Why is Verification the Missing Piece in Most Commercial Alarm Systems?

Most business owners assume their security system will protect them when a break‑in occurs. The reality is different. Traditional alarm systems that rely only on motion sensors and door contacts are often ignored by police because they cannot confirm whether a crime is actually happening. Without verification, your alarm might sound and send notifications, but it may not trigger a police response.

Verification is the missing piece in most commercial alarm systems. It is the difference between an alert that gets deprioritised and a verified threat that receives immediate attention.

Key Takeaways

• Most commercial alarm systems lack the ability to confirm whether a crime is actually occurring, leading to delayed or no police response.
• Police across Western Canada have implemented policies that deprioritize or reject dispatches for unverified alarms due to high false-alarm rates.
• Verified alarm systems use audio, video, or multi-zone confirmation to detect real threats and reduce false dispatches.
• Businesses using verified systems experience faster police response and higher rates of apprehension.
• Verification is no longer optional, it’s essential for modern commercial security in Western Canada.

Western Canada Police are Shifting Away From Unverified Alarms

Across Western Canada, police services have publicly stated that unverified alarms consume significant resources and generate thousands of false dispatches every year.

Alberta RCMP: Verification Required

In 2018, Alberta RCMP implemented a policy change to reduce the overwhelming number of false alarms. Officers are no longer dispatched for single‑sensor or unverified alarms. Only verified or multi‑zone alarm activations qualify for police response.

Calgary Police Service: Priority for Verified Alarms

Calgary Police Service publishes clear guidelines that police will respond to panic, hold‑up, and verified alarm activations. Single‑zone activations without verification can result in delayed response or no dispatch at all.

North Vancouver RCMP: Thousands of False Alarms Recorded

The North Vancouver RCMP False Alarm Reduction Program reports that the vast majority of alarm calls are false, caused by user error or equipment malfunction. This contributes to a lower response priority for unverified alarms and increased penalties for repeat false events.

These policies make one thing clear: a traditional alarm system that cannot verify activity is no longer enough to rely on.

What Verified Commercial Security Actually Provides

A verified alarm system confirms what is happening before police are dispatched. Verification can be audio based, video based, or accomplished through multi‑zone activation.

This means operators or automated systems can identify the sound or visual evidence of forced entry, confirming an actual break‑in. Police treat these verified calls as crimes in progress and respond accordingly.

Verified commercial security delivers:

• Faster police response
• Fewer false alarms
• Greater likelihood of apprehension
• Higher overall deterrence

Traditional systems cannot match this performance because they cannot confirm anything in real‑time.

The False Alarm Problem Is Bigger Than Most Businesses Realise

False alarms are not simply a nuisance. They directly impact police willingness to respond. 

Law‑enforcement agencies across Western Canada consistently report that traditional alarm systems generate far more false alarms than real emergencies. The North Vancouver RCMP notes that it receives more than 1,000 alarm calls annually, with only a small fraction tied to actual criminal activity. This mirrors findings in other BC jurisdictions, where municipal alarm‑management programs estimate false‑alarm rates so high that they have implemented strict penalties and verification requirements to reduce unnecessary dispatches. With police resources strained, unverified alarms are increasingly deprioritized in favour of calls supported by real evidence.

Every false alarm reduces the credibility of your future alerts. For many departments in Western Canada, the threshold has been reached. Verified alarms now get priority while unverified alarms may receive no dispatch at all.

This environment creates real exposure for businesses that still rely on old technology.

Verified Alarm Systems Lead to Real Outcomes

Verified systems do more than make noise. They generate evidence and dispatch police with confidence. Businesses that upgrade to verification experience measurable improvements in security outcomes including:

• Police arrival within minutes
• Criminal apprehensions at the scene
• Reduced property damage
• Lower downtime after an incident

For companies operating in retail, warehousing, automotive, construction, education and professional services, these benefits translate directly into financial protection and continuity.

What Security Providers Should Offer Now

If your alarm provider cannot deliver verification, you are not getting modern protection. At minimum, a commercial security system today should include:

• Real‑time audio or video verification
• A central monitoring team capable of confirming intrusions
• A system aligned with local police alarm policies
• Integrated reporting and documentation for insurance and compliance
• Technology that reduces rather than contributes to false alarms

Verification is not an upgrade. It is foundational.

If Your System Cannot Verify, it Cannot Protect

In Western Canada, police agencies have already made the shift toward verified response. 

Traditional alarms that rely on motion detectors and single‑zone triggers are being left behind. 

Businesses that continue to use unverified alarms face longer police response times, higher risk of successful break‑ins and greater financial loss.

Verification is the missing piece in most commercial alarm systems. It turns alerts into action and transforms security from a passive sensor network into an active protection system.

To learn how verified security can protect your business, request a security assessment today through the button below.

FAQs

1. What is a Verified Commercial Security System?

A verified commercial security system confirms that a real security threat is occurring before notifying police. This verification can be achieved through live audio, video monitoring, or multi-sensor activation. Unlike traditional systems that rely on passive sensors and frequently trigger false alarms, verified systems provide evidence-based alerts that police treat as crimes in progress.

2. Why are Police Across Western Canada Prioritizing Verified Alarms?

Police services such as Alberta RCMP, Calgary Police, and North Vancouver RCMP have documented high rates of false alarms from traditional systems, often exceeding 90%. To reduce wasted resources and unnecessary dispatches, these departments now prioritize or exclusively respond to alarms that include verified evidence of a break-in or intrusion. Verified systems enable faster, more efficient law enforcement response.

3. How Does Verification Improve Police Response Time?

Verified alarm systems provide dispatchers and police with real-time confirmation of criminal activity, whether it’s audio of forced entry or visual evidence of a break-in. This confirmation allows the incident to be classified as an active crime, which police departments prioritize over unverified alerts. As a result, verified systems often receive police response within minutes.

4. What are the Risks of Using a Traditional Alarm System Without Verification?

Businesses relying on unverified systems face longer response times, a greater likelihood of successful break-ins, and potential denial of police dispatch. In many jurisdictions, if an alarm lacks verification, it may be deprioritized or ignored entirely. Additionally, repeated false alarms can lead to fines and reduced credibility for future incidents.

5. How can I Know if my Current System Includes Verification?

Ask your security provider whether your system includes live audio or video monitoring and whether it complies with local police verification policies. A true verified system should have 24/7 monitoring by trained personnel who can confirm intrusions and relay that information to law enforcement in real time. If your system only triggers alerts based on single motion sensors or door contacts, it likely does not qualify as verified.