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Police:  PLEASE RESPOND to Burglar Alarms


Media Reports Showing Alternatives to "Verified Response" as More Successful:

SecurityInfoWatch.com
Delaware Fifth to Pass Comprehensive State Alarm Policy
DOVER, Delaware (August 10, 2007) –  Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed into effect a state-wide policy on alarm fines and education.  The law requires alarms be registered, that alarm companies certify that alarm users are properly trained on their systems, and that graduated fine amounts are levied for false alarms.
 

The Seattle Times
Crackdown on False Alarms Pays Off for Kirkland
PUGET SOUND, Washington (July 19, 2007) – Police in Puget Sound and surrounding cities say they’ve found success on decreasing false alarms through fines and registration fees.  On the first anniversary of the policy, false alarms are down by 47 percent.  Alarm companies are also working with their customers to help them cut down on false alarms and the resultant fees.

The Montclair Times
Police Chief:  False Alarm Fines Paying Off
MONTCLAIR, New Jersey (June 20, 2007) – False alarm fines are paying off for police in Montclair, N.J.  Officers saw an 18 percent decrease in false alarms after initiating a reimbursement policy, while alarm owners are being reassured that police will respond to alarms and learning how to keep their systems working properly.

The News-Press
False Alarm Incidents Down in City
CAPE CORAL, Florida (May 29, 2007) – Police in Cape Coral are making better use of their time through a registration system for burglar alarm owners.  False alarm incidents fell 54 percent after the program went into effect.  Alarm owners register with the department and are liable for fines when their alarms go off unnecessarily.  The city has also saved $130, 000 thanks to the policy.


DallasNews.com
Communities' Alarm Responses Touted

UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas (April 30, 2007) – The Dallas Morning News’ web site reveals the peace of mind alarm owners in the suburbs have with direct response, as opposed to the controversial verified response program being used in the city of Dallas.  Police officers in the so-called “park cities” area of Dallas explain why they believe direct response to burglar alarms is an integral part of their job.

The Denver Post
Battling False Alarms
DENVER, Colorado (March 28, 2007) – Columnist and former Colorado Councilwoman/Mayor gives a status report of alarm use and response in the United States.  The article explains that the country is turning to Enhanced Call Verification, alarm registration and fines instead of verified response to reduce dispatches.  The author explains that Boulder, CO, has reduced its dispatch rate by 50 percent and Olympia, WA, has seen a 90 percent drop because of such measures.

KREM-TV
False Alarms Cut in Half Since Fines Imposed
SPOKANE, Washington (February 7, 2007) – A false alarm reimbursement program proves successful – both financially and logistically.  Since imposing fines, the number of false alarms dropped by nearly two-thirds.  The program has also eased an $800,000 a year problem for police.

The MetroWest Daily News
False Alarms Can Be True Burden
FRAMINGHAM, Massachusetts (February 18, 2007) – Police seek to educate alarm owners on their false alarm bylaw, which levies fines for false alarms and helps residents and business owners understand their alarm systems better.  Since the police began enforcing the bylaw, false alarms were reduced by 50 percent in some areas.

The Star Tribune
Three Cities Say Fines Reduce False Alarms
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minnesota (January 11, 2007) – A system outlining fees and fines for false alarms proves successful in three areas outside of the Twin Cities.  One city reports that dispatches are down 25 percent.  City administrators explain why they are encouraging alarm use, regardless of which policy is used.  As a result, Minneapolis and St. Paul are led to implement similar programs. 

Arkansas Democrat Gazette 
False Alarms Drop Under LR Code
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (August 28, 2006) – “A new ordinance is drastically reducing the number of false burglar-alarm calls police in Little Rock have to handle…”  Police attribute the 66 percent drop to the ordinance which includes registration for alarm systems, ECV and an increase in fines for abusers.

Boca Raton News
Boca False Alarms Decline Dramatically
BOCA RATON, Florida (February 15, 2007) – “The number of false dispatch calls originating from Boca Raton has dramatically declined following a new statewide law governing burglar alarm response.  The law, implemented last July, calls for Florida dispatchers to use Enhanced Call Verification (ECV), the practice of calling two phone numbers before dispatching police to an alarm.”
“…Eighty percent of our dispatch reduction is attributed to ECV.”

WEAU-TV, NBC-13
Measure to Reduce False Alarm Calls Successful in Eau Claire
EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin (August 4, 2006) – Enhanced Call Verification finds success in Eau Claire.  False alarms were on track to drop 40 percent after police implemented the program there.  This online version of a television news report explains how police and alarm companies work together to reduce false alarm responses.

The Desert Sun
Lack of Peace Officers Has Cities Trying New Solutions
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, California (May 8, 2006) – A police officer shortage in the Coachella Valley area has departments trying new tactics for conserving manpower.  But rather than avoid responding to burglar alarms, Palm Springs police partnered with alarm companies to educate alarm owners more about their systems.

KSLA-TV, CBS-12
False Alarm Calls Falling for City
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (May 1, 2006) – A system of fines and penalties for false alarms unburdens Shreveport Police while still offering proper police response for alarm owners.  The program has led to a 14 percent drop in the number of false alarms.

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