False home alarms will soon trigger extra fees

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It could get expensive for homeowners who falsely trigger their home alarm systems. As of September, Hamilton Police will be charging 150 dollars for all false alarms that involve a police dispatch. A home security expert has some tips about how you can prevent costly charges and still protect your home.

They are meant to protect you and your property but a lot of homeowners unintentionally set off their home security alarms, draining police resources. Last year Hamilton Police responded to over four thousand alarm calls – 97 percent of which were false.

“We need to be out there protecting the public and this isn’t the way to do it” says Sgt. Barry Stoltz.

Effective September, Hamilton Police are changing the alarm response program. Monitoring stations will have to have a signed contract with police. Alarm calls will have to be verified before police are called and police will bill security monitoring companies $150 dollars every time they respond to a false alarm.

Experts say the best way to prevent triggering a false alarm is to use a security company that employs two way voice communication.

Jennifer Morgan with Canadian Security Professionals has some tips for homeowners. “For instance, you set your alarm system off by accident, you can communicate a passcode that you set up ahead of time with a safe word with the agent and the agent can turn your alarm off before the police are dispatched.”

Security systems can run as low as ten dollars a month and as high as 70. But consumers are warned to be careful what they sign up for. Do your homework, and ask the right questions.

“How do you respond to an alarm? What is their dispatch protocol? Ask them how many numbers they call before automatically dispatching a police officer? Do they automatically dispatch before speaking to you? And make sure they – 100 percent – include two way voice in their alarm system package.”