As of January 1, 2024, the Greater Sudbury Police Service will be joining many other police services in the province by launching a Verified Security Alarm Response Program (VSARP). This will require Alarm Monitoring Services to verify any alarm signal they receive prior to notifying police. Verifying an alarm signal prior to calling police will also be required by home and business owners for residential and business alarms.

GSPS is adopting a VSARP to improve service delivery to residents and business owners of the City of Greater Sudbury, and to decrease the time spent responding to false alarms, as we continue to effectively and efficiently deploy resources. 

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 (confirmation of criminal activity by sounds detected within premises);
  • Video signal (confirmation of criminal activity through visual images);
  • On-scene witnesses (who can confirm existence of suspected criminal activity); and/or
  • Multiple alarm activation points (at least two separate/different sensors in a manner or sequence which indicates suspected criminal activity is or has taken place).

Greater Sudbury Police will not dispatch officers to any alarm that has not been verified under the Verified Security Alarm Response Program (VSARP) and will not dispatch officers to any alarm that is communicated via an automatic dialing device.

If a panic, hold-up or duress alarm is received, officers will be dispatched. Verification for these types of alarms is not required.

Verified alarm activations are treated as high priority calls for service. Police response is determined by the nature of demand, priorities and resources available at the time of the request for police response.

As of January 1, 2024, we will now be billing the alarm monitoring services instead of the property owners. Additionally, we will now be charging a partial fee (Cancelled Accepted False Alarm) for alarm calls that are cancelled after officers have been dispatched but have not yet arrived on scene.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service deals directly with alarm monitoring services regarding alarm management. Officers will respond to all alarm calls placed by alarm monitoring services once there has been verification of criminal activity, medical or fire emergency.  Please ensure that your information is current with your alarm monitoring service.     

As part of the new program, there will no longer be an annual fee for registration. However, as of January 1, 2024, a new fee schedule will apply as follows:
False alarm - $160.00 + HST
Cancelled accepted false alarm - $80.00 + HST

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a False Alarm?
A false alarm is an alarm call for service, received directly or indirectly, to provide a police response to a signal from an alarm system, which police determine was caused by anything other than criminal activity, imminent threat to personal safety, medical or fire emergency.
How can I 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 checked 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 domestic help, 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. 
Why does a false alarm occur?
  • An alarm system activated unnecessarily, improperly or for a purpose other than for which the alarm device or system was installed, carried or worn;
  • The alarm monitoring service or alarm system user testing an alarm system without the prior knowledge of Communication Services;
  • Where no evidence exists of criminal activity or imminent threat to personal safety, which the system was installed/utilized to warn of;
  • An alarm system actually or apparently activated by mechanical failure, malfunction or faulty equipment;
  • An alarm activated by negligence or carelessness; and
  • An alarm system actually or apparently activated by atmospheric conditions, excessive vibrations or power failure.
Will I be able to continue to register my alarm with GSPS?
No, alarm registration ended on January 1, 2023

I paid to register my alarm until March 31, 2024. Will I get a refund for my registration fee for the period of January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024?

Premises that were registered for the periods ending prior to December 31, 2022, may be re-imbursed partial fees, which will be based on registration period and false alarm calls responded to at the involved premises. Please reach out to the Alarm Coordinator via e-mail at alarms@gsps.ca to request reimbursement of registration fees.
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.