Community Resource Unit

Did You Know: 98% of all alarm calls received are found to be false alarms.

If you accidentally activate your alarm system, you should immediately notify your monitoring station. The ordinance allows the county to penalize any alarm subscriber who has more than four false alarms within a consecutive 12-month period. On the third alarm, the subscriber is sent a warning letter to request that corrective action be taken to stop further alarms. Beginning with the fifth alarm, the subscriber is charged $25 for each additional alarm. Beginning with the tenth alarm, the subscriber is charged $50 for each additional alarm. Beginning with the fourteenth alarm, the subscriber is charged $100 for each additional alarm, which is to be paid to the county tax collector within 14 days of receipt. If the civil penalty is not paid within the time prescribed in the citation, the appropriate personnel of the county may initiate a civil action in the nature of debt to collect such civil penalty.

There are several precautions you can take to help the Guilford County Sheriff's Office serve you better:

• Secure the premises: Be sure that all doors and windows are shut and locked before the alarm systems are armed.
• Maintain systems: Service systems regularly to guard against malfunctions. Periodically contact your monitoring company to stay informed of alarm activations. The Sheriff's Office is not responsible for informing you of system activations.
• Educate others: Be certain that family members and employees know how to properly operate the alarm. Be especially careful to let others know when the pass codes are changed.
• Send representatives: Police officers cannot thoroughly check your home or business if they cannot gain entry. Be sure that your monitoring company has a callout list of individuals who have keys to your property should you not be available to respond.
• Back-up batteries: Have your back-up batteries checked or replaced on a regular basis.
• For more information concerning the Alarm Ordinance or sheriff response, contact a District Office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• One of the most persistent problems facing local law enforcement today is the increasing demand for their services for responding to false alarms. Many local governments have passed legislation to help deal with the problem, including escalating fines for continued false alarms.

Businesses can help by:

• Maintaining their system - Faulty equipment is a major cause of unnecessary alarms. Simple routine maintenance is crucial to ensure any alarm system’s reliability. Check with your alarm installer or manufacturer to find out what maintenance schedule you should follow. One (1) or two (2) checks per year by an alarm system specialist may be all that is needed to guarantee proper operation.
• Training all users - Every system operator must be familiar with the system and properly trained in its use. All authorized users must know the code and be notified immediately when management has changed it. They must also know how to quickly notify the alarm monitoring company of an accidental activation.
• Develop a routine in arming the system - Before arming your system, be sure all doors and windows are closed and locked. Be sure no one is left on the premise. If someone will be remaining inside, make them aware that the alarm is being turned on. Finally, supply all system users with an alarm operator’s checklist.
• Additional tips - Keep your alarm company informed of any custodial or cleaning service personnel that may be in your home or business while you are away. Also, keep all motion detector sensors aimed away from heating vents or windows where they may falsely activate due to heat movement (no motion detectors should be used in households with pets such as cats or dogs that can roam about the house while you are gone).

Guilford County Code of County Ordinances - Alarm Systems

The Guilford County Sheriff's Office is the sponsor of Explorer Post 592, a law enforcement education and community service program chartered by the Boy Scouts of America. The Sheriff's Office follows the rules and guidelines set forth by the Boy Scouts of America for all youth organizations in the operation of Explorer Post 592.

Explorer Post 592 is a great way to learn about the law enforcement profession and begin the preparation process to become a law enforcement officer. Knowledge gained through training gives involved youth a better understanding of the roles that law enforcement officers play in our society.

The Explorer program is not only for those who wish to pursue careers in law enforcement, but also offers many opportunities in other areas as well. Involved youth learn leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and gain important perspective on their roles in our society.

Youth ages 12-18 are eligible for membership in the Explorer Post. Each Explorer is eligible to participate in the Post through the end of the summer following his/her 18th birthday, so long as the Explorer remains continuously enrolled in high school.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have parent’s permission.
• Must be enrolled in school (or actively home-schooled).
• Complete the GCSO’s two-week Summer Youth Academy within 12 months of Post membership.
• Must maintain a grade point average of 2.0.
• Must have not been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor, must not be under indictment for felony or serious misdemeanor, or on probation for any criminal activity.
• Must be willing to participate in training, public service, and social activities.
• Must be willing to obey all rules of Explorer Post 592, and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.
• Must be mentally and physically capable of participating in the community service and training activities of Explorer Post 592.

