The city I’m moving to recently passed an amendment to their False Alarm ordinance which clarified that a Verified Response can include video or audio confirmation by the monitoring company or the owner.
If I change to the Gold Interactive monitoring, which enables the “Wireless 2-Way Voice” (audio) capability, would your monitoring agent be able to use this audio feed to verify a break-in and proceed with notifying the local police?
I am planning to install an IP Camera for me to also provide video confirmation using my Internet-connected phone/computer as well. Is it possible for me to link my video feed with my Alarm.com account such that your agent could use that video feed to confirm a break-in? Or would your agent call me to have me check the video feed and confirm?
Can you provide information on how your monitoring center handles triggered alarms for people like me who live in cities with False Alarm ordinances? If I have the Gold Interactive monitoring, will your agent use the audio feed as a way to verify if someone did in fact break in or if it is a false alarm? Will you still attempt to call me when the alarm goes off or is the audio feed sufficient for you to proceed with alerting the police?
Sorry for all the questions but I have never lived in a city with a False Alarm ordinance so I just want to make sure I understand.
If I change to the Gold Interactive monitoring, which enables the “Wireless 2-Way Voice” (audio) capability, would your monitoring agent be able to use this audio feed to verify a break-in and proceed with notifying the local police?
Operators will in fact listen in to the audio feed, but for only a short period. They will speak through the 2 Way and look for response. If activity is heard but no verified passcode response, this info can be used with authorities if further phone contacts confirm no one should be home.
However, I will say that by experience, video verification is a lot better.
I am planning to install an IP Camera for me to also provide video confirmation using my Internet-connected phone/computer as well. Is it possible for me to link my video feed with my Alarm.com account such that your agent could use that video feed to confirm a break-in? Or would your agent call me to have me check the video feed and confirm?
Currently, your video feed/saved video is only accessible by you. Your primary Alarm.com login and any additional ones you create and give access to. Our operators do not view video.
Alarm.com is aware of the verification requirement in certain areas. One great option is to have a lower res copy of a saved video clip be automatically sent to your smartphone in the event of a recording. You can then view the clip, decide if authority response is needed, and report.
You can also immediately check live video when an alarm happens. You can set alarm notifications to go straight to your phone, so you get notified within a few seconds.
Will you still attempt to call me when the alarm goes off or is the audio feed sufficient for you to proceed with alerting the police?
Yes, operators will answer two way, then continue with contacts. They will not dispatch immediately based on 2 Way (unless a burglary is confirmed or duress code is given, etc.)
Everytime (falsely) mine has gone off, they’re on the speaker asking if everything is ok. If you don’t answer, (don’t give the correct keyword or give the duress keyword-cops come), they try the phone #'s listed. If no answer or you’re not home, they’ll call the Po-Po.
My city has a false alarm ordinance too. They don’t want any! Lol. If your alarm goes off, you’re unreachable and the police show up without something actually happening - there’s a $75 fine (doubles then triples). Although each person is allowed 3 false alarms each quarter before they are fined.