Police: PLEASE RESPOND to Burglar Alarms
Below is a sample letter that was written from a police department in Wisconsin to its citizens. It is a successful example of how police can reduce dispatches if they actively work with their community.
Hello,
You are receiving this email because you are listed as the holder of a City of
Appleton Alarm Business Permit or are one of the alarm business representatives
who was part of the group that helped to develop our False Alarm Reduction
strategy.
So far from January 1 to April 30, 2007 we have seen an 18% reduction in the
number of false alarms our officers are dispatched to, compared to the same time
period in 2006. While I am pleased that there has been a reduction, we have a
long ways to go to reach our goal of a 40% reduction by the end of the year.
First, let me say thanks to those of you who have made changes in your business
practices to reduce the number of requests for dispatches by the police to
alarms. I know that there are several businesses who have taken this seriously
and follow-up on each and every false alarm to prevent a repetition of the
problem.
However, I also know that there are more than a few alarm businesses that are
not doing nearly enough to be proactive to prevent false alarms. In particular,
the use of Enhanced Call Verification or Verified Response is not just a hint,
guideline, or suggestion. It is a REQUIREMENT, under our city ordinance for all
burglar alarms. One alarm business has already received a written warning for
violating the ordinance.
Our dispatch center may soon be modifying their procedures. When your Central
Alarm Monitoring Station calls dispatch with a request for a police response to
a burglar alarm they will be told that our ordinance requires Enhanced Call
Verification and then asked if they have made at least two calls to reach a
person responsible for the alarmed premise. If at least two calls have not been
made, they will be told to make the calls and then call back to dispatch if the
police are still needed. If you have all of your accounts, that are in the City
of Appleton, flagged at the Central Monitoring Station that Enhanced Call
Verification procedures are required, this will present no changes for you.
Let me give you a true example of why we take this seriously and you should too,
on behalf of your clients. There is a financial institution in Appleton that
has already had eleven false burglar alarms this year. The financial
institution and their alarm business have received multiple letters, updates,
and phone calls to inform them of the problem and to seek their participation in
a solution. At alarm number twelve the police may provide notification that we
no longer will be responding. Even if we do continue to respond, the fee for
each false alarm is $600! If an alarmed location averages three false alarms in
a month, the fees paid for one year will total $15,975! The Appleton Police
Department isn't interested in the money, we are interested in stopping false
alarms.
I would much rather work with each of you in a cooperative manner and work
together to reduce the false alarms our officers are dispatched to than correct
problems with enforcement action. I am very willing to host another meeting
where you or your local representatives can get together and perhaps help each
other out with successful strategies you have tried to reduce false alarms. If
there are still questions about what is required under our ordinance, this would
be a good opportunity to review that information to make sure we are all on the
same page.
I'd like to hear from you about whether you would be interested in attending a
meeting. Also, if you have questions about the ordinance or would like to
discuss a particular client you have, please feel free to call. There are two
of us at the Appleton Police Department who work very closely with the alarm
ordinance and can answer your questions. I've included our contact information
below. I look forward to working with you as partners in reducing false alarms.
Thank you.
Captain Julie Bahr
Appleton Police Department
222 S. Walnut Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-832-5576
julie.bahr@appleton.org
Lieutenant Erik Misselt
Appleton Police Department
222 S. Walnut Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-832-6011
erik.misselt@appleton.org