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
- Be sure to have a good quality alarm system that has been installed by a licensed alarm company.
- Continually train all of your employees on the alarm system to ensure they will be familiar with the code and how the system works.
- Have your alarm system tested on a regular basis.
- 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.
# OF FALSE ALARM DISPATCHES PER CALENDAR YEAR | ACTIONS TAKEN | FINES | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Written Notice and warning | None | ||||
2 | Written Notice and warning | None | ||||
3 | Written Notice and Hearing Letter | $100** | ||||
4 | Written Notice and Hearing Letter | $110** | ||||
5 | Written Notice and warning | $150** | ||||
6 and more | Written Notice and Hearing Letter; possible suspension or revocation of alarm permit | $175** |
**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.