Verified Alarm Response Program (V.A.R.P)

Hand on key pad of house alarm

As of March 1^st, 2024, the Peterborough Police Service will be joining other police services by introducing a Verified Alarm Response Program (VARP). This means Alarm Monitoring Services will be required to verify any alarm signal they receive prior to notifying police.

The Peterborough Police Service is adopting VARP to improve service delivery to residents and business owners and to decrease the time spent responding to false alarms as we ensure we have the right people in the right place at the right time to do the right thing. Annually, the Peterborough Police Service responds to approximately 1,000 calls for service regarding alarms with a 5-year average false rate of approximately 94%.

To dispatch police, alarm monitoring services will have to verify that a criminal offence has occurred or is occurring or that there is imminent threat to personal safety, medical or fire emergency through a verified response such as:

Audio Signal (confirm criminal activity through sound detected on the premises)
Video Signal (confirm criminal activity through visual images)
On-Scene Witnesses (who can confirm suspected criminal activity from the scene)
Multiple Alarm Activation Points (at least two sensors in a manner or sequence that indicates suspected criminal activity)

Panic/Hold-Up/Duress Alarms

In addition to the above, the Peterborough Police Service will continue to provide immediate response to panic/hold-up/duress alarms when there is reason to believe that a crime is in progress, or an emergency exists. Verification of a panic alarm is not required as the safety of the community is paramount.

Registration

Addresses already registered with the Peterborough Police Service will not have to re-register under the VARP program, however, there are fees attached to amendments to current registrations and any new registrations. Under the new program, the alarm monitoring agencies will be invoiced for any false alarms at locations the alarm company monitors. This includes cancelled alarms where officers have been dispatched but have not arrived on scene.

Registration Requirements

All registrations must include:

Name, address and phone number of alarm agency responsible
Name, phone number and email address of a contact person at the alarm agency responsible for monitoring the alarm system
The correct business or residential address for the alarm system and owner contact information
The correct and up to date key holder contact information
The Alarm Agency customer number or account number for the alarm system
Payment of the applicable registration fee outlined in “Schedule A”

Fees (Schedule A)

Alarm Registration (New) $150.00

Alarm Registration (Amendment) $100.00

False Alarm $150.00

Cancelled Alarm $75.00

Suspension Reinstatement Fee $300.00

The Peterborough Police Service will continue to dispatch verified alarm activations as a high priority call with our response being determined by the nature of the call, other priorities and available resources at the time of request for police.

For more information, please contact your alarm monitoring provider or contact the Peterborough Police Service Alarm Administrator at ppscustomerservice@peterborough.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a false alarm?

An alarm that prompts a police response to a premise where an emergency or criminal offence does not exist.

What can I do to prevent a false alarm?

Secure all protected doors and windows.
Keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters, plants, curtains, seasonal decorations, or other obstructions away from motion sensor areas.
Educate all of your alarm system users. All users must be trained in how to operate your system and know how to cancel the alarm if the system activates.
Have your alarm monitoring service check and service your system regularly.
Notify your alarm monitoring service if: you think your system isn't working properly, if you plan any remodeling, changing phone systems and intercoms or installing wiring near keypads or the system control panel.
Notify your alarm monitoring service if you hire someone to work in your home or business when you may not be there, get a new pet, plan to sell your house, or are testing your system.
Contact your alarm monitoring service if you have a phone service or name change, or if situations change, such as someone with special needs is now residing at the residence.
Your alarm monitoring service should not request a police dispatch for power outages, low battery signals or loss of telephone connections.
Replace old monitoring equipment with newer, high security monitoring technology.
Test your system with the alarm monitoring service once a month.
Contact your alarm monitoring service before testing.

As a client of an alarm monitoring service, what should I do now?

You should contact your alarm monitoring service to discuss these changes and learn more about their current services, alarm settings, and response options.

Who will be billed if my residence or business has a false alarm where police respond?

The Alarm Monitoring Company will receive that invoice from the police service.

Who needs to register in order for police to respond to an alarm call?

It is the responsibility of the Alarm Monitoring Stations to initially register the alarm with the Peterborough Police Service and provide police with any amendents to an existing registration . Alarm users, such as businesses and residential clients of alarm companies are no longer required to register their alarms with the Peterborough Police Service.

Documents

Peterborough Police Service Board Alarm By-law (VARP)

For more information, please contact your alarm monitoring provider or contact the Peterborough Police Service Alarm Administrator at ppscustomerservice@peterborough.ca