About Us – Press

When professional engineer Peter Lowitt started his own alarm and security business back in 1969, it was a part-time venture with three employees working out of the basement of his Jericho home.

"Back then I was a witness to tremendous growth on Long Island in both the residential and business communities and I had a hunch there would be an increasing need to safeguard and protect those investments," Lowitt recalled.

Today, 38 years later, it appears Peter Lowitt's instincts were correct. Lowitt Alarms and Security Systems Inc. (Hicksville) has blossomed into one of the largest firms of its kind in the New York Metropolitan region. It currently serves 50,000 Long Island customers by utilizing the latest anti-theft technology as well as offering protection against emergencies like fire, burglary, flooding and carbon monoxide.

The firm is still family owned and operated with founder Peter Lowitt as president, his son Andy Lowitt, vice president, and Peter's wife, Vita Lowitt, serving as chief financial officer. Mark Spechler, also a family member, serves as vice president of operations.

Since its humble beginnings, the company has successfully blended the combination of quality customer service and the latest in technology to fuel its growth over the years, according to Peter Lowitt. The company's ability to custom design alarm and security systems for any situation or budget allows it to enjoy a client base that ranges from individual homeowners and small businesses to major corporations such as Cablevision and Wendy's.

Technology, Training, and Service
Besides being on the cutting edge of technology with its equipment and monitoring capabilities, Lowitt noted that management takes pride in knowing its staff of 55 is among the most highly trained in the industry. He added that this ongoing dedication to gaining knowledge is evident throughout Lowitt Alarms, from the technicians that make up the fleet of radio-dispatched maintenance vehicles that cover Long Island to the certified systems operators who handle the more than 10,000 alarm signals received every day.

"Just recently, we invited local fire marshals, arson investigators and building inspectors to tour our facility and meet our employees," said Vice President of Operations Mark Spechler. "This led to a lively exchange of ideas and information about an extremely important topic that benefitted both sides and will ultimately result in better service for our customers."

He added that a testament to the firm's commitment to technology, training, and service is represented by Lowitt Alarms' certification by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), a rare distinction that makes it among the highest rated licensed alarm and security firms in the United States.

Central Command Monitoring
Center Unlike other alarm and security companies, where monitoring is often handled independently and in some far off location, Lowitt Alarms has its own central command monitoring center within its Hicksville headquarters. This state-of-the-art command post, custom designed to meet all UL specifications, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most importantly, it allows operators to dispatch help within seconds after receiving a signal, which is often critical, particularly in the event of a fire or break-in. Lowitt's central command monitoring center is backed up by a diesel-powered generator and a secondary computer system, ensuring its operation at all times.

"We believe having our own monitoring facility offers some major advantages to our customers," said Andy Lowitt. "For example, if a bad storm was approaching our area, we would immediately react by increasing our staffing to help handle the potential increase in flooding and fire alarms that would result. That's not something that would probably happen if the monitoring apparatus was in some other state, 2,000 miles away. We're also familiar with local fire departments, community names and street locations."

Current Product Trends
One of the fastest growing segments of Lowitt Alarms' business has been in access control systems and the use of closed circuit television monitors. Both of these allow business owners to have greater control over employee movement in, out, and around their facility. By punching a code on a keypad, or by passing a card over a magnetic sensor, authorization can be granted to specific personnel to enter sensitive areas, for example. And changes, adding or canceling access, can be made instantaneously, right down to an individual, so that other users are not affected.

The company also offers sophisticated motion detectors and a video surveillance program which will actually send an image of the protected area back to the central command monitoring station immediately after an alarm is set off. This technology can be a major deterrent to both internal or external theft, according to Andy Lowitt, and has been used numerous times to help authorities capture perpetrators.

"We have one customer who, with a click of a mouse on his computer can observe from his home what his employees are doing in his store on Long Island," Peter Lowitt explained.

While today, most alarm and security systems utilize phone lines to send signals, the use of cellular transmitters has been gaining in popularity, especially from the business community. This form of protection adds a little to the cost, but it assures that communication is not lost in the event of a downed or cut phone line, Lowitt said.

With the rapid advancement in technology, retrofitting existing systems has been gaining in popularity as well, according to Andy Lowitt. "Chances are good that any alarm or security system that's less than ten years old can be upgraded to today's standards without having to replace the equipment that's already in place," he said. "If properly handled, this can result in thousands of dollars in savings."

The use of carbon monoxide detectors is also important and should not be overlooked by businesses or homeowners, Lowitt added. The important thing, he warns, is knowing that carbon monoxide is odorless and is lighter than air.

"Many people make the mistake of buying a detector in the store and plugging it into an electrical outlet that's near the floor, which actually defeats the purpose completely," he explained.

"We also find that store-bought products are not as reliable, something you probably don't want to take a chance with considering this deadly gas has no smell and can overcome its victims before they know it."

In addition to carbon monoxide detectors, Lowitt Alarms can provide temperature and flood warning sensors that can indicate problems before they cause major damage and unneeded insurance claims.

"As time goes on and the technology in our industry continues to become more efficient and economically feasible, demand for alarm and security products and services will continue to remain strong," Peter Lowitt said. "With our knowledge, experience, and expertise, we believe we have positioned ourselves to meet the needs of Long Island's business and residential communities and look forward to continued success in the future."

Lowitt Alarms and Security Systems is located at 25 Bethpage Road in Hicksville. Telephone 516-433-6960.