False Alarms
The ICP, or International Chiefs of Police, an organization dedicated to extending mutual cooperation between law enforcement agencies and municipalities, lists false alarms dispatched as their number one growing concern, even over levels of crimes committed. It is estimated that 20% of all secured and monitored homes, facilities and properties, account for 80% of all the false alarms dispatches. Additionally, only 1-2% of activated alarms are actually true emergencies according to the data. That would mean that over 98% of all activated alarms fall into the category of being false, a staggering figure when considering the millions of alarm activation’s that occur each year in this country. Police, Fire Departments and Emergency Responders, all have to contend with this situation and because of the increase in the numbers of actual secured properties, false alarms are inundating and straining these public services to their limits. Costs are escalating causing some states and local service providers to reevaluate their role and response time to what is now being called an “Un-verified Alarm Situation” putting some at risk, sources say.
ESI, Emergency Systems Inc. a Jacksonville security alarm provider suggests that there are counter measures that can be taken to correctly identify non-false alarm activations. With close to 30 million alarms installed in this country alone, alarm manufacturers are responding with products that can actually provide police with verification that the alarm is real.
ESI’s Advice: Installation of security devices like Videofied, a motion detector equipped with a real-time video feed, that records what is actually taken place at the time the alarm is activated, is helping to reduce false alarms and police who have verification an alarm is indeed not false will respond with dispatch.
The False Alarm Fall-Out Dilemma
The overwhelming condition these primary services face is in responding to every alarm activated, because without verification it is impossible to determine which alarms are true emergencies, break-ins or crimes being committed and which are just false alarms. When this happens, especially when only police are involved, many state and local governments are issuing what is called a non-response order for companies that are identified as repeat offenders. False alarm costs on average, over one hour of police time and expense, and with gas and recovery costs escalating, (getting police back to responding to actually emergencies), many are questioning how to resolve this situation. Even insurance companies are taking a long look at extending coverage in areas that are affected but high rates of non-respond orders issued by local governments. Unfortunately, increased fines are being considered to cover costs and those measures have not stemmed the tide of false alarm reports.
ESI’s Advice: Emergency Systems Inc. has increased stricter monitoring codes with greater response time between the alarm activation and the verification email, text or actual phone call activation to determine alarms status. This is reducing the number of un-verified alarms and actual false alarm activations are being detected by our monitoring station.
Why ESI for all Your Jacksonville Security Needs?
ESI, Emergency Systems Inc. is a leader in the fire, water and security protecting business, with almost 40 years of experience. From Access Control Devices and Key-Less entry for commercial businesses, industrial and warehousing applications, to providing state-of-the-art protection for high-end residential properties, ESI is there protecting what matters the most to you, your business and family. Visit our website for services, products and you will see what separates ESI from all other security providers. We are a licensed security system company servicing North and North Central Florida. Call us for a free security analysis at 904-388-3975 and let us design and install the right security system for you.