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RESPONSE TO SILENT / AUDIBLE ALARMS

RADIO CODES: SIGNAL 2 (Silent Alarm R/B/HU) | SIGNAL 3 (Audible Alarm R/B/HU)
SOP: 3-3.106 | Effective Date: January 1, 2017
IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office to respond to silent and audible alarms as quickly and safely as possible. Persons who commit these crimes are CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. Due to this danger and the danger to private citizens, the deputy must approach these calls with the utmost alertness and professionalism.

General Procedures

  1. Normally, at least two (2) deputies will be dispatched for silent alarms and one (1) deputy for audible alarms.
  2. The deputies should inspect the premises to determine if there is any evidence of entry.
  3. If the deputy determines entry has been made, the deputy will immediately notify the 911 Communications Center of such entry and request assistance. The deputy will then attempt to cover the location from the outside and wait until assistance arrives before searching the building.
  4. If the owner/manager has been notified but there will be a considerable time span prior to their arrival on scene, the deputy will return to service and request the dispatcher to instruct the owner / manager to call the 911 Communications Center upon his arrival so that the deputy can return.
  5. In the event of storm(s) causing numerous alarms, the supervisor may have the deputies' check the calls while remaining in service or choose priority alarms such as glass breakage or high profile businesses. The deputy will consult their supervisor for instructions.

Bank Alarms / Normal Hour Business Alarms

  1. When the alarm is activated, The 911 Communications Center will dispatch a car immediately. Upon arrival, the deputy will take up a position where he can observe all entrances and exits if possible and still remain out of sight from persons within the business.
  2. The 911 Communications Center will then telephone the bank / business and ask if the alarm is valid. If the bank / business official advises the bank / business is okay, the dispatched car will be advised immediately.
  3. The bank / business official will then be asked by the 911 Communications Center to meet the responding deputy outside the bank / business in a safe location (away from the front door).
  4. Prior to exiting the building, a complete description of the official, including clothing colors will be obtained by the 911 Communications Center and relayed to the deputy. If no one appears, the deputy is to treat the call as a Robbery-in-Progress, take cover and call for backup.

Monitoring and Responding to Private Security Alarms

The 911 Communications Center does not monitor private security alarms. However, the agency does respond to calls received from private alarm companies that handle burglary and holdup alarms for businesses, financial institutions and private residences. Upon receipt of an alarm call, deputies will be dispatched in accordance with current procedures.