'Seattle police won't respond to security alarms without evidence of support.'

Starting next week, police in Seattle will stop responding to burglary alarms triggered by sensors or motion detectors, which has taken many security system companies by surprise.

Washington Alarm CEO Shannon Woodman stated on Planet Chronicle Digital Wednesday that their greatest concern is the potential increase in crime and they do not want it to happen.

From Oct. 1, the Seattle Police Department will only send officers to alarm calls that have "evidence, such as audio, video, panic alarms or eyewitness testimony," indicating a break-in at a home or business, as stated in a letter from interim police chief Sue Rahr to alarm companies.

In 2023, out of the 13,000 alarm calls received, only less than 4% were confirmed to have resulted in a crime that led to an arrest or a report being written, as stated in Rahr's letter dated Sept. 13.

According to Rahr, most calls were due to unintentional sensor trips caused by homeowners or employees, or outdated or faulty equipment.

Due to low staffing, we cannot prioritize a patrol response when there is a very low probability of criminal activity occurring.

Woodman acknowledged that police resources are limited, but contended that mandating tens of thousands of alarm users to install expensive video security systems is unrealistic, particularly given the short notice, as she only received the letter last week.

According to Woodman, research from major cities shows that around 85% of customers never experience false alarms.

"Taking police response away won't solve false alarm problems," she stated.

In a public safety committee meeting this week, several Seattle alarm company representatives, including Woodman, opposed the SPD policy change.

Ashley Barber, with 13 years of experience in the security industry, informed city council members on Tuesday that law enforcement and the security industry can collaborate to develop a solution to false alarms that would benefit customers without leaving them stranded and exposed at the most critical moment.

The National Security Industry Alarm Coalition supports verified response only for customers who frequently trigger false alarms, as stated in a report shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Rahr's office did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

Over the past few years, hundreds of officers have left SPD, making it challenging for the department to replenish its ranks.

Despite offering the highest salary in the state, Seattle's police department has seen a significant decrease in staffing, with the number of fully trained officers dropping from nearly 1,400 to around 930.

According to the Times, city councillors are set to approve a $50,000 bonus for experienced hires, which is the highest among nearby cities.