By Kerry Goodwin

Seattle Police estimate hours equivalent to more than 50-full time employees are wasted each year in responding to false alarms.  This statistic become particularly offensive when one takes into account the shrinking budgets of law enforcement agencies.  Our communities simply don’t have the resources to waste.  With nearly 98% of burglary alarms being classified as false alarms, why is there no outrage by alarm users requiring better systems, more effective technology, alarm industry responsibility?

Why is there seemingly only one company trying to address this issue – Sonitrol?  The Sonitrol Pacific team aggressively works to reduce false alarms.

• Our security consultants design custom security systems and take into account how each building is used.
• Our technicians test equipment before, during and after installation to ensure maximum efficacy.
• Our customer service team works with clients on an ongoing basis and retrains security system users whenever they ask.
• Our service technicians complete annual preventive maintenance to keep everything working as designed.

Law enforcement agencies and local legislators have been trying to address this matter through “alarm ordinances” but with very limited success.  “Enhanced Call” policies may offer a little relief, but they don’t address the core problem … blind motion sensors can’t tell the monitoring center or the business’ employees what’s happening.  Verification technology, like audio sensor or monitored security video, gives operators ears and eyes.

What can be done to hold burglar alarm companies responsible?  How can Sonitrol’s commitment to responsible security and burglar alarms become the industry standard?