Application Story

Crook Catcher!

When Captain Danny Campbell, Commander of field services for the Greenville Alabama Police Department, needs technical assistance in the field of wireless products and services, he knows who to call – Burch Falkner of Falcon Direct!

The Greenville Police Department had a problem with burglaries, in particular with the concession stand at the ballpark and at the schools.  These locations in particular were repeatedly burglarized.  As in anyone in law enforcement knows, burglary stakeouts are expensive, hard on the officers, and generally inefficient.

The City of Greenville long ago had purchased a VARDA system that could electronically detect the presence of an intruder, and then dial the number at dispatch for response.  The problems with the VARDA system were numerous.  Frequent repairs were expensive.  Setup was time consuming and complicated.  By the time the calls were processed through dispatch, the intruder had generally done their work and departed without interruption.  Clearly, there had to be a better solution.

Captain Campbell remembered that Falcon Direct had developed a wireless calling system for courtroom security that could send a message directly over the law enforcement radio channel.  He asked if the device, known as a Companion, could be modified for connection to a motion detector and used for surveillance purposes.

Within a few weeks, two of the new units, known as The Companion-MD were delivered to the Greenville Police Department.

The new Companion-MD incorporates a highly efficient heat sensing motion detector, similar to those used by the military.  An adjustable viewing area allows the officer to concentrate on an entry point, a specific area such as a cash register or safe, or both.  The motion detector, technically known as a PIR (Passive Infra-Red) device, is connected directly to a radio transmitter tuned for operation on the Greenville Police Department radio frequency.

When activated, the Companion-MD sends a voice message to all on-duty personnel announcing the location. Standard 10-Codes are used to avoid reception by scanners.

If the power goes off, the Companion-MD will send a message, both when power is disrupted and when restored.  An internal battery assures operation even when there is no AC power.  Two models are available for VHF or UHF operation in both standard ($549) and high power versions ($995).  Additional information is available by calling Falcon Direct at 1.800.489.2611.

Oh, by the way, the intruders at the concession stand and the school were quickly apprehended through the use of the Companion-MD.  Cases closed (these two at least)!

                                        36 - 20th Avenue NW - Birmingham, AL 35216 - Phone 1.800.489.2611

Copyright 2005 - Falcon Direct, Inc.
This page was last updated on 01/25/2007