Verified Alarms Now Required: Seattle Bans Motion Sensor Alarm Systems

On October 1, 2024 the Seattle Police Department (SPD) implemented a new policy on its response to alarm calls.

The Pacific Northwest-based police department will no longer respond to alarm calls without 'supporting evidence', and will only dispatch officers to verified alarms - calls from alarm companies with audio, video, panic alarm or eyewitness verification. 

In a letter delivered to security companies, Interim SPD Chief Sue Rahr stated the decision was aimed at combating the thousands of false alarm calls the department responds to each year.

“The Seattle 911 Center receives approximately 13,000 residential and commercial burglary alarm calls from alarm monitoring companies per year. Unfortunately, most of these calls are the result of an unintended sensor trip by a homeowner or business employee. Many others are the result of old or failing equipment. Of the 13,000 alarm calls in 2023, less than 4% were confirmed to have a crime associated with them that resulted in an arrest or report being written.” Rahr said.

“Starting October 1, 2024, SPD will only dispatch officers to calls from alarm companies with supporting evidence, such as audio, video, panic alarms or eyewitness evidence that a person is illegally entering or attempting to enter a residence or commercial property. We will no longer respond to calls from alarm companies based on sensor or motion activations.”

This move has left many in the alarm industry scrambling, with Security Distributing and Marketing Magazine going with the headline “Seattle Adopts Verified Alarm Response, Raising Alarm Industry & Public Safety Concerns”.

But is this move really that surprising? While it is to many within the industry, it really shouldn’t be. Here in Canada for example, many police departments already require an alarm to be verified if they are to dispatch officers to the scene.

At Sonitrol, we’ve been ahead of the curve for decades. We only install Integrated Verified Security Systems. Our verified alarms don’t just get police attention - they guarantee it. Since we started counting in 1977 Police have apprehended over 187,000 criminals in the act…. This is 1,000 times more apprehension than the rest of the alarm industry combined.

If you’re still relying on the same old, unverified systems, you’re gambling with your business. Sonitrol knows other alarm companies are simply guessing.

Here’s what Seattle knows, and what you need to understand: verified alarm response is not just the best option, it’s the only option.

What Actually is Verified Alarm Response?

Verified alarm response isn't just another industry buzzword - this is true security, and if your business isn’t on board, you’re already behind.

Unlike traditional alarms that rely on motion detectors and door contacts, verified alarm systems use real-time audio, and if needed video verification, to determine whether there’s an actual threat. When an alarm is triggered, here at Sonitrol - where we only install Verified alarms - our system sends live audio with video (if needed) support to our 24/7 monitoring center where trained professionals analyze the situation before sending real-time updates to law enforcement.

That means if we call the police, they’re showing up - fast. They know it’s not a false alarm (which 98% of other alarms are. Sonitrol’s Police response is documented at 3 – 5 minutes and we've caught over 187,000 criminals in the act.

Sonitrol Integrated Verified security is a quantifiable step-up for both businesses and police departments. Law enforcement agencies don’t have time to waste responding to other alarm systems that 98% of the time are false alarms. Verified systems ensure that when they do show up, it’s real and they catch criminals. Criminals learn to stay clear of Sonitrol monitored sites, deterring future break-ins, which is what everyone (except the criminals) is looking for.

That’s why cities like Seattle are embracing verified alarms. It’s simple: they work

The Key Benefits of Sonitrol Verified Alarms

1 - Covers Your Entire Property

Whether it’s simply through audio intrusion or, as needed, video surveillance, we have eyes and ears on every corner of your site. Our Audio Sensors detect break-ins as criminals are attempting to gain entry to your facility through the roof or the wall or the windows. No more guesswork, no more uncertainty - just solid, comprehensive protection. No need for your staff or a guard to attend to verify an alarm prior to the police responding, just for them to simply give you an incident number for you to place a claim with your insurer.

2 - Faster Police Response Times

Think the cops are going to show up for a random, unverified alarm? Think again. In Seattle, and in many other cities, police forces are no longer responding to unverified alarms. But with Sonitrol’s verified alarms, they’re on site faster than ever. We provide them with real-time information, so they know exactly what they’re walking into. And they actually want to apprehend thieves as this is a huge deterrent to future break-ins.

3 - No More False Alarms

False alarms are the Achilles' heel of traditional alarm systems. Not with Sonitrol. Our verified alarms eliminate false alarms because we have professionals monitoring your alarms 24/7. We only notify the police when there’s a real threat. So, you’re not just reducing false alarms - you’re eliminating them.

4 - 24/7 Monitoring of Your Site

At Sonitrol, we have a central monitoring center that operates around the clock. Our trained staff monitors your site 24/7, ensuring that any suspicious activity is identified immediately and dealt with. This isn’t some outsourced, automated service - this is real people, real professionals, verifying your security in real-time.

5 - Just Seeing the Sonitrol Verified Logo is Enough to Scare off Criminals

Here’s the thing: criminals know about Sonitrol. With over 187,000 criminal apprehensions under our belt (and counting), our logo alone is enough to send them running. They understand that a Sonitrol system means business. They’re not taking any chances with a verified alarm system that ensures they’ll get caught.

Why Other Alarm Companies Don’t Meet the Sonitrol Standard

Let’s cut through the noise - most alarm companies simply don’t measure up to the Sonitrol standard. They’re stuck selling outdated technology and unreliable systems that are riddled with false alarms and blind spots.

They’ll talk a big game, but when it comes to Sonitrol’s verified solutions, they don’t even come close. They’re still relying on old-school systems and technologies that can’t guarantee a police response when it counts.

At Sonitrol, we don’t just say we’re the best - we prove it every day with our verified alarm systems, backed by the real results: 187,000 criminals caught. We don’t need to bluff. Our track record speaks for itself. That’s why we even offer a guaranteed commitment to service.

When it comes to protecting your business, do you really want to trust anyone else? Go with the proven solution. Go with Sonitrol.

Reach out to our team of verified security experts for your free security plan today.

Joe Wilson of Sonitrol says it best when he says:

“If you are in need of a Commercial Security System why would you purchase an unverified (conventional) alarm system that does not deter criminals (as they know they are never going to get caught), when you can purchase a Sonitrol Verified Integrated Security System that criminals either avoid or, if they are dumb enough, try to beat a Sonitrol system, and in turn, are apprehended by police”.