Santa Fe Police: PLEASE RESPOND to Burglar Alarms
What's Happening in Santa Fe?
The Santa Fe City Council began researching a "verified response" burglar alarm policy on February 4, 2008. To date, no official announcement has been made regarding their decision.
"Verified response" means that police will not respond to burglar alarms unless someone first confirms that a crime has occurred. The policy was first used as an experiment in Las Vegas, NV in 1991. Since then, it has been introduced to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country. Most have found alternative, successful solutions. Only about 30 ever adopted the policy.
Still some law enforcement agencies consider "verified response" as an option for their community because they are struggling with resources and a high number of calls for service. In Santa Fe, police want alarm companies to be the "first responders" to potential emergencies. While alarm companies can and do provide this service, 70 percent of alarm owners typically chose to respond to their own activations in a "verified response" community. This leads to a dangerous situation.
According to the alarm industry, serious public safety decisions such as this should be made in a public forum with public input. Unfortunately, the Santa Fe City Council has never discussed the issue with the community.
In order to educate the Santa Fe City Council on alternative solutions to "verified response", the Security Industry Alarm Coalition is working with the New Mexico Burglar and Fire Alarm Association to set up meetings and open discussions with the city leaders. It is our hope that we will be able to demonstrate the advantages of the alternative solutions in order to ensure the uninterrupted safety of all citizens in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Proposed Alarm Ordinance supporting Verified Response
Santa Fe City Council Minutes discussing Verified Response - 2-4-08
False Alarms Costly - Albuquerque Journal - 2-21-08
New Mexico Burglar & Fire Alarm Association