarm call without an active permit.
It’s essential for homeowners to understand their responsibilities regarding alarm permits to ensure the safety and security of their homes.
Conclusion
The incident faced by George Allen and his family serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that alarm permits are valid and in compliance with local regulations. It also highlights the need for alarm companies to act swiftly and responsibly in times of emergency.
As the Allen family seeks to move past this traumatic ordeal, they hope that their story will raise awareness and prompt other homeowners to review their alarm permit policies to avoid similar distressing experiences.
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