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MTG. 3/ 26/ 85
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CIT.._ JF CARLSBAD -AGEND, JILL
TITLE: ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND
REGULATIONS FOR SECURITY AND EMERGENCY ALARM
SYSTEMS AND ESTAtlLISH CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS OF THt ALARM SYSTEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DEPT. HD.~~~
CITYATTY.-c--
CITYMGR. __
liltroduc'"' 'Jrciinance No./J1f establishing standards and regulations for security
and emergency alarm systems and establishing criminal penalties for violation of
the ordinance.
ITEM EXPLANATION
In the past several years the dramatic increase in crime prevention interest has
resulted in a similar increase in the number of alarm systems utilized by business
and residential users. With this increase there has been a subsequent increase
in the number of false alarms to which the police must respond.
In th~ first six months of 1984, 896 alarm calls were received by the police
department. Of those calls 889 (99.3%) were false alarms. Informal attempts to
alleviate the false alarm rate have failed. Users blame alarm companies and the
companies blame the user; the end result is increased false alarms.
Many cities in the state and co~nty have enacted alarm ordinances similar to this
proposal and have been successful in reducing their false alarm rate.
Input has been received during meeting that were held with local business groups
(Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, ~illag: Merchant Association and individual business
owners) and local alarm companies. Ti.a general feeling of these groups is favorable
to this type of proposal.
This resolution would authorize the Chief of Police to discontinue responses to
alarm systems which have false alarms in excess of specified standards in the
ordinance. The nonresponse policy will be the primary method used to gain
compliance. The misdemeanor sanctions would only be used as a last resort •
FISCAL IMPACT
A $25 fee is required for every alarm permit. There is a six month period during
which existing systems must obtain a permit. Although there presently is no way
to determine the number of alarm systems currently in the city, 500 is a
reasonable estimate. (500 X $25 = $12,500)
An analysis of officer time spent during the first six months of 1984 in responding
to false alarms results in an approximate cost of $22,580. This figure should be
reduced sirnificantly with the enactment of the ordinance.
The Crime Prevention Offiter will be charged with ~dministering the ordinance. No
additional personnel is required.
EXHIBITS: ---
1. Ordinance No. Id 1f" •
2. Memorandum to Chief of Police from Crime Prevention Officer Matney •
3. 1984 alarm study by Officer Matney.
4. Excerpt from User Fee Analysis Study compiled by David M. Griffith Associates.
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.28
ORDINANCE NO. 1278
AN ORDINANCF OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE CARLSBAD
MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 8.50
REQUIRING REGISTRATION OF ALARM AGENTS, ISSUING ALARM
PERMITS, ESTABLISHING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR
SECURITY AND EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS NOT INCLUDING
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT OR DEVICES AND
ESTABLISHING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF
THE ALARM SYSTEMS ORDINANCE, AND BY THE AME~0 MENT OF
TITLE 1, CHAPTER 1.08 OF THE CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL CODE
REtATING TO·PENAtTIES·FOH·VIOtATION·OF·CHAPTER·8~50.
The City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California
does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1: That Title 8 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code
is amended by the addition of Chapter 8.50 to read as follows:
SECTIONS:
8.)0.iru'5°
8.50.010
8.50.020
8.50.030
8.50.035
8.50.04()
8.50.050
8.50.055
8.50.060
8.50.070
8.50.080
8.50.090
8.50.100
8.50.110
8.50.120
8.50.130
8. 5 0. 140
8.50.150
8.50.160
8.50.170
CHAPTER 8.50
ALARM SYSTEMS
Authority
Definitions
Registration of alarm agents
Alarm perm! ts
Owner or lessee responsibilities
Direct dial telephone devices
Suspension of alarm permits
Appeals to chief of police
Appeals to C lty Councll
Unauthorized alarm
Right to dis~ontinue response
Alarm system standards and regulations
Automatic shut off requirements
Delay device requirements
Power supply requirements
Alarm testing
Prohlbi t ions
Limitation on liability
Criminal penalties
Severabillty of provisions
8 ~ 50~ 005 Author! 1:->'. • This chapter is adopted pursuant
to Business and Professions Code Section 7592.8.
