Local California alarm assoc. installs system at women's center

CALABASAS, Calif.--The Southern California Security Association is an industry group that doesn't just support its members--it also helps the local community. In July, the Ventura County Police Department approached the SCSA with a wish list from a local women's resource center requesting an alarm system. "The sheriff's deputy asked if our association could help in the matter," said Vince Nigro, owner of Vital Services, a security installation company here, and past president of the SCSA. The association discussed the request at its next board meeting and "overwhelmingly approved it," Nigro added. Companies that belong to the association donated the alarm system, which included motion detector equipment, to the Conejo Valley Women's Resource Center. The center never had a break-in, but people who worked there wanted an alarm system to secure the property. Members of SCSA put their daily routine aside and volunteered for a day to install the system at the organization, Nigro said. The community service did not stop at the end of the installation. A monitoring firm affiliated with the association provided the center with free monitoring. "The alarm system will be monitored by the National Monitoring Center," Nigro said. After the installation, Stephen Marvin, president of the SCSA noted that everyone who volunteered on the project felt good to give back to the community. The association does get public requests on occasion and "if the request is a worthy cause, we will find a way to make it happen," Nigro said. Not only does the association foster relationships with not-for-profits, but it also believes in communicating with the local law enforcement community. The two entities are a team. "It's a great demonstration of working with law enforcement and building that bridge," Nigro said.