Have you been thinking about installing a home security system? If so, you need to consider how your system will be monitored. Some people pay for professional monitoring services while others do it themselves. In both cases, a homeowner needs to consider any local verified response laws that might be on the books.
Professional monitoring companies are fully aware of verified response laws. In fact, they are required to abide by them. The laws apply to self-monitoring consumers as well, but many do not find out until they have been slapped with a municipal fine for reporting too many false alarms.
The Basics of Verified Response
Verified response laws are usually structured as local ordinances compelling police departments to verify the legitimacy of an emergency before responding to a home security alarm. The goal is to cut down on the number of false alarms police agencies respond to. False alarms take time, cost money, and pull officers away from legitimate emergencies.
A typical verified response law puts the onus on a monitoring company first. In cases where homeowners monitor alarms themselves, they are the ones responsible for verifying the necessity of a response.
When a Monitoring Company Is Involved
No doubt there are differences in verified response laws among municipalities. As a general rule, the laws require monitoring companies to make every attempt to contact homeowners when a security system alarm is triggered. The point is to verify with the homeowner that an actual emergency exists.
Monitoring personnel are only allowed to contact the police if they either verify an emergency or fail in their efforts to contact the homeowner but still have reason to believe the alarm is legitimate. Contacting local authorities under any other conditions could result in civil penalties.
When a Homeowner Self-Monitors
When there is no monitoring company in play, homeowners are still expected to verify the legitimacy of an alarm before contacting authorities. For example, just assuming a burglary is in progress and then calling 911 without verifying it could ultimately mean police are responding to a false alarm.
Municipalities with verified response ordinances in place might allow a minimum number of false alarms before a homeowner is penalized. Let us arbitrarily say three. After the third false alarm, a homeowner would be fine for every false alarm thereafter.
Avoiding False Alarms
False alarms happen. Police departments and local lawmakers know that. Neither genuinely expects that verified response laws will eliminate all false alarms. Rather they enact ordinances to cut down on the total number. The ordinances are sufficient motivation for homeowners to avoid false alarms as much as possible.
How does a homeowner do that? First, it is a good idea to purchase home security equipment from a trusted brand with a good track record. Vivint Smart Home comes to mind. Nationwide home security companies have a vested interest in protecting their reputations. They tend to be more proactive in helping customers avoid false alarms.
Homeowners can also:
- Pay for professional monitoring.
- Regularly inspect their equipment.
- Replace or repair damaged equipment immediately.
- Routinely test their systems to make sure everything is in working order.
In terms of testing, homeowners paying for professional monitoring should alert the monitoring provider before any such tests. Obviously, DIY monitoring doesn’t require letting anyone know prior to running a test.
Keeping a home security system in good working order minimizes the false alarm responses local laws are designed to prevent. Preventing false alarms frees up local police to respond to legitimate emergencies. That’s the way it should be. By the way, the laws work.
