If you operate a commercial property in the U.S., your alarm system is quietly costing you money every time it trips for nothing — and in a growing list of cities, it's not even bringing the police anymore.
The false alarm problem in numbers
- 94–98% of all U.S. burglar alarms are false (DOJ, IACP).
- Cities like Los Angeles, San Jose, Salt Lake City and Seattle now require verified response.
- Per-event fines range from $100 to $500+ after the first or second offense.
- Some jurisdictions revoke alarm permits after 3–5 false alarms in 12 months.
What "verified response" means
Police will only dispatch when an alarm is verified by a second source — eyewitness, audio, or video confirming a crime in progress. Live CCTV monitoring is the cleanest way to provide that verification, in under 30 seconds, on every event.
How the verification flow works
- Sensor or AI rule triggers an alarm event.
- Live operator pulls the camera and visually verifies.
- If a crime is in progress, operator calls 911 with a verified-video PD code.
- Most U.S. metros prioritize this above standard alarm calls.
Bonus: insurance discounts
Most major U.S. commercial carriers now offer 5–15% premium credits for sites with verified video monitoring tied to their alarm system. Ask your broker — the paperwork is usually one form.