We offer installations, servicing, repairs, and monitoring across the entire Western Cape. If we are unable to respond to an alarm within a maximum of 15 minutes, we recommend using the best local armed response company in your area. We provide this service to many clients, and there are no issues with communication between control rooms.

No, there’s no need to change your current system; we can link to it as is. Your passwords and user codes can remain the same, if preferred. Please contact our sales team, who will be happy to assist you. However, we recommend that one of our Sales Representatives visits to assess your current system free of charge, ensuring it complies with current standards. You will need to provide us with your recent supplier’s user code.

Please contact our sales team, all of whom are trained in alarm equipment and have extensive experience in the industry. They will provide you with a FREE assessment of your alarm needs, whether you decide to become a client or not. During the assessment, they will discuss the following:

• Your individual circumstances, such as any potential weak points
• The size of the alarm system required and the possibility of future expansion
• The type of protection you need, including both internal and exterior coverage
• Your pets' needs and habits
• The number of users for the system and any specific access levels required
• Whether you have tenants and if you need to control or monitor your alarm or CCTV system via phone

There are many different types of alarm panels, sensors, detectors, and beams available, each varying in ability, reliability, price, and performance. It’s essential to seek expert advice on the following:

• Choosing the right product for your specific environment
• Proper placement of detectors or beams
• Securing your premises while ensuring compliance with SAIDSA standards

Our Technicians and Sales Executives are highly trained in this equipment and regularly attend courses to stay up to date. They are knowledgeable about the most reliable equipment on the market and will match the best options to your needs. While you may find cheaper alternatives, installing inferior equipment not recommended by SAIDSA or our sales team could compromise the effectiveness of your system.

If you accidentally trigger your alarm system, you can deactivate it by simply entering your code, using your alarm remote, or through your phone app. You can also contact the control room to inform them.

The control room will have already received the alarm signal and may have despatched an Armed Response Officer while attempting to contact you. They will ask you to confirm that you are safe and verify your identity by asking for your password. If the password is incorrect, it will be treated as a "distress signal," and armed response will be despatched if not already done.

If you are on CID Radio (Contact ID) then there is a delay of approximately 1-5 seconds. 

The response team will be despatched as soon as we received the alarm signal. Control room will then try to contact you. If you cannot be reached, then we will try to contact the key holders that you have nominated within your account.

NB: It is important to ensure that all relevant contact details, including your emails, are updated in writing regularly.

Ensure that the transformer is properly plugged in and switched on. If everything is connected correctly and the issue persists, please contact Crime Watch SA for assistance.

Yes, your system has its own backup battery, which can keep the alarm running for several hours – provided the battery has been properly maintained. If the battery fails, the system may not function correctly, and the control room will not receive any signals.

The keypad will typically display a low battery warning, or the Crime Watch SA system will automatically send you an email alert on a weekly basis. Please ensure that Crime Watch SA has your correct email address on file. We recommend replacing your battery approximately every two years, although this may vary depending on usage. Battery life can also be significantly reduced during periods of load shedding. For optimal performance, we strongly recommend using an 8Ah gel battery. 

Wireless devices that use lithium batteries typically last up to a year. However, in South Africa, there is currently no law requiring suppliers to disclose how long these batteries have been on the shelf. 

A low battery signal means that the backup battery powering your alarm panel is either running low or has failed and needs to be replaced. This is often caused by the transformer being unplugged. Once the battery is completely depleted, we receive a 'fail to test' signal – indicating that your alarm system is no longer communicating with our control room, leaving you at risk.

We strongly advise against attempting this yourself, as incorrect handling may lead to:

• Damage to the alarm system
• A potential fire hazard
• Risk of the battery exploding if not connected properly

Instead, please contact our technical department for assistance.

We strongly recommend testing your alarm system weekly and especially before going away on a trip. Be sure to allow enough time for Crime Watch SA to resolve any issues that may arise.

The simplest way of doing this is as follows:

Crime Watch Phone App

1. Open your Crime Watch Security application.
2. Swipe to the right on the main menu. Click the “Test Alarm” icon.
3. When the page opens scroll to select your time span and click the play button.
4. Enter your password and submit.
5. You will get a notification saying, “alarm start”.
6. Arm your alarm system as if you were leaving the property—but remain inside.
7. Once the system is armed, walk around the property and trigger each of the following:

• All magnetic contacts
• All passive infrared (PIR) sensors
• Fixed panic buttons
• Remote panic buttons

1. Go outside and trigger all external beams.
2. After activating all zones, check your keypad to confirm that each zone has been triggered and displayed correctly.
3. Disarm the alarm system.
4. Click the stop button in your cell phone app.
5. You will receive a notification saying, “testing stopped”.
6. Check your alarm messages to receive the confirmation of your activated zones.

Control Room

1. Call the control room and inform them that you are putting your system on test.

Important: If you don’t notify them, any alarm activity will be treated as a real break-in, and an Armed Response Officer may be despatched unnecessarily.

