Verification Versus Priority Dispatch

Over the last decade, the alarm industry has spent millions of dollars and thousands of hours addressing the issue of preventing unnecessary police dispatches from alarm systems. Attend any industry trade show and it becomes immediately obvious that video and video monitoring have arrived—and that they’re here to stay. But are they mutually exclusive, or will they become cooperative tools working together in the dispatch-reduction arena?

Starting with the Model States and CARE programs and now through the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), the industry has put forth a concerted and successful effort to reduce unnecessary dispatches to alarms. Even through a rough economic period the past three years, the number of customers in the monitoring segment of the industry has grown, making this alarm reduction effort even more necessary.

SIAC has worked diligently to promote the practices that deliver the best results. Programs such as enhanced call verification and the CP-01 Control Panel Standard have assisted in reducing dispatches to the point that more than 85 percent of all calls received at the monitoring station are resolved without the need of a response. This number will continue to improve as more companies embrace these proven techniques.

For the 30 years that I have been involved in the alarm industry, there really hasn’t been much change in what we do to provide security for our clients. The equipment has advanced from basic—and, I might add, expensive—to comprehensive. Current systems typically include many zones, multiple user codes, remote arming, and some energy management and lighting control features. And of course, even with all the newer options, electronic security systems remain very affordable. However, after more than three decades, the bread and butter of our industry remains a monitored alarm system with perimeter and interior detection devices. How many other industries are in a similar position of maintaining a technological status quo? Not many.

Video security systems have been our bright spot when it comes to advancing technology. As video monitoring capabilities became more refined, many were always concerned that these abilities would never have an application in the residential market because of the industry’s concerns over privacy issues. Evidently we were wrong. Today’s generation of consumers is much more tolerant of technology and basically unafraid of allowing a minor invasion of privacy in order to enhance security or to keep an eye on children or even pets. So if video is more affordable and more video is sold, will video replace our traditional systems for verification processes?

In spite of our best efforts to verify an event prior to requesting a response, almost 80 percent of all calls the industry dispatches are still due to user error. Will this always be the case with the added dimension of video feeds from the premises? The short answer is probably yes. Whether the event is triggered by a door contact or a camera, there is nothing that indicates that operator error will be replaced as the primary cause of signals transmitted for action. Could it be that all we will yield is a picture of the user activating his own alarm?

The addition of off-site video monitoring does not increase the number of real or attempted crimes, but it does provide the ability to identify an actual crime in progress immediately, resulting in a higher priority response and an opportunity for law enforcement to apprehend more people. When combined with a priority response, these video-enhanced systems are improving that apprehension number, an appealing prospect to law enforcement.

Even still, there is a warning sign we must heed. Applying any new technology to solve an old problem has the potential to exclude legacy equipment. For this reason, a new technology should never be a requirement in order to receive service. We must also be careful not to let our sales and marketing people oversell the benefits of video. History has proven that it takes many years to vet these new applications. It would be wise to develop guidelines, procedures and eventually standards to ensure we don’t repeat the errors of the past and allow the trend of decreasing alarm dispatches to reverse.

So how do improved verification and video fit in the same place trying to do the same job?

In 2010, when the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) set out to develop an ANSI dispatch standard for central stations, it had to answer this same question. Through open discussion, the association determined that a central station employee should dispatch on a video alarm only after the current and accepted verification techniques had been applied. If not, video alarms had the potential to actually reverse the gains the industry had made. In real life, video monitoring is already proving all of these statements to be true. At the same time, video has increased the number of apprehensions being made where there is clear evidence of a crime being committed.

However, no form of monitoring is immune from unnecessary alarm dispatches. Caution remains the rule of thumb. Any attempt to steer away from proven verification techniques should occur only if there is clear evidence that would lead a prudent person to believe that a crime is being, is about to be or has been committed. Look for more detailed information as the CSAA standard for priority dispatch is completed and opened for comment.

So, video monitoring has arrived, but will it become a staple product? The short answer is yes. The equipment is already competitively priced in comparison with traditional equipment. On the commercial side, there is no reason not to integrate video as part of an effective package to improve reliability and raise the priority of dispatches.

So, the next time you’re at a trade show, take at look at what the future vision of our industry will likely be.

This article originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Report: Physical Security Market Turning to Cloud and Hybrid Solutions

    Genetec, a provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, today shared the results of its 2024 State of Physical Security report. Based on insights from over 5,500 physical security leaders worldwide (including end users and channel partners), the report looks at the security strategies organizations are putting in place to effectively navigate the realities of a changing industry. Read Now

  • A Future in the Clouds

    The cloud has become a pervasive term in everyone’s daily work and personal lives – from the explosion of content available on Internet streaming services to remote learning to social interactions. Everyone is living cloud-based lives. Read Now

  • A Rapidly Changing Realm

    Many retail operators continue to face a daily balancing act of maintaining both an online and in-person presence. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated our adoption of online shopping, and the expectation now is that every retailer needs to be proficient in both arenas. This places a heightened emphasis on secure operations that ensure a seamless experience for the customer no matter where they pull out their credit card. Read Now

  • Secure Your Home During the Holidays

    The most wonderful time of the year can easily transform into a nightmare. Being vigilant, while still enjoying the holiday season, is possible. The holiday season is the perfect time to start implementing security measures to protect one’s home and ensure security while out and about. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3