Wheatfield, NY, To Install Sentralock Devices on Emergency Response Vehicles

March 27, 2012
Sheriff's office to control and document any access into a building through the use of Knox Box keys.

March 27--WHEATFIELD, NY -- In an effort to calm Knox Box security fears of small group of residents, the town has approved the purchase of Sentralock, a master key retention device.

The device would be installed on all emergency response vehicles that serve the town. It will only be able to be opened by an electronic tone sent by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office's dispatch. The sheriff's office would control and document any access into a building through the use of Knox Box keys.

"We have never been able to identify an incident where a volunteer firefighter used a Knox Box key to secure improper entry into any building in New York state ... but this is a good way to keep everyone comfortable," Councilman Art Gerbec said. "It's a win-win situation."

The new devices, which will be owned by the town, will cost about $20,000, Gerbec added.

"It's a little more secure and it's well worth the few bucks for the town," Supervisor Robert Cliffe said, while noting this will be a one-time purchase and installation could begin very soon.

Copyright 2012 - Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.