Question 1

What areas does Watchmen Security serve?

Accepted Answer

Watchmen Security is headquartered in Raytown, MO and primarily serves the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Kansas City, MO and KS, Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, Lee's Summit, Independence, Liberty, and surrounding communities. We also serve clients nationally for multifamily and large commercial projects, with completed installations in Colorado, Texas, and other states.

Question 2

How long has Watchmen Security been in business?

Accepted Answer

Watchmen Security was founded in 2011, making us a 14+ year local security integrator with deep roots in the Kansas City market. We're a locally owned and operated company with a track record of hundreds of completed projects across commercial, multifamily, and critical infrastructure sectors.

Question 3

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Watchmen Security is fully licensed and insured in the state of Missouri and Kansas. We hold all required low voltage contractor licenses for security system installation, and our monitoring center is UL-certified. We're also an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Question 4

Do you offer free security assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer complimentary security assessments for commercial, multifamily, and critical infrastructure properties. During the assessment, one of our security consultants will walk your site, identify vulnerabilities, and provide a custom system recommendation with no obligation. Contact us at (816) 744-8900 or through our contact form to schedule yours.

Question 5

What types of properties do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with commercial office buildings, multifamily apartment communities (our largest vertical at 50%+ of our work), warehouses and distribution centers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, utilities and critical infrastructure, automotive dealerships, sports and entertainment venues, and public sector facilities. If you have a property that needs securing, we have the experience to help.

Question 6

Do you work with new construction projects?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, new construction is one of our specialties. We coordinate directly with general contractors, electricians, and architects during the design-build phase to ensure proper conduit placement, cable pathways, and equipment locations. Working with us early in the construction process saves significant time and money compared to retrofit installations.

Question 7

How is cloud-based video different from a DVR/NVR system?

Accepted Answer

Cloud-based systems store your footage securely off-site with automatic backups and encryption. Unlike DVRs that can be stolen, damaged, or fail, cloud storage is always accessible from any device. You also get automatic software updates and no server hardware to maintain.

Question 8

Can I view my cameras from my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Brivo mobile app gives you live and recorded video access from any smartphone or tablet, anywhere in the world. You can also receive real-time push notifications for motion or analytics events.

Question 9

How many cameras do I need for my property?

Accepted Answer

Every property is different. We conduct a free site assessment to map your coverage needs and recommend the right number and type of cameras. Our goal is complete coverage with no blind spots, tailored to your budget.

Question 10

What happens to my footage if the internet goes down?

Accepted Answer

Brivo cameras include on-board storage that continues recording locally during internet outages. Once connectivity is restored, footage is automatically synced to the cloud, so you never lose a frame.

Question 11

Can cameras integrate with my access control or alarm system?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Brivo's unified platform seamlessly connects video surveillance with access control, so you can see video paired with every door event. Cameras can also be triggered by intrusion alarms, giving you instant visual verification of any alarm event.

Question 12

What resolution are your cameras?

Accepted Answer

We install cameras ranging from 2MP to 4K resolution depending on the application and coverage area. All cameras provide high-definition footage sufficient for facial recognition and license plate identification at specified distances. Our team specifies the right resolution for each camera location during the site design process.

Question 13

What makes Brivo different from other access control systems?

Accepted Answer

Brivo is the global leader in cloud-based access control with over 20 years of experience and 25+ million users worldwide. Unlike legacy systems that require local servers, Brivo runs entirely in the cloud, meaning no on-site hardware to maintain, automatic software updates, and the ability to manage your entire portfolio from one dashboard.

Question 14

Can I manage access from my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Brivo mobile app lets you lock/unlock doors, add or remove users, view access logs, and receive real-time notifications, all from your smartphone. Property managers can manage multiple buildings from anywhere.

Question 15

What types of credentials are supported?

Accepted Answer

Brivo supports mobile phone credentials (Bluetooth/NFC), key cards, fobs, and PIN codes. You can mix and match credential types across your property, for example, mobile for residents and key cards for staff.

Question 16

How does access control integrate with cameras?

Accepted Answer

Every access event can be paired with video from your Brivo cameras. When a door opens, you see who walked through. When access is denied, you see who attempted entry. This integration provides powerful visual verification for every event.

Question 17

What's the ROI on smart apartment technology?

Accepted Answer

Most multifamily owners see a $25–$50/month premium per unit for smart apartment features. For a 200-unit property at $35/month, that's $84,000 in additional annual revenue, often translating to over $1.5 million in increased property value at a 5% cap rate.

Question 18

Can you retrofit existing buildings with access control?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our systems can be installed on virtually any door or gate. For existing buildings, we design minimally invasive installations that work with your current infrastructure. Many properties start with common area access and expand to individual units over time.

Question 19

How does professional monitoring work?

Accepted Answer

When a sensor trips an alarm, our monitoring stations are notified immediately via cellular communication. Trained operators verify the alarm and coordinate with local law enforcement for dispatch. We use triple redundancy across three monitoring stations nationwide, so even if one goes down, you're always protected.

Question 20

Will I get a lot of false alarms?

Accepted Answer

Our professionally installed sensors are calibrated to minimize false alarms. We use commercial-grade motion detectors that distinguish between people and pets, and glass break sensors that differentiate actual breakage from other loud sounds. Combined with AI-powered camera verification, false alarm rates are dramatically reduced.

