Beginning September 1, 2019, Hamilton Police joined other Ontario police services in requiring alarm companies to verify any signals they receive before calling us to dispatch police.
Verifying a signal prior to calling police will also be required when a home or business owner call police directly.
In order to dispatch police, alarm companies or an alarm user must verify that a criminal offence has/is occurring or there is imminent threat to personal safety through:
> Audio signal
> Video signal
> On-scene witness (owner, keyholder, guards, etc.)
> Multiple alarm activation points (at least two separate/different sensors) in a manner or sequence which indicates suspected criminal activity
Hamilton Police will not dispatch officers to any alarm that has not been verified under the verified response program.
Please note, Panic/Hold-Up/Duress alarms will not require verification.
"To help prevent false duress- type alarms, please click here for our Duress Alarm Tip Sheet".
Hamilton Police Service will invoice the monitoring station representing the premises a fee of $169.50 ($150.00 + $19.50 HST) for all alarms requesting a police dispatch which are found to be false. A partial fee of $84.75 ($75.00 + $9.75 HST) will be charged for a cancelled dispatch.
Requests for police dispatch that come directly from the alarm user, or an agent acting on behalf of the owner, will be invoiced to the premises owner.
A false alarm is an alarm where there is no evidence that an unauthorized entry or unlawful act has occurred and will be supported by evidence of such to be accepted as an appeal.
The False Alarm Reduction Unit will deal directly with alarm companies regarding appeal applications. In the event of an appeal, you may forward all relevant information to your alarm provider.
If the alarm is valid, meaning a break & enter has occurred, theft, mischief, property damage etc.., it is expected that the home owner or business contact the HPS immediately for an Officer to attend and have a report completed.
Please click here for a copy of our False Alarm Prevention Tip Sheet.
Please click here for a copy of our Duress-Type Alarm Tip Sheet.
Owning or operating an alarm system comes with many responsibilities which are often forgotten or neglected. To reduce the chances of false dispatches and unnecessary expense to the alarm user, please remember to keep your system in top condition and to follow the list of responsibilities that come with owning or operating your system.
Please feel free to contact us at:
alarms@hamiltonpolice.ca
Phone: 905-546-4718
We no longer require alarm systems to be pre-registered.
If an alarm event should occur at a premises where no permit currently exists, we will issue one at that time and advise the monitoring station of the new permit number .
Download the By-Law
Download the Service Agreement
Please feel free to contact us at:
alarms@hamiltonpolice.ca
Phone: 905-546-4718