Editing Security alarm (section)

==False and absent alarms==
The [[United States Department of Justice]] estimates that between 94% and 98% of all alarm calls to law enforcement are [[false alarm]]s.<ref name="Sampson"/>

System reliability and user error are the cause of most false alarms, sometimes called "nuisance alarms." False alarms can be very costly to local governments, local law enforcement, security system users and members of local communities. In 2007, the Department of Justice reported that in just one year, false alarms cost local municipalities and their constituents at least $1.8 billion.<ref name="Sampson"/>

In many municipalities across the United States, policies have been adopted to fine home and business owners for multiple false alarm activations from their security system. If multiple false alarms from the same property persist, that property could be added to a "no response" list, which prevents police dispatch to the property except in the event of verified emergency.  Approximately 1% of police alarm calls actually involve a crime.<ref name="Sampson">{{citation|last=Sampson|first=Rana|title=False Burglar Alarms 2nd Edition|url=http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Publications/e0307265.pdf|publisher=US Department of Justice / Office of Community Oriented Policing Services|isbn=978-1-932582-04-8|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814062743/http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/Publications/e0307265.pdf|archive-date=2014-08-14|year=2011}}</ref><!-- <ref>{{cite web|title=Newsroom: Council Approves Changes to Alarm Ordinance |publisher=City of Reno|date=26 September 2007|access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref> 
 --> Nuisance alarms occur when an unintended event evokes an alarm status by an otherwise properly working alarm system.  A false alarm also occurs when there is an alarm system malfunction that results in an alarm state. In all three circumstances, the source of the problem should be immediately found and fixed, so that responders will not lose confidence in the alarm reports.  It is easier to know when there are false alarms, because the system is designed to react to that condition.  Failure alarms are more troublesome because they usually require periodic testing to make sure the sensors are working and that the correct signals are getting through to the monitor.  Some systems are designed to detect problems internally, such as low or dead batteries, loose connections, phone circuit trouble, etc. While earlier nuisance alarms could be set off by small disturbances, like insects or pets, newer model alarms have technology to measure the size/weight of the object causing the disturbance, and thus are able to decide how serious the threat is, which is especially useful in burglar alarms.

Some municipalities across the [[United States]] require alarm verification before police are dispatched. Under this approach, alarm monitoring companies must verify the legitimacy of alarms (except holdup, duress, and [[panic button|panic alarms]]) before calling the police. Verified response typically involves visual on-scene verification of a break-in, or remote audio or video verification.<ref name="Sampson"/>