NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) March 29, 2000--Standard&Poor's today lowered its corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on Protection One Alarm Monitoring Inc. to single-'B'-plus from double-'B'-minus and its subordinated debt rating on the company to single-'B'-minus from single-'B'. Standard&Poor's also lowered its preliminary senior unsecured debt rating on Protection One's shelf to single-'B'-plus from double-'B'-minus and its preliminary subordinated debt rating on the shelf to single-'B'-minus from single-'B'. The downgrade is based on Western Resources Inc.'s announced intention to separate its electric utility business from its non-electric business, which is expected to be completed before year-end 2000. The ratings on Protection One had previously incorporated a modest level of support from majority owner