Question 21

What if my internet goes down?

Accepted Answer

Our intrusion systems communicate via cellular connection, no WiFi required. This means your alarm system works independently of your internet service and continues to protect your property even during outages.

Question 22

Can I arm and disarm the system from my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our cloud-based alarm panel lets you arm, disarm, and check system status from any device. You can also set automated schedules, receive notifications for early arrivals or late closings, and manage user codes remotely.

Question 23

Can intrusion alarms be added to my existing camera system?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Intrusion devices are often the most affordable addition to an existing security setup. When paired with cameras and access control, alarm events trigger camera recording and provide visual verification, making your entire system more effective.

Question 24

Is there a warranty on the equipment?

Accepted Answer

Active monitoring customers receive a limited lifetime warranty covering parts and labor. We stand behind our installations and our ongoing service commitment to keep your system operating at peak performance.

Question 25

Are fire alarm systems required for my building?

Accepted Answer

Most commercial buildings, multifamily properties, and public-occupancy spaces are required by local fire codes to have fire detection and alarm systems. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, building type, and occupancy classification. We'll review your specific requirements during a free consultation.

Question 26

Can you take over monitoring of my existing fire system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you already have a fire alarm system installed, we can often take over monitoring services at competitive rates. We'll inspect your current system, verify it's operational, and connect it to our 24/7 monitoring center.

Question 27

What does an annual fire inspection involve?

Accepted Answer

Our technicians test every smoke detector, heat detector, pull station, and notification device in your system. We verify connections to the monitoring center, test backup batteries, and provide a detailed report documenting compliance for your records and insurance provider.

Question 28

Do you integrate fire alarms with sprinkler systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our fire alarm systems integrate with sprinkler and suppression systems to provide comprehensive protection. When a sprinkler activates, the alarm system is notified automatically, triggering monitoring station alerts and building notifications.

Question 29

How do you coordinate with fire marshals?

Accepted Answer

We work directly with your local fire marshal and building inspectors throughout the design, installation, and inspection process. Our team understands local code requirements and handles all coordination to ensure your system passes inspection the first time.

Question 30

What happens when an alarm goes off?

Accepted Answer

When an alarm triggers, our monitoring center is notified immediately via cellular connection. Operators verify the alarm using your customized response plan, which may include camera verification, phone calls to your contacts, or direct dispatch to law enforcement or fire department. Verified alarms receive priority response.

Question 31

Can you monitor my existing security system?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. We can take over monitoring for many existing intrusion and fire alarm systems. We'll inspect your current system, verify it's operational, and connect it to our 24/7 monitoring center, often at competitive rates compared to your current provider.

Question 32

What's included in managed services?

Accepted Answer

Managed services include proactive system health monitoring, automatic firmware updates, remote troubleshooting, scheduled preventive maintenance, monthly health reports, and priority on-site response when a truck roll is needed. It's a complete, hands-off approach to security system management.

Question 33

How do you reduce false alarms?

Accepted Answer

We use a combination of professional-grade sensors calibrated for your environment, AI-powered camera verification, and strict alarm verification protocols. This multi-layered approach dramatically reduces false alarms and the associated municipal fines.

Question 34

Do I need monitoring if I have cameras?

Accepted Answer

Cameras record events, but monitoring ensures someone is watching and responding. Without monitoring, a camera captures a break-in, but nobody is alerted until you check the footage. With monitoring, the break-in triggers immediate verification and dispatch. The two systems work together for comprehensive protection.

Question 35

Do you offer service contracts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer annual service and maintenance agreements for commercial clients that include scheduled preventive maintenance visits, priority response for service calls, discounted parts pricing, and remote monitoring of system health. Service agreements are recommended for all mission-critical installations to ensure maximum uptime and system longevity.

Question 36

What is your typical response time for service calls?

Accepted Answer

For monitored clients on a managed services agreement, our remote support team typically responds within 2–4 business hours. Many issues can be resolved remotely without an on-site visit. When a truck roll is required, we schedule service visits based on urgency, critical system failures are prioritized for same-day or next-day response.

Question 37

How do I pay my bill?

Accepted Answer

Watchmen Security accepts check, ACH/bank transfer, and major credit cards for monitoring and service invoices. Monitoring subscriptions are billed monthly or annually, annual billing typically provides a discount. Contact our billing team at (816) 744-8900 for questions about your account.

Question 38

Do you charge for the initial site assessment?

Accepted Answer

No. Our security assessments and system design consultations are completely free and carry no obligation. We believe in earning your business by providing genuine value upfront, not by locking you into a contract before you understand what you need.

Question 39

Are monitoring fees included in the installation price?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring is a separate ongoing subscription from the one-time installation cost. We're transparent about both, your proposal will clearly itemize equipment, installation labor, and any recurring monitoring or managed service fees so you can make an informed decision.

Question 40

What happens if my system needs repair after the warranty expires?

Accepted Answer

We provide ongoing service and repair for all systems we install, regardless of warranty status. Clients on managed service agreements receive discounted labor rates and priority scheduling. For clients without an agreement, standard time-and-materials rates apply. Contact us at (816) 744-8900 to discuss the best option for your situation.