Three calls that pay off!
Québec City’s police department has just sent us the statistics for 911
emergency calls pertaining to intrusion alarms. Compared to 2016, there
has been a nearly 7.7% decrease in the number of alarms in 2017. However, compared to the last two years, the January 2018 statistics
indicate an increase in the number of unfounded alarms. Implemented
measures should significantly reduce the number of cancelled calls and
the number of calls cancelled during the response.
Quebec City’s police department believes that the 2017 results can be
explained in part by the three verification calls implemented by
monitoring stations when such calls are made after the sounding of an
alarm, prior to contacting 911’s emergency department. This policy seems
to have been implemented by the monitoring stations before it was even
made mandatory under bylaw 884, which came into effect on January 1,
2018. Meanwhile, CANASA has indeed reported that monitoring station
officials confirmed the implementation of three verification calls at
the beginning of 2017, before contacting 911.
Free for members: the pamphlet to reduce false alarms!
Contrary to 2017 and 2016 statistics, it was noted in January 2018 that
the commercial sector showed an increase in the number of unfounded
alarm calls. No factor or any one circumstance provide an explanation
for this phenomenon.
To further increase awareness among clients regarding unfounded alarms,
CANASA offers a pamphlet designed to inform clients; it highlights,
among other things, reasons that favour preventive measures to reduce
the number of unfounded alarms. Members can order it online (maximum of 100 pamphlets per member) or they can download a PDF version.
CANASA encourages members to distribute it to their customers and
maintain a high level of vigilance when it comes to making them aware of
the consequences of unfounded alarms. History shows that a high number
of fines spur clients to “unplug”. We must remind you that the act of
unplugging leads to financial losses for members, but more importantly,
the clients who not only unplug their intrusion security systems, but
also their fire detection systems (smoke and CO2), incur great risks.