Security FAQ

Have a Question? We have the Answer!

• What is the difference between your system and every other alarm company’s system?
• My company also sends police when necessary, so why do I need Sonitrol?
• Doesn’t every company get false alarms?
• Why do the police respond to Sonitrol alarm calls more quickly?
• Is Sonitrol more expensive?
• Is Sonitrol good for my home as well?
• Do criminals still get away from Sonitrol protected facilities?

What is the difference between your system and every other alarm company's system?

Thanks to our audio technology, Sonitrol is able to provide floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall coverage, protecting areas that can’t be seen by conventional systems’ motion detectors. And with Sonitrol’s live audio signals, there’s no guesswork. Our operators can swiftly verify what’s happening and either call the police or reset the system, virtually eliminating false alarms.

My company also sends police when necessary, so why do I need Sonitrol?

Your alarm company relies on signals from door contacts, glass breaks, and motion detectors. These types of signals aren’t received until the bad guy is already inside your space! Sonitrol’s audio technology enables us to hear the criminals while they’re still trying to get in. Police are swiftly dispatched, and often arrive before entry is gained! In addition, your alarm company’s signals can’t be verified, so there’s no way to distinguish a false alarm from a real break-in.

In fact, prior to dispatching the police, Florida law now requires all conventional alarm companies (not Sonitrol) to contact your facility first in an effort to verify that the alarm is not false. If no one answers, then they are required to call you at home to further determine if the alarm signal is false or not. You usually will be asked if you want the police dispatched – essentially putting their job in your hands. If it is a false alarm, you may be fined.

Since Sonitrol verifies the alarm signal through live audio, we are not required to contact you first. This means the police can be at your site within minutes. In fact, the average response time for Sonitrol dispatches in North America is 3.5 minutes.

Doesn’t every company get false alarms?

Of course, no system is completely false-alarm free. However, Sonitrol has the lowest false alarm rate – only 3% compared to the whopping 97% false alarm rate of conventional alarm companies. In addition, Sonitrol offers a False Alarm Guarantee that is unparalleled in the industry.

Why do the police respond to Sonitrol alarm calls more quickly?

Conventional alarms are notorious for generating false alarm dispatches, and therefore law enforcement assigns them a Priority Level of 7 (with 1 being the highest level of dispatch priority.) Verified signals are treated as witnessed events, second only to Police in Trouble/Officer Down calls (number one on the priority list.) With a verified alarm signal, law enforcement personnel are eager to arrive at the scene while the perpetrator is on-site so they can make an arrest!

Is Sonitrol more expensive?

Sonitrol systems are not the cookie-cutter systems offered by conventional alarm companies. A cheaper price isn’t a better price if you aren’t getting the coverage you need. Very few homes and businesses are fully protected with the standard “three openings and a keypad” design you might get elsewhere for $99, or perhaps even for free. All of our products are competitively priced without sacrificing quality and service.

Is Sonitrol good for my home as well?

Sonitrol is a commercial-grade service that is most often employed for non-residential applications. However, in that many individuals want the best security available for their homes, Sonitrol is happy to consult with you about satisfying your residential needs as well.

Do criminals still get away from Sonitrol protected facilities?

Generally speaking, criminals who know us avoid Sonitrol protected facilities. Because our coverage is 100%, they know they can’t break in and be undetected. Still, there are some who try that do manage to get away. With our live audio detection, the police typically respond very quickly, often arriving before the bad guys enter your premises. This means they can simply drop what they’re doing and run. The good news is, the bad guys who got away never made it inside your business, and your valuables are safe. They won’t return to your site because they now know how quickly the police will arrive. They’ll go for the business with a conventional alarm next time.