The Sonitrol Story

In the early 1960s, Robert Baxter of Anderson, Indiana invented sound-based technology to detect termites in walls. Al Cronk, a retired police officer and local alarm company owner, saw the potential this technology could have for:

• Reducing false alarms
• Detecting and catching burglars

Baxter and Cronk modified the equipment to work as a security system and, in 1964, Sonitrol (from combining "sound" and "control") became a reality.

Today, Sonitrol provides local service to cities across the US, and to several in Canada and the UK.

So how did Sonitrol become the leading security company in Central Kentucky? It started with a police officer on a mission.

Having worked as a Dallas police officer, Sonny Bates experienced first-hand the higher apprehension rates of Sonitrol alarms. So, in 1984, he bought Sonitrol of Lexington so he could catch more criminals and protect his neighbors.

Today, the company is run by Sonny's sons, Jeremy and Bryan, with 60+ other employees.

We are excited to announce that Sonitrol is now part of the Pye-Barker Fire & Safety family, a national leader in security and fire protection.

Your trusted Sonitrol of Lexington team remains committed to providing the same high-quality, personalized service you rely on—now enhanced by the strength and resources of Pye-Barker. Our dedication to protecting your business and community is stronger than ever. With this partnership, we will continue to offer industry-leading security solutions backed by enhanced support and expertise.

Learn more about Pye Barker Fire & Safety

• Ranked as one of the Top 100 security companies in the U.S for the past several years
• Lowest false alarm rates in the industry using audio detection and verification
• Apprehended more than 175,000 criminals and are stopping more every day