Al's Certified Safe and Lock offers alarm response and monitoring services.

Recently laws have been changing for alarm system owners that affect how law enforcement will respond to an activated alarm.

Many cities are now implementing new policies on responding to alarm calls. Verified Response is a policy that requires that the alarm or monitoring company verify there is actual criminal activity or unusual occurrence at the location of the alarm before police are dispatched.

Verification is provided by either video or audio, along with an eyewitness to the crime occurring.

Verified Response is in effect in about 28 cities throughout the United States including Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Fremont, California.

City of Modesto Implements New Policy for Alarms

If you have an alarm system and are a resident of the City of Modesto, there are a few things you should know. Effective September 1, 2006 Modesto Police Department will be instituting a new policy called "Verified Response" to all burglar alarm calls.

"Verified Response" will require the alarm or monitor company to verify there is criminal activity or unusual occurrence at the location of the alarm before the police will be dispatched.

This policy has been enacted due to the amount of false alarms resources get tied up with. 99% of the alarm calls the City of Modesto has responded to have been false alarms. This time responding represents the time of approximately five full-time Officer positions. Alarm calls are the single highest volume call for service received by the Police Department.

The City of Modesto also requires that all alarm to have an alarm permit and key holder must respond if reached by Modesto Police. If the key holder refuses to respond, a fine of $100 will be assessed by the City.

The Modesto Police Department discourages you from responding to verify an alarm. This is the responsibility of your alarm company. There is a potential danger to responding to an alarm activation and encountering a suspect, or Law Enforcement Officer who might happen upon the scene and confuse you with a criminal. INSIST THAT YOUR ALARM COMPANY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALARM VERIFICATION.