Alarm Signals: A Debate Worth Having

Earlier this year, attorney and security expert Ken Kirschenbaum wrote a fascinating article about home security systems. In essence, Ken addresses the debate surrounding the handling of alarm signals by Central Stations (CS) in security systems. And we think it’s a debate worth having.

For reference, the central station in an alarm system serves as a pivotal hub. Signals from security devices, such as motion detectors, door/window sensors, or surveillance cameras, come into the CS. These are then monitored and responded to by operators. The CS acts as the nerve center of the security system, facilitating communication between the security devices installed at a property and the appropriate authorities or responders.

The Main Points of Ken Kirschenbaum’s Article About Alarm Signals

• Responsibility for Cancel Codes: Dave Currie, another security industry professional, starts the discussion by stating that the decision to transmit cancel codes lies with the alarm panel programmer, implying that users have control over whether CS cancels alarms.
• Immediate Response vs. Delay: There’s a discussion about the trade-off between immediate dispatch of alarm signals for safety reasons vs. potential delays to allow for user cancellation. Ken argues against delays, prioritizing rapid response in emergencies.
• False Alarm Management: The debate centers on the importance of managing false alarms and various methods of doing so. These include call verification, fines, and video verification technologies.
• Advancements in Security Technology: The article highlights the evolution of security technology towards interactive surveillance and intervention services, potentially replacing traditional security guard services.

In this section, Ken stated the following:

“The industry is well beyond video verification at this point in the sense of an after intrusion video clip that can be used to verify the break-in. Now the industry is offering video-audio intervention before a break-in. This interactive surveillance and intervention is not only available but popular in some areas and I believe it will become more popular, ubiquitous in fact. If there isn’t an about face in this country soon the need for this technology and service is going to be the only alternative to private guards, a very costly proposition. … And just try making everyone wait 30 seconds just in case some signals might come in raising objection to the admission.”

• The Practicality of Delays: The newsletter concludes by questioning the practicality of implementing delays in alarm signal reporting, arguing that any delay, even 30 seconds, could have significant consequences in emergencies.
  

Overall, the article delves into the complexities of balancing rapid emergency response with the need to minimize false alarms in security monitoring systems.

What’s the Relevance of Alarm Signals?

Here’s how Ken’s statements and arguments prove Deep Sentinel is a superior option when it comes to home security.

Immediate Response

In emergencies, every second counts. That’s why Deep Sentinel’s live-monitored systems prioritize immediate response without sacrificing accuracy.

Traditional systems use time delays for users to confirm or deny the emergency. Depending on your provider and system settings, this delay could be anywhere from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. That’s just the time it takes before the system notifies an operator that something is amiss—much less the time it takes them to respond.

Deep Sentinel understands that swift action is crucial in critical moments. With live security monitoring, trained professionals are on standby, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble. This rapid response can make all the difference in preventing loss or harm, giving homeowners an added layer of protection.

False Alarms

False alarms can be a nuisance and drain valuable resources. Deep Sentinel recognizes the importance of effective false alarm management. Through advanced verification technologies and real-time camera monitoring services, Deep Sentinel significantly reduces false alarms. AI and video verification enable us to distinguish between genuine threats and false positives, ensuring that emergency responders are deployed only when necessary.

Harnessing Cutting-Edge Technology

Deep Sentinel is at the forefront of security technology, constantly pushing boundaries to deliver state-of-the-art solutions. With live-monitored systems, Deep Sentinel combines the power of AI-driven surveillance with human intervention, creating a dynamic and proactive approach to security. By harnessing the latest advancements in AI, video analytics, and real-time monitoring, Deep Sentinel offers unmatched protection against security threats.

The Deep Sentinel Difference

Deep Sentinel recognizes that traditional security systems often contribute to the false alarm problem, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary strain on public resources. That’s why Deep Sentinel has developed a revolutionary approach that not only minimizes false alarms but also enhances public safety through proactive intervention and deterrence.

Proactive Monitoring and Intervention

At the heart of Deep Sentinel’s solution is its live-monitored system, which combines advanced AI technology with real-time human intervention. Unlike traditional security systems that rely solely on motion detection and passive monitoring, Deep Sentinel’s cameras are equipped with AI algorithms that can distinguish between potential threats and harmless events. This ensures that law enforcement is only contacted when a genuine threat is detected, reducing the burden of false alarms on public resources.

Rapid Response and Deterrence

In addition to its AI-powered detection capabilities, Deep Sentinel’s system also features live security guards who intervene when they notice suspicious activity. These guards can engage with intruders directly using the camera’s two-way audio and built-in siren, often deterring criminals before they have a chance to commit a crime. Moreover, Deep Sentinel’s distinctive yard sign serves as a powerful deterrent, signaling to potential intruders that the property is under active surveillance and not worth the risk.

Enhancing Public Safety, Minimizing Public Cost

By effectively reducing false alarms and enhancing public safety through proactive monitoring and intervention, Deep Sentinel offers a solution that strikes the perfect balance between public cost and safety. Law enforcement agencies can allocate their resources more efficiently, focusing their attention on genuine emergencies rather than false alarms. Meanwhile, homeowners can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their property is protected by the most advanced security system on the market.

The Answer to Ken’s Debate About Alarm Signals

Ken Kirschenbaum is exactly right that alarm signals should be relayed as soon as they are triggered. That’s a simple matter of protecting lives.

But for every 100 alarms that go off, about 98 are false alarms—meaningless noise that clogs up phone lines, absorbs police time, and wastes public resources. Ken calls false alarms a “cost of doing business” that municipalities must deal with. Most pass it along to security companies in the form of false alarm fines, who in turn pass the cost along to the end users.

The better solution? Stop the false alarms in the first place. Audio-video verification from a service like Deep Sentinel eliminates false alarms for good and sends help when it’s needed—without delay.

In the matter of balancing public safety with public cost, Deep Sentinel is here to help.