John- I'd agree with your second example for grounding an alarm panel but I'd have reservations about the first example and also with Greg's fastening to the grounding conductor of the alarm circuit. It's been years since the Code change that said you are to ground to the GEC, panel feeding the circuit or the water pipe within 5' of where it enters the building. See 250.130(C) for some examples. I know the alarm panel is not listed there but you get the idea.
