False Alarm Information and
Links
|
|
 |
Central One via remote internet access provides a report that lists subscribers with excessive police dispatches. Log in to remote access and press F10 for the reports menu, then F7 for this very important report. You may select the number of dispatches (from one to six) that trigger the inclusion of a subscriber on this report. You may also specify how far back in time to include dispatches (up to one year). By periodically producing and following up on this report you may substantially reduce the number of false police dispatches generated by your subscriber base and avoid the inevitable problems that occur when your subscribers are fined for excessive false alarms.
Central One's daily trouble report will advise you if an account is dispatched more than twice in any ten day period. We also implement numerous procedures designed to reduce unnecessary police response to false alarms including storm procedures, acceptance of cancel signals, in the way we handle runaway communicators, redundant and already dispatched alarms. Our zone anding feature can eliminate false alarms caused by a single trip from a motion detector. You can help Central One by implementing cancel signals, avoiding confusing cancel codes, and by setting up a second telephone number for pre-dispatch alarm verification, such as a call to the subscriber's cell phone. You can help yourself by providing high quality installations and by training subscribers and alarm users in the proper use of their system.
Things You Can Do to Prevent False Alarms:
-
Use a second verify call telephone number, such as the subscriber's cell phone, to give the subscriber an additional opportunity to cancel the alarm before it is dispatched.
-
Allow the subscriber to use the arm/disarm code as the cancel code. The subscriber will not forget it and will be sure to pass it on to any other authorized users. When the greater security of a separate code word is required, enter a code word hint (ie "CW Hint: son's middle name") in the permanent instructions field of the subscriber's account.
-
Use zone anding to prevent a single trip from a motion detector from causing a police dispatch.
-
Print a dispatch report (F7 from the remote access main menu) every business day and follow up with the subscriber to prevent a repeat occurrence.
-
Los Angeles PD lists forty ways to eliminate false alarms.
AlREF puts expectations into model ordinance:
- Attempt to verify ALL burglar alarm signals by telephonic or other electronic means before requesting police dispatch, along with any other signals which can be prudently verified.
- Proactively call customers who have experienced alarm activations to investigate and prescribe corrective action as needed.
- Use only dual-action holdup devices and eliminate using "1 +" duress keypad coding and money clips.
- Implement procedures to prevent or cancel exit/entry false alarms. (Extend delay times, enable delays before dialing, enable panel cancel code, etc.)
- Educate alarm system owners and ALL users about their responsibilities relating to alarm system use and false alarms.
- Provide training for ALL company personnel on false alarm causes and solutions.
- Communicate and respond to local authorities about their particular problems and work with them toward a local false alarm reduction plan.
- Avoid installing silent alarm applications and direct connect applications.
- Participate in scheduled meetings & provide timely information as requested by police and/or the state coordinator.
- Participate in the industry program for funding the state coordinator.
Training Audio/Visual Presentations:
Arlington PD PowerPoint presentation on the false alarm problem. The case for non-response.
Video by the Phoenix, AZ Police Department on false alarms and prevention.
Alarm User Awareness Class (slide show hosted by the City of New Orleans)
Non-Sworn Alarm Responder Guidelines by the International Association of Chiefs of Police
NBFAA declares November False Alarm Prevention Month
Model States Report This document was prepared by the Private-Sector Liaison Committee (PSLC) of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
Coordinated Alarm Reduction Effort (CARE)
Central Station Alarm Association. Position Paper. False alarm analysis program.
The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington
The Case of Police Response to Burglar Alarms (an excellent study dated 9/5/2001)
Law Enforcement Positions and Links:
U.S. Department of Justice recommends a verified (non-response) policy.
For links to various false alarm ordinances by jurisdiction, please check under individual states.
Law Enforcement and Security Alliance
Perspectives of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Preventing False Alarms (by the Chicago Police Department)
Official website of the False Alarm Reduction Association. FARA is an association primarily of persons employed by government and law enforcement agencies in charge of, or working in, false alarm reduction units.
Position paper by the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Police Department.
False Alarm Prevention Checklist (by the Multnomah County, Oregon Sheriff)
Jurisdictions that No Longer Respond to Alarms:
List compiled by CSAA (includes jurisdictions with legislation pending)
Salt Lake City, Utah 12/1/2000
Las Vegas, Nevada 1991 (advice to consumers)
Milwaukee, WI September 19, 2004
Tucson, Arizona 9/4/2003 (Captain John Leavitt 520-791-4253)
Yuba County, California 10/19/2005
Jurisdictions Where Non-Response Was Defeated or Delayed:
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, Florida
Click our logo to return to home page. Click here to continue tour to Links by State page.