A regional security system includes a control panel that can receive one or more delay parameters associated with a type of sensor or detector or a portion of a region being monitored. The delay parameters can be stored in a programmable storage unit. When an alarm indicator has been received from one of the sensors or detectors, an alarm indicating message and an associated programmed and pre-stored delay can be forwarded to a central station. If the system is disarmed before the delay interval has terminated, then a cancel message can be sent to the central station.