What is Alarm Response Service?
This is a common question which comes across in people’s mind and when we do talk about it there is a long list of things to address and understand.
Alarm response for security companies means that when an alarm is activated, a security guard in marked security vehicle called Mobile Patrol Security goes and checks out your home or business to ensure it is secure and there are no signs of forced or unauthorized entry.
Why do I need an alarm response service?
Alarm response service at residential properties is needed when you are out of your house at work or on vacation or simply you cannot be there when the alarm is activated. The majority of the business alarms are triggered after hours and in most cases owners do not feel safe to go respond to the alarms during the night or send any of their employees. In some cases the owner responds along with the Mobile Patrol Security so they have someone with them while inspecting the property.
Who provides alarm response?
Alarm response service is usually provided by security companies and in some cases by Law Enforcement Agencies.
Who should I choose? A law enforcement agency or a security company?
When a law enforcement officer responds to an alarm he/she could only check the perimeter of your property as they do not keep keys to your premises. If you have a security company setup for alarm response they would keep your keys in their mobile patrol vehicles and when they do come to respond to an alarm they will conduct interior and exterior patrol.
If the law enforcement officer responds to an alarm and it turns out to be false alarm the owner receives a bill which is significant compared to having security guard respond to the alarm. If you have more than 3 false alarms in 12 months your alarm permit could also be suspended. For more information regarding false alarms & alarm reduction program in Vancouver visit http://vancouver.ca/police/crime-prevention/false-alarm-reduction/index.html
How does the alarm response process works?
When an alarm is activated your monitoring company receives the signal, they then act on it as per instructions on the account and start calling the contact persons from top to the bottom of the list. In that list you can add your alarm response security company as the contact person in the order you like. Once the alarm response security company receives a call from your monitoring station a professional mobile patrol guard in a marked security vehicle is dispatched to your property.
Upon arrival the guard does the full exterior and interior patrol of your residential or commercial property and reports back to your monitoring station with his/her findings. If it turns out to be false alarm a report is submitted and you receive a copy of it and in case there is a problem then along with the report you are contacted by the monitoring company or alarm response company to inform you of any situations which may need your immediate attention.
When and what kind of alarms does the alarm response companies respond to?
Alarm response companies responds to the alarms 24×7 365 days. They respond to all and any alarms dispatched by your monitoring station including fire alarms.
Why could the alarm go off?
There could be multiple reasons for an alarm to go off such as user error, break & enter, forced entry, vandalism, faulty motion or door contact, low alarm system battery, motion alarm triggered by any moving object such as balloons or even a mouse. The list goes on.
How to Set Up Alarm Response
It’s a simple process, choose the alarm response company, tell them your requirements, usually they will have you fill and sign the alarm response agreement and come collect keys to your premises. Once the paperwork is completed then you have been setup as their alarm response client. You then can call your monitoring station and update your call list with the alarm response company’s dispatch number.
Unicorn Security provides alarm response services in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and New Westminster. If you are looking for a reliable and professional alarm response security company or have questions regarding mobile patrols or security guards you can contact Unicorn Security at any time.
