Seattle is the latest of several major cities to implement a non-response policy for unmonitored security systems and alarms. Beginning on October 1, 2024, the Seattle Police Department will no longer respond to unverified intrusion alarms. Police response to intrusion alarms now requires verified evidence of a crime, whether it is confirmed through video, audio, panic alarms, or an eyewitness account. 

This new policy comes after the Seattle 911 Center received approximately 13,000 residential and commercial intrusion alarm calls from alarm monitoring companies in 2023. Of those 13,000 calls, only 4% were connected to a confirmed crime that led to a report or arrest. The vast majority of the calls from alarm monitoring companies were a result of an intrusion sensor being unintentionally tripped by a resident or employee or the security equipment being old or failing. 

Prior to the non-response policy, Officers would be dispatched to the property where each alarm originated. Each false alarm was a drain on police resources. 

Cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and more have previously implemented non-response policies for unverified alarms. Many cities require residences or businesses to acquire permits for any security system used in the area. As an additional deterrent to false alarms, some cities are charging penalties for each false alarm, with the fine of each subsequent false alarm increasing. 

VirtuGuard™ Alarm Verification 

VirtuGuard™ is a remote video monitoring service offered by BOS Security, Inc. Through surveillance cameras and other security technologies like intrusion detection, glass-break sensors, remote access control management, and more. Remote video monitoring is an effective crime prevention service that can also satisfy alarm verification requirements. 

Surveillance cameras throughout client properties can be equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect abnormal or unwanted activity at any time of day or night. When activity is detected, an alarm is sent into the VirtuGuard™ Command Center for Live Agents to review and respond to. Unlike other security systems and monitoring companies, the alarm is not forwarded directly to local law enforcement before it has been verified through video, audio, panic alarms, or eyewitness verification. 

VirtuGuard™ Video Verification 

When alarm is sent into the VirtuGuard™ Command Center, either by an AI alert or intrusion detection, Monitoring Agents review the event that triggered the alarm as well as a live video stream of the area.  

Agents can then determine if there was a false alarm or if there was in fact a trespass or other incident. In some scenarios, VirtuGuard™ Agents can utilize two-way audio speakers to issue Voice Down warnings. Agents can instruct individuals to vacate a restricted area or exit the property entirely. 

In the event that a crime is in progress when detected, VirtuGuard™ can report the ongoing incident to local law enforcement. Verifying that the incident is genuine before notifying police reserves valuable police resources and prevents unnecessary responses. Agents can assist police by providing crucial details of events. Agents can provide detailed descriptions of suspicious individuals or vehicles, an exact location of the incident, and a real-time report of what is happening on the client’s property. 

VirtuGuard™ Audio Verification 

Through two-way audio speakers installed throughout a client property, VirtuGuard™ can verify that activity is occurring when the property is meant to be vacant. Agents can use audio monitoring to verify whether a triggered alarm is false or genuine. VirtuGuard™ can then resolve the false alarm or alert local law enforcement if the alarm is genuine. 

VirtuGuard™ Panic Alarm Verification 

In addition to connecting surveillance cameras and other security equipment to the VirtuGuard™ Command Center, Personal Panic Alarms can be monitored. When an individual at a business or residence activates their panic alarm, an alert is sent to the Command Center for Agents to review. VirtuGuard™ can see which individual activated their alarm.  

When combined with remote video monitoring, Agents can scan the property for activity to confirm that there was no false alert. When an ongoing incident is confirmed, VirtuGuard™ can then notify local police and request a response. 

VirtuGuard™ Eyewitness Verification 

VirtuGuard™ creates unique “See Something, Say Something” tip lines for each property. This phone number can be distributed to staff or residents and posted throughout a property for guests to directly call the Command Center.  

Encouraging employees or residents to be aware of their surroundings and providing an anonymous tip line to report concerns creates a culture of vigilance in businesses or residential communities. Individuals can report suspicious activity to VirtuGuard™ and Agents will review video and audio footage to investigate the incident. If there is cause for further intervention, Agents will report the incident to local law enforcement. 

VirtuGuard™ Verified Alarms 

Each alarm sent into the VirtuGuard™ Command Center is verified through video, audio, panic alarms, or eyewitness account before police are notified. Agents can weed out false alarms in real time, reducing the burden of security systems automatically alerting police when an alarm is triggered. 

VirtuGuard™ is more accurate and proactive than standard security systems like SimpliSafe or ADT. The Command Center uses advanced AI and other video analytics to reduce false alarms while detecting legitimate disturbances. 

VirtuGuard™ has established relationships with local law enforcement agencies. When a trespass or other criminal or suspicious activity occurs, Agents can speak directly with police agencies to report the incident and receive a fast response. 

To learn more about how VirtuGuard™ can protect your business or residence while adhering to local alarm policies, complete the contact form below.