Nanaimo RCMP Respond to 800 Calls in One Week
Nearly 800 calls in one week pushed Nanaimo RCMP resources to the limit, including multiple false alarms from outdated commercial security systems. This case shows why businesses must move beyond conventional motion-based alarms and adopt verified security that provides real-time detection, reduces false alarms, and ensures faster police response.
When the Nanaimo RCMP reports nearly 800 calls for service in just seven days, it tells a clear story: police resources are stretched thin, response times are under pressure, and non-urgent calls are getting pushed further down the list.
Amid the violent incidents, disturbances, and emergencies, officers also had to respond to multiple commercial false alarms, many triggered by outdated motion sensors and ineffective commercial security systems.
For business owners, this is more than a statistic. It’s a warning.
In an environment where police are already managing an overwhelming call volume, verified security isn’t just an upgrade, it’s essential protection.
The Problem: Conventional Alarms Overwhelm Police
Traditional alarms haven’t kept pace with the way criminals operate today.
Most rely on simple motion detectors or door contacts that trigger after someone is already inside your building. And because these systems generate up to a 98% false alarm rate, police quickly deprioritize them.
These outdated systems fail businesses in three critical ways:
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They don’t deter criminals: thieves know they have time to get in and out.
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They don’t provide real-time intelligence: just a siren and a notification.
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They don’t support police apprehension: there’s no verified information to act on.
The outcome?
Repeat break-ins, delayed responses, and criminals who slip away before anyone arrives.
Why Verified Security Matters
Verified security changes everything.
Sonitrol’s verified systems — powered by our industry-leading Active Audio technology — detect suspicious activity before the intruder gains entry. Operators can listen, verify the threat in real time, and immediately dispatch police with actionable intelligence.
And the results speak for themselves:
- 188,000+ documented criminal apprehensions
- Priority police response due to real-time verification
- Powerful deterrence: criminals actively avoid Sonitrol-protected sites
When businesses use verified security instead of conventional motion-based alarms, police waste fewer hours responding to false alarms, and can focus their energy on real crime.
This makes the entire community stronger and safer.
Business Impact: The Cost of Inaction
False alarms aren’t harmless. They erode police trust, delay emergency response, and leave businesses exposed.
Outdated commercial security systems create the illusion of safety while offering little real protection.
If thieves can break a window, grab merchandise, and escape before anyone responds, you don’t have security, you have a siren that documents your losses.
Every minute of police delay increases risk:
- Higher theft totals
- Increased downtime and cleanup
- Higher insurance premiums
- Greater likelihood of repeat hits
Today, criminals are more prepared, more brazen, and more efficient, and they know how to exploit weak systems.
The Sonitrol Advantage
Sonitrol gives police what they actually need to act quickly and decisively:
- Verified audio of real intrusions
- Live operator confirmation
- Accurate, detailed intelligence
- A proven track record of apprehensions
- Integration with advanced commercial security systems including Sonavision monitored video
When police know the alarm is real, they respond faster, and the results are dramatically better.
Right now is the time to reevaluate your security strategy. Ask yourself:
- Are your alarms verified or just motion-based?
- Would police take your alarm seriously today?
- Are you preventing crime, or merely documenting it?
Upgrading to verified security is more than a smart decision.
It’s a responsibility, to your business, your employees, and your community.
To learn more about Sonitrol’s verified commercial security systems and how they help protect high-risk businesses across Western Canada, contact us anytime.