Round Rock-based home security company Protect America has partnered with the Austin Police Department to sponsor part of a memorial motorcycle ride, to honor the memory of an officer who died on duty last year.

A group of police officers will depart on motorcycle in May to Washington, D.C. where law enforcement officials from across the world will gather to honor fallen officers and their families. Protect America has pledged $6,000 to pay for the motorcycle groups trip back to Austin.

Kris Clauson, Protect America vice president and co-founder, said the companys mission of safety and security goes hand-in-hand with its ties to the police department and donation.

Its important to bring awareness to the sacrifices police officers give on our behalf, he said. They are always here and they are out there putting lives at risk to keep us safe, to keep our families and houses safe so anything we can do to get the community to support them is important.

Another important drive behind the companys donating is its history with one of the officers who will be participating in the memorial ride.

APD officer William Norel worked for Protect America before joining the police academy in 2002 and reached out to the company for a donation, as officers must raise funds for a percentage of the trip. Fewer than 10 motorcycle officers are chosen each year to participate in the 10-day memorial ride and this is Norels first time participating in the trip.

The 2013 ride memorialized Jaime Padron, who was shot and killed in 2012 while on duty.

Protect America has been a very giving and generous company, Norel said. They have no just donated to our cause, but donated to a lot of causes. They are pro-police and very supportive.

Norel said the group of APD officers will be in Washington, D.C to honor Lt. Clay Crabb, who died while on duty in 2013. They plan to also assist his family and other families of fallen officers throughout the week.

Pretty much our main priority is to take care of (Crabbs) family and whatever needs they may have, he said. That includes picking (them) up from the airport and transporting (them) to the hotel.

See the original post here:
Round Rock security company supports memorial ride

by HAYLEY GUENTHNER & KREM.com

KREM.com

Posted on March 17, 2014 at 6:13 AM

Updated today at 12:35 PM

SPOKANE, Wash. -- A North Spokane man said signs advertising his home security system were not enough to deter some bold thieves. Security video shows a man approach the victim's door and steal and package. The video then shows him getting into the passenger's seat of a blue truck and drive away. The thief was wearing khakis and a hat.

"It's like a violatoin of my property. It's really annoying to know that people are bold enough to go this far,' said the victim. The victim said the package contained a $30 electric kettle. The victim lives on East Hoffman, and said he normally feels very secure on his block.

The victim said he is now looking for even better security cameras.

If you have any information, please call Crime Check.

Continue reading here:
Thieves steal package left in front of N. Spokane home

HESPERIA The San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to yet another fire that may be linked to zero-clearance fireplace, but a home security camera helped the residents of the home escape unharmed.

County Fire received a report of a house fire at the 8000 block of Kingston Avenue Hesperia on Friday just before 6 a.m., according to a County Fire news release.

The first engine arrived in six minutes and found light smoke coming from the right side of the house attic. Crews also noticed light smoke coming from the fireplace area.

Crews went to work removing the wall and ceiling drywall from the fireplace, master bedroom and bathroom areas. They found smoke and a smoldering fire in the attic insulation and near the zero-clearance fireplace.

Other units arrived and assisted with the extensive job of removing the burnt insulation and checking if the fire may have spread to the rest of the home.

The occupants of the home told investigators they were viewing their security camera video and noticed the fire outside of the home. They exited the home and used a garden hose to douse the attic area until firefighters arrived.

The blaze caused an estimated $40,000 worth of damage to the home, according to the release. No injuries were reported.

County Fire Capt. Al Franco said the fire started near the fireplace, but the exact cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation.

Eighteen firefighters responded with five engines, three ambulances, one battalion chief and one fire investigator.

Zero-clearance fireplaces are metal shafts surrounded by wood and other combustible materials. Unlike traditional brick fireplaces, they are not intended to accommodate large fires.

Here is the original post:
Security camera warns residents of fire

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Published: Friday, 14 Mar 2014 | 2:16 PM ET

Keyless smartlocks key to smart home

Jason Johnson, August co-Founder and CEO, discusses his home security smart lock that retrofits to your existing lock giving users access though their smartphone. CNBC's Jon Fortt provides insight.

A Bay Area start-up has just the thing for early adopters of smart-home accessories: wireless deadbolt locks.

San Francisco-based August plans to release a "smart lock" this year. Co-founder and CEO Jason Johnson told CNBC on Friday that he expects to ship the $199 product later this year, and the company aims for a seamless installation process akin to Nest's wireless thermostat.

August's smart lock, which resembles a hockey puck and comes in four colors, affixes to users' existing deadbolt locks from the inside of their doors. It does not require a wireless connection, and users will still be able to use their low-tech keys.

(Read more: The next battleground for tech companies is...)

A signal from a smartphone app opens the door. Homeowners can send these digital keys to friends and relatives through the app, and delete them as easily, Johnson said.

Source: August

August Smart Locks

Continue reading here:
Unlocking smart home with wireless locks

Published: Friday, 14 Mar 2014 | 2:16 PM ET

Keyless smartlocks key to smart home

Jason Johnson, August co-Founder and CEO, discusses his home security smart lock that retrofits to your existing lock giving users access though their smartphone. CNBC's Jon Fortt provides insight.

A Bay Area start-up has just the thing for early adopters of smart-home accessories: wireless deadbolt locks.

San Francisco-based August plans to release a "smart lock" this year. Co-founder and CEO Jason Johnson told CNBC on Friday that he expects to ship the $199 product later this year, and the company aims for a seamless installation process akin to Nest's wireless thermostat.

August's smart lock, which resembles a hockey puck and comes in four colors, affixes to users' existing deadbolt locks from the inside of their doors. It does not require a wireless connection, and users will still be able to use their low-tech keys.

(Read more: The next battleground for tech companies is...)

A signal from a smartphone app opens the door. Homeowners can send these digital keys to friends and relatives through the app, and delete them as easily, Johnson said.

Source: August

August Smart Locks

Originally posted here:
Unlock the smart home: Start-up eyes keyless doors

INDIANAPOLIS Terry O'Brien has security cameras around his home.

The drapes are drawn. Even during the day.

A stop is wedged under the door every night.

His wife is quick to call 911. A suspicious man with a flashlight? It was a neighbor walking his dog at night. A suspicious car? It belonged to a painter doing some work at the house next door.

O'Brien said life was not always like that.

A string of home invasions during the past few months, some horrifically violent and brutal, have provoked this response.

Such crimes drive that kind of fear into a neighborhood. Into a community. Because unlike a mugging in an alley or a holdup at a drugstore, home invasion strikes where people feel most protected. The sanctity of the home is violated.

Victims of home invasions can bear unimaginable grief and pain. The physical and emotional suffering can be profound. The fear can be overwhelming.

But one does not have to be a victim to be afraid. Neighbors can suffer to a degree, too. They sympathize with the victims. They fear for the victims. They fear for themselves.

The risk, experts in psychology and criminal justice say, is letting vigilance cascade into paralyzing fear. People must find a balance or risk being a type of victim themselves.

Excerpt from:
Scars from Indy home invasions run deep