SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - On Friday, a citywide search was unway after a panic alarm notified police of a situation at a Salt Lake City home. ABC 4 "took action" to find out which is more effective, security systems or calling 911.
Valley Communications Center in West Valley is a busy place. As the state's largest dispatching agency, they handle more than 3,500 911 calls everyday; hundreds of those coming directly from alarm companies.
"The alarm company calls us on a dedicated line that isn't 911 but, it is a dedicated line," said Geena Randall, spokeswoman for Valley Communications. "Then we create a call and dispatch the appropriate units."
Police say Friday morning, when 34-year-old Veronique Moses went missing after her panic alarm sounded, that's exactly what happened.
"The circumstances of the alarm company receiving that trigger, and hearing the argument was very alarming," said Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Robin Snyder.
But, both police and dispatchers say that although on Friday the alarm system proved helpful, that is not always the case.
If we get information directly from the person involved instead of the alarm company, we have real time information that can help those who are responding, says Randall.
Randall also says calling 911 could mean a faster response time.
"We ask for a drop time when the alarm company received the call, and that drop time could add up to a minute before we get notified to send out units."
