What is Video Alarm Verification?
Video alarm verification is a tried-and-true technology that is an underused component in residential and commercial security systems. Video alarm verification adds an extra element to your overall security by partnering your security system with an alarm monitoring center. When an alarm is triggered, video alarm verification allows monitoring center employees to view the situation silently without tipping off intruders. Staff can then contact emergency services to confirm the emergency is genuine and not a false alarm.
What makes video alarm verification different?
Video alarm verification offers more comprehensive coverage than traditional alarms that might only cover points of entry. Older systems can sometimes only activate once the intruder is inside your property.
Thanks to the nature of the technology, video recording is isolated to specific events that trigger the alarm. Unlike traditional closed-circuit television, you won’t have to spend unnecessary time filtering through countless hours of video to find relevant footage.
Some security systems operate so that a monitoring system employee will call the home or business owner to confirm that a crime is in progress when the alarm is tripped. This tactic has proven to be less effective. With video alarm verification, the monitoring company can immediately determine whether a crime is in progress and notify authorities.
Video verification has drastically decreased the frequency of false alarms. With monitoring and verification, any false alarms can be negated without wasting the resources of local emergency services. Monitoring and confirming that a crime is occurring also helps express the situation’s urgency to law enforcement. Some municipalities have established fines for false alarms and policies that allow officers to ignore unverified alarms.
Video alarm verification contributes to higher arrest rates in two ways. First, video footage is typically captured silently, so intruders are often unaware they are being watched. Video monitoring allows authorities to arrive without tipping off any criminals. Second, video footage is often captured before, during, and after a break-in, so the footage can be used as evidence for any subsequent legal proceedings.
Video verification’s added efficiency and effectiveness take every security system to the next level. Not only does video verification technology give consumers additional peace of mind and safeguards, but it also helps law enforcement in their respective efforts. FSS Technologies can outfit your business with the latest and greatest video verification and alarm monitoring technology. Contact our friendly security professionals today!
Explore Our Other Blogs
Are You a Spectrum Customer Losing Service?
When Spectrum closed the doors on its home security system business in February 2020, many customers were left high and dry. The Spectrum Backstory Spectrum is a subsidiary of Charter Communications, the second-largest cable provider in the country offering service in 42 states. Charter inherited Spectrum in a 2016 merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House…
What is an Emergency Action Plan?
The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to inform employees of what actions they should take if an emergency occurs at work. It’s required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and it can be critical in preventing the loss of property, or lives, in a crisis. If an emergency alarm went off…
Why Night Staff Should Have Fire Alarm Training
In the years that I traveled as a Sales Representative, I experienced many times when a fire alarm would go off throughout the night. As the hotel guests evacuated, I often found that the night staff didn’t know what to do. In almost every case, it was an accidental alarm, and in many cases, night…
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
How Does a Fire Alarm Work? Fire alarm systems have two main functions: Alert the occupants of a building to a fire emergency enabling a safe evacuation Notify firefighters of the fire emergency. Options for Fire Alarms Manual Fire Alarms Manual fire alarms, also known as manual pull stations, are a way for people to alert…
5 Common Causes of Commercial Fires
Many business owners and employees think their chances of dealing with a fire in the workplace are improbable, but the numbers tell a different story. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 116,500 commercial fires were reported nationally in 2021. These fires contributed to 115 deaths, 1,025 injuries, and over $3.6 billion in…
Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry
Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…
Fire Alarm Troubleshooting Tips
Your commercial fire alarm system plays a critical role in protecting your building, occupants, and operations. When it works as intended, it provides early warning and supports a safe, coordinated response from your team and first responders during an emergency. When it doesn’t, even small issues can lead to compliance concerns, inspection findings, or unnecessary…
Best Security System Setups for Senior Citizens
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90% of senior citizens want to stay in their homes as they age even if they need day-to-day assistance or have ongoing health issues like early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Unfortunately, criminals often target senior citizens as victims. Thieves assume older people will not be able…
Reasons to Choose a Local Security Company
Whether you’re considering investing in a home or commercial security system or switching providers, you may be weighing local and national companies. Which companies can you trust? Is there a difference in service between your options? Does a larger company necessarily mean better service? There are pros and cons to both sizes of company, but…
Fire Prevention, Protection, and Suppression Systems
Fire safety is a crucial matter that every business should prioritize. Whether it’s caused by arson or an accident, a fire can cause catastrophic damage to a company’s property, inventory, and equipment if the proper protection measures aren’t in place or there are operational issues. In more unfortunate cases, insufficient fire safety standards can put…