March 06, 2023 | Licensing

Gastonia, NC Police Chief Proposes Verified Response

This from the NCSLVA:

Gastonia Police Chief Proposes Verified Response

On Tuesday February 21st , Chief Trent Conard appeared before the Gastonia City Council to ask them to approve enacting a false alarm reduction ordinance requiring verified response.

The proposed ordinance came as a surprise to the NCSLVA but the association responded swiftly by attending the meeting and representing all of the members of this association.

On behalf of all the members of the NCSLVA, President Tommy Whisnant also appeared before the council to ask that they refrain from enacting such an ordinance. President Whisnant said that "With verified response, average citizens will become first responders, putting their lives in danger", referring to several scenarios where an untrained individual becomes the first responder and in danger. Check out the video here: VIDEO link below

Instead he suggested that Gastonia follows the nationally recognized model ordinance, which is what Charlotte-Mecklenburg uses. Instead of penalizing all of the residents and businesses in Gastonia, other options are available to focus on the offenders by addressing the problem with increasing fines, required additional training, system upgrades and if necessary non response.

Actions such as verified response are not unique. However it is unusual in recent years for a police or sheriff’s department to approach a legislative body without consulting and discussing the issue with the alarm community.

The NCSLVA is asking for your help. The members of the association have to stand together united and oppose this proposal. Even if you don’t have any customers in Gastonia, if this proposal passes, a similar one could be coming to your local jurisdiction and affect you, your business and your clients.

Please write to the Gastonia City Council voicing your opposition to this proposal. We have placed a Sample Letter to the Gastonia City Council.docx below for your convenience.

Thank you,
Tommy Whisnant, NCSLVA President and NCSLVA Executive Board