The state of Florida has passed legislation that will require the statewide use of enhanced call verification (ECV) to reduce the number of false dispatches by police departments. The new law will take effect on July 1.
According to the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), ECV involves how central station operators contact the home or business when receiving an alarm signal. Instead of dispatching after making a single unanswered call, the new state law will require a second call before dispatching police to the scene.
In addition to law enforcement, fire, business, electrical and security industry representatives, the Florida Attorney General’s office supports the ECV initiative. The Alarm Association of Florida proposed the idea to the state legislature with the help of Bob Neely, the association’s executive director. According to SIAC, both Florida’s House and Senate unanimously approved the legislation. Governor Jeb Bush signed it into law on June 9.
