DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN

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RECOGNIZING ALARMS

Mothers recognize their children's crying. Pets recognize their owner's vehicle sounds. I, on the other hand, recognize my apartment's burglar alarm, even from several blocks away. That was the case recently while visiting a friend about three blocks from my home. I ignored the alarm the first time it sounded. The second time, I told my friend that I had to go see who was breaking into my apartment.

You see, my apartment is in the back of an office building. Sometimes a new person, or someone who hasn't been there after hours in a while, will accidentally trip the alarm. The sound, which is obnoxiously loud and disconcerting, confuses the person trying to enter the building. This person often starts pushing buttons almost randomly trying to make the noise stop. Unfortunately, the alarm automatically quits making noise after about 30 seconds. The person thinks the alarm is shut off, but in another 30 seconds the noise comes back full force. This whole process continues until the alarm is finally disarmed. That often means until I come to the rescue of the frazzled person who was simply trying to get into the building after hours.

Meanwhile, the alarm company on the mainland that monitors the system is calling a list of officers designated to reset the alarm and discern whether or not to notify the Sheriff. So after shutting down the system, I phone the alarm company, identify myself and explain the situation. When the operator is satisfied that all is well, I attempt to console the person who tripped the alarm. I usually tell several stories about previous alarm mishaps. Soon both of us are laughing and asking each other whatever happened to the good old days before we needed burglar alarms. Then I leave, wondering how long it will be before I'll recognize the sound of that alarm again.

• What emotional alarm systems do you have?
  
  
• Do you recognize these alarms when they go off?
  
  
• Can you tell when they've been tripped accidentally?
  
  
• How can you reset these alarms and move forward?

© 2006 David Bentley

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David Bentley, M.Ed., is an avid observer of people, places and events. He uses his storytelling and questioning skills to help himself and others think outside the box in an ever-changing world.

Comments about his column can be sent to davidbentley@sanjuanislander.com.

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008

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