What is Video Alarm Verification?
Updated June 2023.
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!
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