As I've been saying for a long time ... Police Forces across North America are implementing a verified-only, alarm response policies. Canada’s largest city has just become a verified-only alarm jurisdiction.
Our moto holds true “if it is not verified its simply guessing”
The Toronto Police Service has just completed a review of response to burglar alarm events.
"It has been found that alarm activation is not necessarily an indicator of criminal activity."
On average, the Toronto Police Service has responded to over 23,000 alarm events per year and the review has shown that 98% of these calls for service are identified as false – meaning a police response was not required.
This just happens to be the false alarm number I've been stating for many years, so our 98% false alarm rate is validated again by another Police department.
Why did the Toronto Police conduct this study?
The Toronto Police Service is striving to provide the best possible service to all members of the community. Other Police agencies across North America that have implemented verified response have seen a reduction in the number of calls for service related to alarm events. By reducing response to false alarm events, the call takers, dispatchers and police officers will be more available to provide response to REAL calls for service and core police duties and responsibilities.
New Verified Alarm Policy Starting January 2016
In an effort to reduce the impact of false alarm events on Toronto police resources and to improve efficiencies and effectiveness, a “verified response” requirement will be implemented, commencing January 2016, and applied to all burglar alarm activations as part of the Toronto Alarm Response Policy.
The Toronto Police provide some helpful guidelines for verified response alarms.
A verified alarm is defined as: "The requirement of validation that criminal activity is occurring/has taken place OR there is imminent threat to personal safety PRIOR to requesting a police response."
This verification requirement will apply to burglar alarm activations (including, but not limited to, alarm distinctions described as burglar, motion, door, window, glass break etcetera).
A burglar alarm may be verified using one or more of the following methods:
- Audio device;
- Video device;
- Multiple zone activations; or
- An eyewitness (i.e. private security or person at scene).
Panic alarm activations are NOT included and will not require verification.
All verified alarm activations will be treated as a high priority call for the Toronto Police service and fast Police response times will continue to be determined by the nature, demand, priorities and resources available at the time of the request for service.
With Sonitrol Verified Alarms we have an average Police response time of just 3.5 minutes, so if you're looking to properly protect your business, we have the best verified alarm solutions.
As more Police departments across North America adopt verified alarm policies, Sonitrol is well positioned as the number one verified alarm company - that's why Police forces trust us - Contact us now for Free Security Audit and more information and a free assessment.
About Sonitrol Western Canada:
We're so confident in our technology and responsive service, that no one else in the industry can match our guarantee. Our unique verified audio and CCTV video business security solutions enable our operators to hear and see what is happening in your business before the criminals gain entry!! We verify the actual source of the alarm, and we get the police to attend the scene immediately. FOR A FREE SECURITY AUDIT, click here, or call 1-866-766-4876.
We are a security company with over 150 offices across North America. Sonitrol Western Canada services clients in:
Sonitrol Western Canada, with its Verified Electronic Security Systems, is committed to providing customers with the most comprehensive security protection. Cooperation in the elimination of false alarms is not only beneficial to the system’s user, but results in better protection of the entire community by allowing law enforcement to use their resources as efficiently as possible.