8;50;010· ·Deflnltions. For the purpose of this chapter,
the following words and phrases shall be construed as set forth
in this section unless it is apparent from the context that a
different meaning ls intended •
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( 1) "Alarm Agent II means any person employe-:i by an alarm
business whose duties include selling, altering, installing,
maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, monitoring,
responding to, or causing others to respond to an alarm system,
in or on any building, structure, or facility or the supervisor
or manager of a person employed by an alarm business to perform
any of those duties. This definition shall not apply to any
person employed by the City of Carlsbad Police Department or Fire
Department while the oerson is acting within the course and scope
of his employment,
(2) "Alarm Business" mean~ the business carried on by
an lndividuat, parlnership, corporation, or other entity of
leasing, selling, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering,
replacing, moving, monitoring, responding to or causing the
response to, or installing any alarm system or causing to be
leased, maintained; serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved
or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure,
or facill ty. Aiarm business does not include any business
excluded from Business and Professions Code Sect ion 7 590. 2.
( 3) "Alarm System" means any electrical or mechanical
device which ls designed or used for the detection of any
emergency condition, except fire, at a building, structure, or
far,11 tty, when such det~ction causes a local audible signal or
transmission of a signal or message, or which ls used to evoke a
police or medical emergency response. Fire alarm systems are
specifically excluded from this definition. Devices which are
not used or designed to be audible, visible, or perceptible
outside of the protected building, structure, or facility, and
auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect a
telephone system from damage or disruption are not included in
this definition.
( 4) "Audible Alarm" means the sound generated by a
device for the detection of an emergency condition at a building,
structure, or facility.
( 5) "City" means the City of Carlsbad.
(6) "Oay" means one calendar day~
(7) "Emergency Condition" means any condition which may
exist requiring immediate police or fire department response to
safeguard lives and/or property.
(8) "False Alarm" means the activation of an alarm
system through mechanical failure or malfunction, or accidental
tripping, misoperation or misuse by the lessee or owner of the
alarm system or his employee or agent, including mechanical
failure or malfunction caused by negligent maintenance of the
system. False alarm shall not include alarms caused by
malfunction of telephone line circuits or external causes beyond
the control of the owner or lessee of the system.
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(9) "Fire Alarm System" means any system, equipment, or
device designed or used to warn occupants or notify other persons
of a fire condition in or on any building, structure, or
facility. Fire alarms are exempt from this chapter.
( 10) "Lessee" means an; person who leases an alarm
system or subscriber service for the purpose of detecting an
emergency condition at any building, structure or facility.
(11} "Person" means any person, firm, corporation,
association, partnership, individual, organization or company.
( 12) "Silent Alarm" means any alarm system activation
that cannot be detected at the building, structure, or facility
of activation.
(13) "Smoke Detector" means a device which senses
visible or invisible particles of combustion and is designed to
.emit upon activation an audible sound sufficient only to provide
warning to the occupants of the building, structure or facility
in which such device is situated. This chapter shall not apply
to smoke detectors.
(,~} For the purpose of this chapter, whenever the
singular or masculine is used, the term shall be deemed to
include the plural, feminine, or body corporate as necessary.
8;50;0 0 ·Re istratlon·of·alarm·a ents. No person
shall be emp oye or operate as an a arm agent or an alarm
business without first registering his name and a copy of his
state issued identification card with the Chief of Police.
Every alarm agent while so engaged shall carry on his person the
state issued identification card and shall display such card to
any police officer upon demand.
_li;50~0,30· ·Alarm·permits. No person shall install,
maintain,7"ease, service, repair, alter, replace, move, use any
security or emergency alarm system without first obtaining a
City Alarm Permit. A twenty five dollar fee and an applicatio~
approved by the Chief of Police shall be required for such
permit. The alarm permit application shall include the alarm
location, type of alarm system (silent or audible activation),
type of response requested (robbery, burglary, or medical
~mergency), name of business (if applicable), name, home
address, phone number of alarm user, subscriber or owner,
telephone number at alarm locatlon, and additional names,
addresses, and phone numbers of responsible persons for
emergency notification. The alarm permit shall be required for
each building, structure, or facility that uses an alarm system
that could evoke an emergency response. Alarm permits are
issued indeflnately to the alarm user, subscriber, or owner
provided the requirements of this chapter are not violated. A
new permit shall be required upon sale or transfer of alarm
location. Alarm permits shall be required for existing systems
within six months from the date of adoption of this ordinance.