Explorer Post 592 normally meets on the third Tuesdays of every month at 6 to 8 p.m. Occasionally this schedule will be adjusted to meet training and service requirements. Any Explorer missing a meeting is required to notify his/her assigned squad leader in advance of the meeting. All Explorers should plan to commit at least 10 hours per month to Post activities, including meeting time.

Explorers are active in the community and perform a community service task monthly. Many times, these tasks are tied in to events requiring law enforcement presence.  Explorers can also expect to learn about and/or train in the skills required to perform law enforcement tasks, including:

• Patrol Tactics and Techniques
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Special Response Tactics
• Deadly Force Issues
• Courtroom Procedures
• Defensive Tactics
• Jail Operations
• Crime Prevention and Community-Oriented Policing

Contact Information: Sergeant A. Almonor | 336-641-5313 | aalmono@guilfordcountync.gov

The objective of Guilford County Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) is the support of the Guilford County Sheriff Office to expand their abilities to enhance the quality of the citizen’s life by reducing crime and the fear of crime. In keeping with the strong, prevailing sense of community, the organization is committed to providing proactive programs and support.

As private citizens volunteers will assist law enforcement officials on a volunteer basis with the realization that we are not a legal arm of the Guilford County Sheriff's Office. Honesty and integrity are required. We will display a positive moral and ethical image to the public at all times. Volunteers will be qualified without regard to: race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

The future is the community with VIPS, law enforcement officials, and citizens working together for the benefit of all.

Contact Information: Sergeant A. Almonor | 336-641-5313 |aalmono@guilfordcountync.gov

Historically during the summer months of the year certain types of crimes increase. Typically, there is an increase in automobile break-ins and thefts of lawn equipment. These are crimes of opportunity which means that they are preventable if you follow a few simple tips. Most of the automobile break-ins occur when the owner leaves the vehicle unlocked and something of value is left in the vehicle, usually in plain sight. These are preventable by simply locking your vehicle and hiding or removing valuables from your vehicle whether at home or at the store or gym.

Thefts of lawn equipment increase during the summer months and are also crimes of opportunity. Most thefts occur while the homeowner is at the residence out working in the yard. The garage door is left open or lawn equipment such as blowers and weed eaters are left out in the driveway. Thieves will prowl neighborhoods and grab unsecure lawn equipment from driveways, yards, or open garages while the unsuspecting homeowner is out working in the yard.

Please help stop these thefts by locking your vehicles and removing valuables from within the vehicle. Keep an outside light on illuminating your driveway and vehicles at night. Secure your lawn equipment in your garage and keep the garage shut and your house locked while you are in another area of the yard working or even when inside your home. By working together, we can reduce the opportunity for thieves to commit these crimes and make our communities a safer place for everyone.

A recent study of property crimes, including home and vehicle burglaries, showed nearly half of the events involved unlocked doors or car drivers who left valuables in plain view without locking their doors. Many of these crimes, and the resulting losses to the victims, can be prevented with some simple, common sense actions on the part of all of us.

Here are a few crime prevention tips to help keep us from becoming the victim of a burglary or theft:

• Not every car burglar working a parking lot is easily spotted. Be wary of anyone who seems to be suspicious.
• Remember to always secure your car doors when parking your vehicle, even for just a few minutes. It takes just a matter of seconds to enter an unsecured vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables, such as purses, cell phones, portable radios, packages, etc. in plain view inside your vehicle. Secure them in a glove box, center console, or even better in the trunk. Thieves will search other vehicles that are easier targets if they do not see anything of value in your car.
• Park in well lighted areas at night. Light is an enemy of thieves.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked at night. Many burglaries to garages occur with doors left wide open. An open garage door is an invitation to a thief to take anything in sight.
• Be suspicious of anyone approaching your vehicle or roaming your neighborhood.

Call the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, or Guilford Metro 9-1-1 Communications at 336-373-2222 to report anyone you believe is suspicious in your neighborhood or a parking lot.