The Sacramento Police Department is enhancing public safety measures by equipping newly built police department patrol vehicles with a Hi-Lo warning sound as a tool for officers to notify the public of large-scale evacuations related to natural disasters or other widespread public safety hazards.

The Hi-Lo warning sound, adopted in accordance with other public safety agencies, is exclusively used for mass evacuations during major emergencies. The warning sound is intentionally distinct from a standard police siren used during routine emergency responses. The Hi-Lo warning sound will be used only when all individuals within hearing range are the intended recipients of the warning. It indicates the need for immediate evacuation during major emergencies, such as wildfires, dam failures, or levee breaches resulting in significant flooding. To avoid unnecessary panic, confusion, or unintended evacuations, the Hi-Lo warning sound will only be used in these types of emergency situations.

While Sacramento residents can currently receive emergency alerts through a variety of notification systems, many of these tools depend on cellular service, radio signals, internet connectivity, and electrical power. During disasters involving heavy smoke, power outages, or damage to communication infrastructure, these systems can become delayed or fail. The Hi-Lo warning sound is not a replacement for existing emergency communication channels. Instead, the warning sound provides an added layer of redundancy, ensuring residents receive critical evacuation notifications even if other tools or technology fail.

The Sacramento Police Department encourages our community to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and to treat the Hi-Lo warning sound as a signal to seek immediate evacuation information. Visit the Sacramento Police Department’s YouTube page or follow the link below to hear the warning sound in action.

NEW Hi-Lo Warning Sound! What it means for the Sacramento Police Department