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Date: |
October 27, 2026 |
01 |
Title
Sheriff - Receive Donation from ADT Inc. for Computer-Aided Dispatch Enhancement (Districts: All)
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Overview
County of San Diego (County) Administrative Code Article III, Section 66, Acceptance of Gifts, and Board of Supervisors Policy A-112, Acceptance and Use of Gifts and Donations, provide a process for accepting gifts by the administrative heads of each department in the County, subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors. This is a request to accept a donation from ADT Inc. (ADT) valued at $41,080 to install and integrate computer-aided dispatch enhancement software on San Diego Sheriff’s Office systems.
Body
Recommendation by Sheriff:
1) In accordance with County of San Diego Administrative Code Article III, Section 66, Acceptance of Gifts, and Board of Supervisors Policy A-112, Acceptance and Use of Gifts and Donations, accept a donation of computer-aided dispatch enhancement software installation and integration valued at $41,080 from ADT to the San Diego Sheriff’s Office.
2) Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and the County of San Diego to ADT.
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Equity Impact Statement
The implementation of the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol software is expected to improve equitable access to emergency response services across all communities served by the Sheriff’s Office. By reducing dispatcher call volume and hold times, the enhancement helps ensure quicker response availability for high‑priority emergencies. Streamlining alarm call processing also decreases administrative burden on dispatchers, enabling them to focus their attention on critical safety needs experienced by residents of San Diego County, which includes members of vulnerable populations.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s Board actions to accept the donation from ADT Inc. support the County’s Sustainability Goals, including providing just and equitable access and engaging the community. The implementation of Automated Secure Alarm Protocol software strengthens regional emergency response capacity by reducing dispatcher workload, shortening call processing times, and increasing availability for high‑priority incidents. This directly supports community safety by ensuring faster, more efficient emergency coordination for all residents. Additionally, this implementation supports our workforce by decreasing repetitive administrative tasks handled by dispatchers. This enhancement supports organizational excellence and continuity of operations. Dispatchers can remain focused on critical, higher‑value emergency needs, aligning with the County of San Diego’s goal to invest in workforce efficiency and operational readiness.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with today’s request to accept a donation from ADT Inc. valued at $41,080 to install and integrate computer-aided dispatch enhancement software on San Diego Sheriff’s Office systems. Future ongoing costs, such as annual maintenance, will be included in future Operational Plans for the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
N/A
Advisory Board Statement
N/A
Background
The San Diego Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s Office) accepts tangible and monetary donations to help support its mission of providing the highest quality public safety services to everyone in San Diego County. These donations support the Sheriff’s Office in improving the delivery of services that support law enforcement, quality of life, community partnerships, engagement, and emergency response.
Emergency services dispatchers at the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center (ECC) answer over 700,000 emergency and non-emergency calls annually and serve as the critical link between the community and emergency responders. Dispatchers receive and process calls for service, gather important information, prioritize incidents, and coordinate the appropriate law enforcement resources.
When an alarm company receives a burglary or panic alarm activation from a residence, business, or school within the Sheriff’s jurisdiction, an alarm company representative makes a phone call to dispatchers to provide pertinent information regarding the alarm. These telephone calls can take several minutes each, causing longer hold times for community members waiting to speak to a dispatcher, and tying up dispatchers. In 2025, Sheriff’s dispatchers received and entered more than 14,000 alarm calls; a large majority of those alarm activations were false. Since dispatchers must remain available to handle emergency and high-priority calls, reducing administrative tasks can help ensure they are available when the public needs them most.
Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) software was created by The Monitoring Association (TMA), a professional association of alarm companies. The software is installed and integrated with the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems of ECCs and can send detailed alarm information to an ECC without ever having to speak with a dispatcher. The alarm activation is transmitted digitally and automatically sends a request for service directly into a dispatcher’s CAD system. With the installation and implementation of ASAP software, alarm companies would no longer need to make phone calls to dispatchers. This automated process would significantly reduce the time and effort required by alarm companies while also reducing the number of calls handled by dispatchers. Most importantly, this would allow dispatchers to remain available to answer higher-priority calls and focus their attention on more critical public safety needs. Currently, 80% of alarm monitoring companies use ASAP software, therefore, a significant reduction of phone calls can be expected.
ASAP is offered free to ECCs that answer and process alarm activations, but there is a cost associated with the installation and integration. ADT Inc. is an American security company that has been in business for over 150 years. It operates six U.S.-based monitoring centers and protects nearly six million customers. ADT Inc. is covering the cost for ASAP software to be installed and integrated on Sheriff’s systems, valued at $41,080.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the Empower, Community, and Sustainability Strategic Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by accepting and using donations to invest in our workforce to ensure continuity of operations remains at its best, implementing proven best practices to achieve organizational excellence, and maximizing resources through community partnerships to benefit the region.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelly A. Martinez
Sheriff
Attachment
Letter of Appreciation to ADT Inc.