1. The control room will send all signals to your designated cell phone, allowing you to easily see which zones are being triggered. Please ensure that we have your correct cell phone number on record.
2. Arm your alarm system as if you were leaving the property—but remain inside.
3. Once the system is armed, walk around the property and trigger each of the following:
   • All magnetic contacts
   • All passive infrared (PIR) sensors
   • Fixed panic buttons
   • Remote panic buttons
4. Go outside and trigger all external beams.
5. After activating all zones, check your keypad to confirm that each zone has been triggered and displayed correctly.
6. Disarm the alarm system.
7. If any zone you activated does not appear on the keypad or hasn’t been received on your phone, contact Crime Watch SA for technical assistance.

As your security provider, we want to highlight the importance of having your alarm panel serviced regularly. The industry standard recommends that your alarm system be serviced at least once a year, whether by Crime Watch SA or another qualified service provider. Your safety—and the protection of your property—is our top priority.

Signs Your System May Require a Service:

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s a clear indication that your alarm system needs attention:

• You’ve had to bypass a zone
• The system is sending false alarms
• The alarm is sending “Fail to Test” signals
• LED lights on the panel are flickering or no longer visible
• The alarm isn’t sending any signals
• You’re receiving low battery or sensor issue alerts
• Broken or damaged cables (e.g., from rodents)

What a Proper Service Should Include:

• A full system check, including arming of all zones
• Confirmation that all detection equipment (alarm panel, beams, PIRs, magnetic contacts) is working correctly
• Battery voltage test (including cables and connections)
• Transformer voltage test (including cables and connections)
• A signal test to and from Crime Watch SA
• Ensuring there are no gaps in your security coverage
• Verification that the correct products have been installed and are protecting the intended areas
• Refresher training on how to use your alarm system
• Recommendations for any upgrades or improvements, if needed

Important Note:

If you choose to use a technician not affiliated with Crime Watch SA, please ensure:

• The technician is qualified
• You receive a certificate confirming the work done and verification that all zones have been tested
• In most cases, the alarm’s history log can be downloaded to confirm this

Please be aware: External technicians cannot confirm their work with the control room. As a result, using a third-party technician will void any existing warranties and release Crime Watch SA of all responsibility regarding your system’s performance.

Please refer to the technical section for a PDF version of your alarm panel, which can assist you. If you need further help, don't hesitate to contact Crime Watch SA.

If your keypad displays a warning, it means there’s an issue with one or more security devices, and the system cannot be armed until it’s resolved. The most common cause is an open door or window with a magnetic contact—please check these first.
Note: An open window in a room with a passive infrared sensor can cause false detections due to cold drafts.

Refer to the technical section for a PDF of your alarm panel, or contact Crime Watch SA for further assistance.

We offer three SMS notification options:

1. Openings & Closings
2. Openings, Closings & All Alarm Signals
3. Emergency Signals Only 

For each option, an automated SMS will be sent to the primary cell phone number—and a second number if required – for Openings & Closings; Openings, Closings, and Alarm signals; and Emergency Signals Only. Additional numbers can also be added at an extra charge.

Supervised Openings & Closings (Telephonic Monitoring)

With this service, the control room monitors the specific times you’ve set for your alarm system to be armed (closed) or disarmed (opened). If your system is activated or deactivated outside of the designated times, the control room will take the following steps:

• Call the premises and/or the primary cell phone contact

If there is no response, armed response will be dispatched

Sometimes, a break-in may occur when a criminal cuts or turns off the power to a property. In the control room, this appears as an “AC fail”—until another detector is triggered.

In residential properties, AC fails are often caused by forgotten electricity meter top-ups. However, since the control room cannot confirm the cause, an Armed Response Officer is despatched immediately, followed by an attempt to contact the client.

In commercial properties, AC fails are less likely to be meter-related and are typically a stronger indication of suspicious activity.

During load shedding, the control room may receive hundreds of signals simultaneously. As a result, they are unable to contact every client individually, and any AC fail signals will be logged as related to load shedding in the area.

However, the control room will continue monitoring your system. If any additional signals are received from your property after the AC fail—such as a break-in or panic signal—an Armed Response Officer will be despatched immediately, and the control room will attempt to contact you.

Learn more about how load shedding affects your battery and alarm system.

Yes, there are several options available, and our technical team will be happy to discuss them with you.

Yes, we do this regularly for both commercial and residential clients, using our own team of experienced technicians.

There are many CCTV systems on the market, each offering different features and capabilities. It's important to first determine your specific needs – especially if night vision or detailed viewing is required.

At the time of writing, Hikvision accounts for a large percentage of CCTV systems worldwide, and we therefore recommend their cameras for reliable performance.

Please contact our sales department – we’ll be happy to meet with you, discuss your requirements, and guide you through the best CCTV options for your needs.

Yes, all of this is possible with the installation of an app and an internet connection. Our sales department will discuss the details with you.

Yes, CCTV definitely acts as a deterrent. We’ve seen this time and again, and it has contributed greatly to our success in lowering crime rates across our main suburbs. CCTV is an effective deterrent, especially when criminals know it is being actively monitored. While many criminals try to hide their faces to avoid detection, CCTV still plays a critical role in linking them to the crime. In monitored systems, any suspicious movement triggers alerts to the control room, allowing Armed Reaction Officers to be despatched swiftly to intervene if necessary. 

Crime Watch SA has launched a community camera project in Milnerton Central to help make the community safer - Milnerton Central Camera Project FAQ