False alarm means an alarm system activated in the absence of an emergency whether willfully, by system design or by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act, including any mechanical or electrical malfunction of the alarm system, to which the department of police or fire is alerted for a response.
An alarm permit does provide you with two no-fine false alarms in a rolling twelve month period. Three or more false alarms within a rolling 12-month period will result in the following fines:
From 3 to 8 false alarms = $100 per false alarm
For false alarms 9 & 10 = $200 per false alarm
More than 10 false alarms = $300 per false alarm
Unpermitted false alarm fees = $300.00, the first 2 false alarms may be waived if permit fees are paid within 30 days.
Here is an example of how the rolling 12-month cycle works:
Let’s say you registered your alarm system in January 2018 and in that month you had one false alarm. Then in February of 2018, you had one false alarm. That’s two false alarms in two months. One more and you are subject to a fine. Your next false alarm doesn’t occur until January 2019. Because the 12-month period is rolling, you still have two false alarms, not one. The false alarm that you had in January 2018 gets dropped because that happened 13 months ago and no longer applies to your 12-month periodAlarm users will receive a notification if the false alarm event is the third or higher within the 12 month period, the notification will list the balance due.
A false alarm shall not include: an alarm activated by testing or repairing of telephone or electrical lines or equipment outside the premises if prior notice of the testing or repair is given to the department of police or fire; unusually violent conditions of nature; an illegal entry, theft or robbery, or an attempt thereof; or an observable act of vandalism, where evidence of such activity exists. Also, a false alarm shall not include an alarm to the police department that is canceled by an alarm monitoring service, as identified on the alarm application, prior to arrival of the police.
PREVENTING FALSE ALARMS
An alarm owner can follow a few tips to prevent excessive false alarms and unnecessary emergency service dispatch. First, train all alarm users on how to properly engage and disengage the system. A number of false alarms are caused by users who are improperly trained. The alarm company should provide adequate training on how the system functions, make sure that all potential users understand the process. If you do have a false alarm, you have two to three minutes to disarm your system before emergency responders are notified. Also, maintain the system properly so as to avoid any system malfunctions. Not only will that prevent false alarms, but will also assure that your alarm system works in the event of a real emergency.
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 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.