Police Stress Importance of Video Verification for Security Alarms

Law enforcement officials explain “priority response” and the importance of professional security monitoring with video verification.

Increasingly, local authorities are levying steep fines for false alarms, or they’re simply not responding to security events when there is no eye witness or video verification.

This reality of over-burdened police forces was made clear during a discussion at the recent ISC West 2015, where law-enforcement officials explained how alarm calls are prioritized.

RELATED: Video Plays Verifiable Role in Alarm Response

“When we get a call that the operator tells us there’s video associated with a video alarm, we treat that with the same priority that we treat a crime in progress,” said Chief Chris Vinson, chair of the Texas Police Chiefs Alarm Committee. “The calls that truly do merit a higher response, those get pushed to the top. Those get the response they need to actually make arrests. And that’s what we’re all going for.”

Today’s DIY alarm systems – even those that offer professional monitoring-for the most part do not deliver video verification to central stations.

As self-monitored DIY systems wreak havoc on emergency response services, we could very well imagine a time when police stop sending crews to alarms called in by consumers of such systems.

If you need help selling consumers on the importance of professionally monitored systems with video verification, show them this clip.

 

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

About the Author

Contact:

Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration.

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters