(SACRAMENTO, CA.) — The Sacramento Police Department is enhancing its public safety toolkit by equipping newly built patrol vehicles with a Hi‑Lo warning sound—an audible alert dedicated exclusively to notifying residents of large‑scale evacuations during major emergencies.
(Image of Public Information Officer Allison Smith explaining the Hi‑Lo warning sound in YouTube short. Credit: Sacramento Police Department.)
“The Hi‑Lo siren is a distinct sound, not a standard emergency siren you might hear when officers are responding to calls,” said Public Information Officer Allison Smith, in a YouTube short. “It's a dedicated emergency evacuation signal.”
The Hi‑Lo warning sound features a unique two‑tone pattern purposely different from traditional police sirens. Smith emphasized that this alert will be used only during the most serious, time‑sensitive incidents. “The Hi‑Lo tone will only be used during major emergencies where large‑scale evacuations are necessary, including flash floods, levee or dam breaks, wildfires, or any other widespread public safety threat,” Smith explained. “This siren is reserved strictly for critical, life‑saving situations.”
While Sacramento residents can currently receive emergency messages through text alerts, radio broadcasts, online platforms, and other communication tools, not all systems are guaranteed during disasters. “While emergency alerts are often sent through cell phones, the radio, and the internet, those technologies can fail during disasters,” Smith noted. “Power outages, damaged cell towers, or even heavy smoke can delay—or prevent—critical alerts from reaching those who need them the most.”
(The Hi‑Lo tone will only be used during major emergencies where large‑scale evacuations are necessary. Image credit: Sacramento Police Department.)
Officials stress that the Hi‑Lo warning sound does not replace existing emergency notification systems. Instead, it adds an important backup method to ensure evacuation alerts can reach the public even if modern communication networks falter. “The Hi‑Lo siren is an additional tool to ensure our community receives clear and immediate warnings when seconds matter most,” Smith said.
The Sacramento Police Department encourages all residents to familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and to treat the Hi‑Lo sound as a cue for immediate action. “Remember, when you hear the Hi‑Lo, it’s time to go,” Smith urged. “Do not wait. Evacuate immediately and follow instructions from emergency personnel.”
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office also uses the Hi‑Lo warning sound, according to a YouTube post.
Under California Vehicle Code §27002, authorized emergency vehicles—including those of law enforcement—may be equipped with a Hi‑Lo audible warning. The statute clarifies that its sole purpose is to notify the public of an immediate evacuation, not as a standard siren.
Community members can hear the Hi‑Lo tone by visiting the Sacramento Police Department’s YouTube page or by following the link.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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