Panic & Hold-Up Alarm Systems for Illinois Businesses
When someone at your counter is being threatened, they can't pick up a phone. A panic or hold-up button lets them call for help silently, in a second, without the person in front of them knowing. We install, test, and monitor them 24/7.
Since 1982
40+ years protecting Illinois properties
UL listed
Alarm provider and central station
Bosch authorized
Security dealer
24/7 monitoring
Live operators, every night of the year
What a panic button actually has to do
A hold-up or panic alarm has one job. Get police on the way the moment an employee is in danger, without making that danger worse.
Silence is the whole point.
Most failures we see aren't equipment failures. They're placement failures. A button mounted where staff can't reach it without stepping away from the register. A pendant left in a drawer. A button so easy to bump that it goes off twice a month, so nobody trusts it. We plan every button around where your people actually stand and how they move during a shift.
Who we install panic and hold-up alarms for
- Banks and credit unions with teller lines, vaults, and drive-up windows
- Retail stores and gas stations handling cash late at night
- Cannabis dispensaries that must meet state security rules
- Medical and dental offices with front desks that face the public
- Schools, offices, and lobbies where reception staff work alone
Running a bank or dispensary? See our bank security and cannabis security pages for compliance details.
Panic and hold-up devices we install
Different jobs call for different triggers. Most sites use two or three of these together.
Fixed hold-up buttons
Mounted under counters and desks so staff can press with a hand or knee without changing posture.
Best for: registers, teller stations, front desks
Wireless panic pendants
Small wearable buttons on a lanyard, belt clip, or wristband. Help goes wherever your employee goes.
Best for: staff who move around the building
Money clip triggers
Sit in the cash drawer. Pulling the last bill sends a silent hold-up signal automatically.
Best for: banks, cash-heavy retail
Duress codes
A special keypad code that disarms the system normally while silently alerting our station.
Best for: anyone forced to open up or disarm
Dual-action buttons
Require two buttons or a press-and-hold, so a bumped knee or a dropped bag doesn't trigger police.
Best for: busy counters with tight space
Mobile app panic
Trigger an alarm from your phone through the system app when you're not near a fixed button.
Best for: managers, owners, after-hours staff
What happens during a robbery at 4:52 p.m.
Here's how a typical hold-up plays out at a store with an ASI hold-up alarm and central station monitoring.
A robber demands cash at the counter
Your clerk stays calm, keeps their hands visible, and follows their training.
Silent button pressed
A knee press on the under-counter button sends the signal. No siren, no lights, nothing the robber can notice.
Our operator gets a priority alert
Hold-up signals jump to the front of the queue with your address, the button location, and your account notes.
Police dispatched as a robbery in progress
Operators don't call your store first, since a ringing phone could put staff at risk. They go straight to police.
Owner notified, event logged
You get a call or text, and the event record with exact times is ready for police and insurance.
Fixed button, pendant, or app: which do you need?
Most businesses combine at least two. The right mix depends on how your staff move and where cash or risk sits.
| Type | Best for | Pros | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed button | Registers, teller lines, reception desks | Always in the same spot, no battery to forget | Only works if staff are at that station |
| Wireless pendant | Staff who walk the floor or work alone | Goes wherever the person goes | Has to be worn, batteries need checks |
| Mobile app | Owners, managers, after-hours visits | No extra hardware needed | Slower to use than a physical button |
False hold-ups are dangerous, not just annoying
Police treat a hold-up alarm as an armed robbery in progress. A false one means officers arriving ready for the worst, and staff who stop trusting the button. Here's how we keep yours reliable.
- Smart placement: buttons out of bump zones but still easy to reach
- Dual-action options: two-step triggers for crowded counters
- Staff training: who presses, when, and what to do after
- Test mode checks: we test with the station so police aren't sent
- Written protocols: you decide who we call and in what order
How setup works
We start with how your staff actually work, then put the buttons where they'll get used.
1
Risk walk
We walk your space during normal hours and note where staff stand, handle cash, and meet the public.
2
Placement plan
You get a written plan showing every button, pendant, and duress code, with a fixed price.
3
Install and test
Technicians install each device and test every one with our central station in test mode.
4
Staff training
We train your team on when to press, what happens next, and how to report a mistake.
Panic and hold-up alarm FAQs
What's the difference between a panic alarm and a hold-up alarm?
A hold-up alarm is for robberies and is always silent. A panic alarm covers other emergencies, like a threatening customer, and can be silent or audible depending on how you want it set up.
Will your operator call my business after a hold-up alarm?
No. For hold-up signals, operators dispatch police first and don't call the premises, because a ringing phone can tip off a robber. You're contacted after dispatch.
Can employees wear panic buttons?
Yes. Wireless pendants clip to a lanyard, belt, or wristband. They're a good fit for staff who move around or work alone in the building.
What if someone presses the button by accident?
Call our station right away with your passcode and we can cancel or update the dispatch. Dual-action buttons and smart placement keep accidents rare in the first place.
Can you add panic buttons to my existing alarm system?
Usually, yes. Most modern panels support hold-up and panic zones. We'll check your panel and tell you what it can handle before quoting.
How often should panic buttons be tested?
We recommend testing every button at least once a year, and after any remodel or staff turnover. We place your account in test mode first so police aren't sent.
