False Alarm Programs, What Are They?
With the continuing growth of the use of security alarm systems in homes and businesses, police services in many jurisdictions are faced with the challenge of responding to false alarms in huge numbers. Police are reporting as much as 97% of alarms are false creating a significant impact on police resources.
The Belleville Police Service reports that False Alarms are “one of the most significant misuses of police resources” and since the implementation of their False Alarm Reduction Program they have reduced the number of False Alarms they report to by 47%
In response, Police departments across Canada have begun implementing programs to reduce the number of false alarm calls their officers are being dispatched to. By reducing the financial costs associated with attending false alarms departments can reallocate resources where they would be more beneficial.
Large jurisdictions such as Toronto, York Region, Hamilton, Niagara, and Waterloo are disregarding intrusion alarms without proof of a criminal event. Local jurisdictions such as Belleville, Kingston, & Ottawa have as well.
What is a False Alarm?
A false alarm is defined by the Belleville Police Service as “any alarm the activation of which results in police attending the premises at which the alarm is located, where there has not been any unauthorized entry into the premises and includes the activation of the alarm by testing, malfunction or by accident.”
What Triggers False Alarms?
There are a few common causes of false alarms for both fire and security systems, although specifics are variable across industries. They include the following:
The majority (nearly a third of all false alarms) originate from employees who have not been properly trained or have triggered an alarm by accident. Faulty equipment, pets and weather are also common causes of false alarms.
What is the Penalty for a False Alarm in Belleville?
The Security Alarm System Response Policy from Belleville Police Service outlines the fees for both home and commercial false alarms.
1st False Alarm: $0
2nd False Alarm: $50.00
3rd False Alarm: $100.00
4th & Subsequent False Alarms: $200.00
How can I avoid False Alarms?
What is Video Verification?
Our monitoring center can vet an alarm signal by tapping into on-premise video and identifying the cause of the alarm. They are then able to dismiss false alarms or notify the police a crime is in progress with real-time updates for the police responding.
An increasing number of Police Departments have adopted verified alarm programs in the past few years. These programs are designed to reduce misuse of police resources and free up officers for legitimate calls. Video Verification platforms create a level of service from a live monitoring center agent that deters crime, reduces false alarms and increases the police response time during a critical event.
