As the owner of a security systems alarm company here in Austin, I’m often asked if the Austin Police Department responds to alarms.
After all, if someone is breaking into your home or business, you want them stopped and apprehended right away.
If an alarm system doesn’t help do that, then what good is it? If the police won’t respond in a timely manner, then why have an alarm system in the first place?
Those are fair questions, so let me answer them for you.
Criminals, police officers and alarm company owners will tell you the primary reason to have an alarm system is NOT to summon the police in the event of a break-in.
Sure, summoning the police is nice, and that is one big reason why you should have a monitored home security system.
However, the biggest reason for investing in a home security burglar alarm system is to PREVENT A BURGLARY from happening in the first place.
Criminals avoid homes with alarm systems. They don’t want to take a chance of being caught. Study after study supports the fact that alarm systems deter crime from happening in the first place.
And keep in mind that summoning the police is not the only way to respond to an alarm at your home or business.
Affordable technology exists that allows our alarm monitoring center to see in real time what’s happening at your home or business. If an actual break-in or dangerous situation is in progress, we can communicate that to the Austin Police or other authorities. That obviously improves response time because they know the situation is real and we are communicating exactly what we are seeing.
Two-way voice systems exist which allow us to also hear and communicate with people inside your home or business. You’ve seen basic versions of this technology in the “help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up” commercials on TV. These systems are useful for a variety of reasons, including police department response times to break-ins.
When the alarm monitoring center can hear activity inside a home or business, they can communicate that information to the police. That improves response. They can also speak to those inside the home or business and warn them that the authorities are on the way.
How many of you get alerts on your phone from your bank, or sports scores, or weather alerts? You can get alarm alerts on your phone too. These alerts will let you know if your alarm system is activated. And if you have video cameras, they can transmit live video to your phone, so you can see what’s happening.
Yes, the Austin Police Department still responds to alarm systems. Due to the high volume of false alarms however, it may be a lower level priority for them depending upon other activity.
Get information on the alarm permits required by the City of Austin at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/alarm-administration.
If you’d like to talk about response to your alarm system, call our team of experts today at 512-693-4003.
