Sonitrol Security Celebrates 50 Years of Protecting Property
Sonitrol Security confirms 170,093 apprehensions as of September 22, 2013 and counting!
For decades, Sonitrol has defined itself as a security company known for the apprehension of burglars and intruders. Since opening the first franchise in June 1964, Sonitrol’s unique impact activated, audio intrusion detection technology has provided business customers and homeowners with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling protection with real-time monitoring and alarm verification
The key benefit to impact-activated audio security systems is their ability to monitor an entire space with early detection and verification of an intrusion. This results in a much quicker law enforcement response time that leads to apprehensions.
Unlike conventional alarm systems, which may only rely on door switches and motion sensors to trigger an alarm transmission, Sonitrol’s audio-based verified alarms provide detection for all points of entry — including windows, vents, ceilings and roofs. Each activation is then directly monitored by trained audio specialists to confirm the authenticity of a break-in or incident of property vandalism before dispatching local law enforcement.
With countless cities and municipalities facing substantial budget deficits, the benefit of Sonitrol’s approach to alarm verification has become increasingly significant. This audio
impact technology can positively identify a break-in — in progress — thereby reducing the costly occurrences of false alarms and achieving more apt response and intruder apprehensions by law enforcement.
Pest Control Turned Against Criminals
The technology, developed 50 years ago in Anderson, Ind., found unlikely beginnings in the business of pest control. Sonitrol’s founder, Robert Baxter, whose family owned a local termite extermination business, originally invented an electronic listening device to detect and pinpoint the exact locations of termites in the walls of buildings. After designing this and various other acoustic devices, Baxter and his wife coined the company’s Sonitrol moniker by combining the words “sound” and “control” in June 1960.
Baxter then teamed up with Al Cronk, who owned a local alarm company at the time, and together they established the Sonitrol brand to provide what some say was the most accurate, reliable alarm equipment and comprehensive security solution in the industry. The first franchise and Sonitrol’s original manufacturing, engineering, and research and development location was established in Anderson in 1964. By 1973, the number of franchise operations had grown to 149 to meet customers’ demands.
Since then, the primary features of Baxter’s original audio-based technology have continued to evolve to offer an unrivaled security solution for businesses, schools, storefronts, warehouses and numerous other types of facilities. In 1974, with the development of Sonitrol’s 5600 System, the company was among the first in the security industry to begin the transition to computerized central stations as a way to improve operations. Progressive technological advances in the monitoring of impact-activated audio systems during the next 40 years have led to the development of several proprietary central station platforms.
“As we get ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary, the heart of what Sonitrol is and always has been in providing businesses and facilities with the ultimate in central station verified audio detection has never strayed,” says Bruce Winner, director of the Sonitrol brand. “Advancements in technology and an unwavering commitment to the needs of our customers have offered us the capability to incorporate additional services, such as central station managed access control and central station video verification, throughout the years.”
According to Winner, the convergence of enhanced alarm verification services has reduced false alarm rates, provided more immediate alerts for faster police response and allowed Sonitrol to achieve the highest documented apprehension rate in the security industry. “If an intruder breaks into a customer’s facility, we do not want to scare them away, we want to catch them,” he says.
Law Enforcement Valued as Key Partmer in Security Mission
At 170,093 documented apprehensions since 1977, as of September 22, 2013, Sonitrol not only tracks the number of criminals caught with the use of the technology but also says those results prove the credibility of its professionally trained operators, and their fine-tuned judgment to detect unusual noises and sounds associated with criminal activity. At the same time, Sonitrol recognizes its accomplishments would be nonexistent were it not for the outstanding efforts and skilled response of its partners in public safety — local law enforcement.
“Our technology could never have achieved the success that it has in this highly competitive industry without the expertise and courageous response of local law enforcement to arrive onsite to confront and apprehend individuals,” Winner says. “Really, the Sonitrol technology is only a piece of the formula in protecting our customers and their properties, and we are committed to engaging local law enforcement in communities throughout the country.”
Sonitrol has established police relations programs throughout the various communities associated with its 85 local franchises. In instances of notable apprehensions, Sonitrol franchises often host ceremonies to honor local law enforcement, administering awards and certificates to recognize responding officers for a job well done. This has helped cultivate an excellent, trusting relationship with police departments nationwide.
“The effectiveness of our technology and services relies on a crucial partnership with law enforcement,” says Scott Green, security consultant for Sonitrol of Lexington, Ky. “For about 10 years, I’ve been attending the roll-call meetings of local police departments — sometimes as late as 10 p.m. — to present responding officers with certificates of appreciation after a successful apprehension. It’s a simple gesture, but a highly valuable one, to acknowledge these officers in front of their peers. These men and women put their lives on the line every day in the name of our safety and, often, are reminded more of the things they did wrong than the countless times they got it right.”
From Sonitrol’s perspective, law enforcement has a mutual appreciation of the provider’s technology accuracy and alarm verification support. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, of the 38 million alarm activations officers respond to each year, 94%-98% can be attributed to false alarms. This not only results in losses of both taxpayer-funded work time and money in a community, but also in a loss of law enforcement officials’ trust in the validity of alarms in general when responding to calls. However, impact-activated audio allows monitoring specialists to immediately verify whether a break-in is in progress or if a false alarm has sounded, giving police real-time intelligence as they respond to the scene.
“From a reliability standpoint, certainly what separates Sonitrol from other alarm companies is the crucial and accurate information that is provided to law enforcement officers on the way to a scene,” Winner says. “Security is no longer a guessing game and because our method of alarm verification keeps false alarm dispatch rates so low, Sonitrol verified alarms are given a higher priority at local police departments. The average police response time is 85% faster when responding to Sonitrol’s verified security alarms.”
Loud Praise for Impact Audio Provider
In addition to partnering with law enforcement, Sonitrol credits its heightened level of attentiveness and quality customer service in allowing the company to thrive the past 50 years.
Here are a couple of testimonials:
“Sonitrol is the best in the industry. The staff is very responsive. When an alarm is tripped at one of our homes or at one of our restaurants, they call us right away,” says Roger Glass, owner of Marion’s Piazza in Dayton, Ohio, serviced by Sonitrol of Southwest Ohio. “In 38 years, we have never had any issues with Sonitrol, and that is why we are such a loyal customer.”
“I was impressed with the knowledgeable sales team, installation crew and central station staff, and especially the way they operated like a family,” says Scott Aronof of Prasco Laboratories, headquartered in Cincinnati and also serviced by Sonitrol of Southwest Ohio. “Communication is key to me and everyone I have interacted with [at Sonitrol] has risen to the level that I expect from a security partner. Prasco’s motto is, ‘Do good, do well,’ and I feel Sonitrol does things right, in a responsible and ethical fashion. From the top down, they act as a partner, not just a vendor.”