Frequently Asked Questions
Your agreement with your alarm company is a private contract. The police are not obligated to respond to alarms, but we do so whenever possible.
Many other cities charge for responding to false alarms. Responding to false alarms is a police service that primarily benefits the alarm company. Alarm Associations nationwide advocate charging for false alarms to encourage false alarm reduction and to recover costs incurred by the police when responding to alarms.
Call (925) 718-1090. If you get our voicemail system, be sure and mention you have a question about an alarm bill. Provide the date, time, and location of the alarm, as well as a contact number.
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 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.
Like any unpaid bill from the City, it will go to collections. Alarm users can be placed on non-response status due to non-payment of fines, permit fees or excessive false alarms.
The premises who do not desire police response to alarms, do not obtain a permit or, do not pay fines associated with false alarm dispatches are placed on a non response status that refers to alarm activations only. All other types of calls for police response will continue.
Know how your system works and make sure it is working properly. Have your alarm company help you if you have problems. Make sure that pets, kids, ceiling fans, and other things don’t create a problem for you. You alarm company wants to help you prevent false alarms; call them.
The current ordinance authorizes us to do so. Responding to false alarms negatively impacts our ability to deal with real crime problems and provide proactive crime prevention. False alarms are preventable. Those who have alarm systems have made a choice to accept the responsibility to prevent false alarms.
False Alarm means an alarm dispatch request to the Police Department when the responding officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense. An alarm dispatch request that is canceled by the alarm business or the alarm user prior to the time the responding officer reaches the alarm site shall not be considered a false alarm dispatch.
The Municipal Codes are available online: Walnut Creek Alarm Ordinance, at the public library, or at City Hall. In addition, your alarm company is required to supply you with a copy of the new, revised ordinance.
Commercial or residential alarms that are operational alarms must be registered.
Alarm Permit Fees
Registration
- Residential - No Fee
- Business $75.00
Annual Renewal
- Residential - No Fee
- Business $75.00