NCJ Number
11056
Date Published
Unknown
Length
20 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF THE WAYS POLICE ARE COPING WITH THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF FALSE ALARMS TRIGGERED BY RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS.
Abstract
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT OUT TO SEVERAL CITIES TO FIND OUT IF FINES WERE IMPOSED FOR FALSE ALARMS AND IF SO, HOW MUCH THEY WERE. ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA IS THE ONLY CITY THAT HAS SUCH AN ORDINANCE, BUT SIMILAR ORDINANCES ARE BEING PROPOSED IN OTHER CITIES. THE QUESTIONNAIRE ASKED WHO DETERMINES WHAT CONSTITUTES CHARGEABLE NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE ALARM USER, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE FEW WHO RESPONDED STATED THAT COMMITTEE MEETINGS DETERMINE THIS. IN MOST CASES THE ALARM USER, RATHER THAN THE INSTALLER, IS CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENCE. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON HAS PROPOSED AN ORDINANCE WHICH IMPOSES A 25 DOLLAR FINE AFTER THE THIRD FALSE ALARM WITHIN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. AN APPENDIX INCLUDES THE MAIN BODY OF A REPORT ON FALSE ALARMS MADE BY THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.