La Cañada Flintridge’s Ring.com Residential Video Doorbell Rebate Program — which allowed residents to purchase the home security device for $100 less than its regular $200 price — was so popular with residents that it was less than a week before the city exhausted the available subsidies.
The program opened on Oct. 24 and within four days, the program was full.
“We are very pleased with the response we received from the community regarding the program,” Mayor Michael Davitt said in an email. “It is a very cost-effective tool to help with our continuing efforts to increase public safety and public awareness.”
The city negotiated a subsidy with Ring.com in which LCF offered a $50-per-household subsidy, which Ring.com matched for a total rebate of $100. The approved $5,000 subsidy level was enough to enable 100 homes to participate in the program on a first-come, first-served basis. (The program was to run through Feb. 21 if the household limit wasn’t met sooner.)
Ring.com offers video doorbell cameras, which link smartphone users to their doorbell when the camera is activated by either motion sensors or someone ringing the doorbell. Residents can see, hear and speak to visitors through their smartphones, tablets or desktop computers.
“This is one of the measures which the City Council approved to help with public safety,” Davitt said. “Increased directed patrols and the purchase of an additional license plate reader have also been recent measures that the city implemented.”
Davitt indicated the city would evaluate the effectiveness of the Ring.com rebate program over the next few months and will consider additional program funding to reach more residents.
— Mirjam Swanson
