KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** guards and remote monitoring issues May 28, 2026 ******************************* guards and remote monitoring issues ******************************* Ken The following question was asked, and my response follows:
I am reaching out today in an attempt to gather insight from industry professionals about implementing remote monitoring for public parking garages (particularly downtown Pittsburgh, in this case). We have several clients that are interested in replacing security guards in their public garages with remote monitoring from a central station. It has been challenging (to say the least) to find out what is required to accomplish this (and if it is even a possibility). I have spoken to neighboring businesses, inquired with the city, and thoroughly researched the topic and the ordinance/code, but still cannot confidently say what needs to be done to move forward. I would greatly appreciate any expertise, use cases, or lessons learned from the group that may help. I am happy to share more details with anyone that may be able to help. I just wanted to keep the initial post short to avoid wasting anyone’s time. Thank you in advance for any assistance. **** Here is Joe's response:
From my 1000 foot view, the issues are: * Guards are NOT reliable – at the least * Remote video is NOT reliable – at worst * We have utilized alarms with cameras for many car dealerships. Utilizing ‘talk down’ is advantageous and helpful BUT NOT THE TOTAL SOLUTION without a HUMAN response! So, ensure to manage the expectations or you WILL be tied up in COURT instead of sleeping! * BE SURE TO GET WITH KEN ON PROPER CONTRACTS OR FIGURE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS AS YOU WILL BE SUED!!! Just my 5-cents worth, used to be 2-cents, but with inflation and all. Respectfully, Joseph (Joe) Pfefer, President & Founder Jade Alarm Co. ******************************** Response ******************************** Remote video-audio monitoring to replace physical guards is becoming more popular, especially gate monitoring, so much so that K&K has a specific contract for that service [VIRTUAL REMOTE GATE GUARD MONITORING AND ACCESS CONTROL SERVICE], though the service is covered by the COMMERCIAL SECURITY ALL-IN-ONE. It would be terrific if the alarm industry and subscribers could rely on prompt predictable police and fire response, but as we all know its not always reliable. And prompt notification of an emergency condition and prompt request for response is essential and that is the job of the alarm industry. Alarms are indispensable and any argument against that statement has to be really complaining about the municipal response and not the alarm industry. Since most subscribers do not pay for, or get, guard response, they rely on municipal first responders response. Should be obvious, though multiple complaints about the services, especially response time or lack of response, defy common sense. That's why the industry must rely so heavily on the Kirschenbaum Contracts TM. That is becoming obvious and common sense too. *************************** STANDARD FORMS Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements. click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth ****************************** Getting on our Email List / Email Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. You can read articles and order alarm contracts on our web site www.alarmcontracts.com ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
