False Alarm Fees

The Real Costs of False Alarms

False alarms cost all of us both time and money, and account for a staggering number of wasted police response hours every year. Our department responds to over 3,000 false alarms a year, at a cost of over $100,000 in taxpayer dollars. False alarms unduly divert law enforcement from responding to criminal activity and other useful duties. As a system owner, you have some responsibilities – maintaining a secure premise as well as a properly functioning alarm system.

How to Reduce False Alarms

1. Be sure to have a good quality alarm system that has been installed by a licensed alarm company.
2. Continually train all of your employees on the alarm system to ensure they will be familiar with the code and how the system works.
3. Have your alarm system tested on a regular basis.
4. Have your alarm company provide you with a cancellation code and make sure all authorized users know it.

Sec. 3-9.08. Administrative Fines. (a) An alarm user and/or permit holder shall be subject to warnings, fines and suspensions or revocation of permit depending on the number of false alarm dispatches emitted from an alarm system within a 12-month period based upon the following schedule.

**Permit fee and false alarm fines as of July 1st, 2010
False Alarm Ordinance WCMC 3-9.00 et.seq.

Appealing a False Alarm Response Charge

*Submit a written request/statement as to why you feel the charge and/or occurrence should be waived or removed from your account, along with any supporting documentation (police reports, alarm company documentation, etc)

*Submit via email or by using the Contact Us page.

*Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question. 

*Submit within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge.