False Alarm FAQs

The following are three documents concerning Centerville City Ordinance #2008-10.

This ordinance addresses erroneous security system (false) alarms and was approved by the Centerville City Council on December 2, 2008. Copies of these documents can also be found on the Centerville city web site (click here).

 

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning this ordinance.

Q:
 What is the purpose of this ordinance?
A:
 This ordinance was not implemented to be a punitive device, per se. The ordinance's intent is to encourage residents and businesses to work with their alarm installers and maintainers to insure their systems are working properly, thereby reducing the number of erroneous alarms and wasted City resources.
 
Q:

When does the ordinance take effect?
A:
 The ordinance was approved during the City Council meeting on December 2, 2008, and was put into effect on January 1, 2009.
 
Q:
Why was it passed?
A:
As expressed in Chief Cooper's letter (see above), the Centerville Police Department (CPD) responds to a tremendous number of security alarms each year, and unfortunately, the majority of these calls are "false" alarms. These false alarms result in costly and inappropriate expenses to the City. A further consequence is that CPD officers may not be able to respond in a timely manner to a legitimate request for assistance because the officers were busy answering a false alarm call.
 
Q:
 Isn't this just taxation by another name?
A:
 No. The fees associated with the alarm permit applications will be used to offset the expenses for administering the alarm system program (i.e., maintaining the alarm system data base, obtaining and issuing alarm decals, and recording false alarm data). Any fines assessed by the Centerville Municipal Court for excessive false alarms will go into the Court's account (similar to a traffic citation).
 
Q:
 Who must comply with the ordinance?
A:
 Centerville residents and businesses with existing alarm systems must obtain an alarm permit within sixty days of the ordinance's effective date (January 1, 2009). Centerville residents and businesses installing an alarm system after January 1, 2009, must obtain an alarm permit BEFORE the alarm system can be put into operation.
 
Q:
What do I have to do to comply with the ordinance?
A:
Centerville residents and businesses must complete and submit an application for an alarm permit to the Centerville City Clerk's Office. Upon obtaining the decal, place it in a conspicuous (visible) location at your residence or business. A responding CPD officer must be able to locate your decal, or it will not be doing you any good.
 
Q:
 How much will it cost to obtain an alarm permit? How much will it cost to renew the alarm permit each year?
A:
The annual fee is $25, regardless of when the application is submitted. The permit period is one calendar year (January 1st through December 31st). The permit must be renewed each year. The renewal fee is $25 per year.
 
Q:
What if the information on the application form changes after the permit has been issued?
A:
An amended permit must be submitted within ten (10) days after the change of the information. The fee for submitting the amendment is $5.
 
Q:
 What do residents and businesses get for their $25 fee and the time spent completing and submitting the alarm application? Are there any benefits for the alarm user?
A:
 The $25 application fee will be used to offset the City's expenses for administering the program. With your decal (permit) posted in a conspicuous (visible) place at your home or business, CPD officers will be able to quickly identify the alarm's point of contact and notify that person of a potential problem at your location. For example, suppose you are out of town on vacation, and someone tries to break into your home but is unsuccessful due to your active alarm system. Responding CPD officers would be able to contact you (or a person listed on your alarm application) about the unsuccessful break-in at your home.
 
Q:
 How many false alarms are too many?
A:
 One false alarm is too many because CPD officers wasted City resources responding to the call at your residence or business. That said, punitive action will not be considered until the fourth (4th) false alarm occurs within a calendar year. At that point, the false alarms are considered excessive and may result in an assessment (fine) of $25. The assessment (fine) for additional excessive false alarms may result in a fine of $1,000 and a summons to Centerville Municipal Court.

 

Want more information on False Alarms and what can be done?
Click here to view an informative pamphlet.

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