CANASA Recommended Response Policy

OVERVIEW

The issue of false dispatches remains an industry problem. We must continue to address the problem at every level and most importantly, we must realize that it is not a 'police' problem; it is our problem. Many police departments across the country are trying various combinations of suspensions, fines, permits, charges for each response, etc. causing an administrative challenge for Alarm companies that deal with many police departments and municipalities. Several police departments have been working with CANASA to implement the CANASA Model By-law and have noticed a positive reduction in false dispatches. However, it is not to the point of complete false alarm elimination.

We recognize that the urban response challenge will vary significantly from rural areas where alternative response options may be limited or non-existent. We must continue to encourage the use of the model by-law for areas where customers do not have alternatives. Support of alternative response companies, where they exist, should also be encouraged.

RECOMMENDATION

  1. To continue to work with the authorities having jurisdiction, such as police departments, to develop by-laws that would enhance the alarm response to our customers.
  2. To make it known that we are extremely concerned with the potential hazards posed by encouraging untrained and unsupported members of the public to attend alarm calls, as is the case of "verified response" policies.
  3. To make it known that we do not support the "percentage false dispatch" reporting, while instead fully endorsing the use of the "alarm factor" method of false dispatch measurement.
  4. To work with Alarm and related associations and interest groups for the purpose of researching and developing new concepts that will reduce false dispatches and enhance the service provided by alarm systems.
  5. To recognize that we must work with the private sector to promote the use of private alarm response as a result of the continued unwillingness of many police services to adopt the CANASA MODEL BYLAW. This will provide our customers with a response time that is acceptable, will improve the response times currently provided by the public sector, and will give the alarm industry more control of our product and thereby our destiny.
  6. To work to establish standards and/or regulations for private security guards relative to their duties in alarm response.

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