Once a year, the forces of government that most affect our industry converge — and you are invited to attend. The leadership of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), International Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA), and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officers (APCO) come together at the CSAA annual meeting to work with the security industry on areas of concern.

On November 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 674 to repeal the “Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005,” legislation that imposed burdensome new requirements on government vendors and agencies.

The Security Industry Association (SIA), Alexandria, Va., announced the appointment of its next chief executive officer (CEO). SIA Government Relations Director Don Erickson was named CEO at the annual board of directors meeting on Tuesday.

CPI Security System’s Darryl Parker was chosen by the IQ Certification Board to fill out the remainder of the term of Michael Allen who resigned.

Bob Bean, vice chairman and director of Alert Alarm of Hawaii, was named president of CSAA during its annual meeting. Bean, who takes the helm from Ed Bonifas, vice president of Alarm Detection Systems, is the 31st central station monitoring professional to hold this position. He will serve in this capacity for the next two years.

In 2010, there were an estimated 2,159,878 burglaries — a decrease of 2.0 percent when compared with 2009 data, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Investigation in its “Uniform Crime Reports: Crime in the United States 2010,” released in September of this year. It’s just one data point of many that comprise a trend of diminishing crime in general.

Security Networks, West Palm Beach, Fla., expanded its footprint into Puerto Rico, partnering with Alarm Zone, doing business as Island Security. With this partnership Island Security will market and install Security Networks products and services while Security Networks will assume the monitoring and warranty service on the accounts.

In a letter to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), the Security Industry Association (SIA), Alexandria, Va., expressed opposition to the proposed OGE amendment limiting gifts from registered lobbyists and lobbying organizations. SIA believes the rule as written will severely limit the ability of federal government employees to participate in certain educational programs that meet the mission of their agencies.

World Wide Security, Garden City, N.Y., announced that CapitalSource Bank increased its revolving line of credit from $5 million to $8 million.

Winsted Corporation, Minneapolis, expanded its custom console capabilities with the launch of a new division. Winsted Custom Wood will focus on manufacturing custom cabinetry and millwork for control room installations.