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8.50.035 Owner or lessee responsibilities. The owner
or lessee of an alarm system or systems shall provide the Chief
of Police with his current malling address and the names,
addresses and phone numbers of two persons to contact in the
event of an emergency. In the event his own malling address or
the names, addresses and phone numbers of such persons change,
the owner or lessee shall supply the changes to the Chief of
Police within two days of the change. The person or persons
listed shall be required to be present at the alarm location
within twenty minutes after being advised that the Carlsbad
Police Department has received any signal or message of alarm
activation indicating an emergency condition. Violation of this
section is grounds for revocation of an alarm permit.
8~50;040 Dlrect·dlal telephone devices. Ho person
shall lease, ma!ntaln, servlce, repa!r, alter, move, install, or
use any alarm system which dlrectly dials any telephone number
of the Carlsbad Police Department or the Carlsbad Fire
Department.
8; 50;,050 1 Suspension· of· alarm· eerml ts. If, at any
time, it sfiali come to the attention of the Chief of Police that
the owner or lessee of an alarm system has violated any
provision of this chapter, rules or regulations made pursuant to
this chapter, including but not llmi ted to, false alarms which
exceed the numbers permitted pursuant to Section 8.50.080 of
this chapter, the Chief of Police may serve such owner or lessee
with a written order of permit suspension, which shall state the
reason or reasons for such suspension. The said order shall be
effective immediately if personally served or 72 hours after the
order has been deposited by certified mall in any branch of the
United States Post Office, addressed to the owner or lessee of
such alarm system. The order shall contain notice of the app-eal
procedure established by this chapter. Immediately upon an
order becoming effective, the owner or lessee shall discontinue
using the alarm system. The alarm system or systems shall not
thereafter be used until all necessary repairs have been made
and verified by the Chief of Police, or the owner or lessee
satisfies the Chief of Police that such system or systems shall
be properly used in the future and the Chief of Police has
authorized in writing use of the system or systems.
8;50;055 Appeals·to·the Chlef·of·Police. Any action
taken pursuant to this chapter may be appealed ·1:0' the Chief of
Police in writing within ten days of notice of the action. The
appeal shall be addressed to the Chief of Police and shall set
forth the facts and circumstances regarding the action. The
Chief of Police shall notify the appellant in writing of the
time and place set for hearing the appeal. The Chief of Police
or his designate shall consider all relevant evidence and shall
determine the merits of the appeal. The action appealed shall
be stayed during the pendancy of the appeal.
8;50~060· Appeals·to·Clty·Council.
has been appea'ie'd to tfie Chief of Poilce may
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Any act ion which
be appealed to the
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City Council by filing a written appeal with the City Clerk
within ten days of the Police Chief's action. The City Clerk
shall notify the appellant in writing of the time and place set
for hearing of the appeal. The City Council, at its next regular
meeting, held not less than ten days from the date on which such
appeal has been filed with the City Clerk, shal 1 hear the
appellant and the Chief of Police shall consider all relevant
evidence and shall determine the merits of the appeal. The City
Councll may affirm, overrule or modify the decision of the Chief
of Police and the decision of the City Council shall be final.
8.50.070 Unauthorized alarm. When an audible alarm
message or signal is received by the Carlsbad Police or Fire
Department that fails to comply with any of the requirements of
this ordinance, the Chief of Police is authorized to demand that
the owner, lessee, or his representative of the alarm system
initiating such audible alarm, message or signal disconnect the
alarm system until it is made to comply with the requirements of
this ordinance.
8.50.080 Right to discontinue responsJ:_. The Chief of
Police reserves the right to discontinue response by police
officers to any location of a silent or audible alarm when an
alarm permit has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.50.050 of
this chapter or when an alarm system has:
(1) Two false alarms in any 30 day period; or
(2) Four false alarms in any 90 day period; or
(3) Six false alarms in any 180 day period; or
(4) Eight false alarms in any 360 day period.
Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of correction of
a faulty system, or installation of a new system, the Chief of
Police shall initiate a new 360 day period for purposes of
counting false alarms.
8.50.090 Alarm systems standards and regulations. The
City reserves the right to inspect all alarm systems installed
within the City to assure compliance with this ordinance.
8.50.100 Automatic shut-off requirements. All alarm
systems, excluding fire alarms, shall include a device which
will limit the generation of audible sound to not longer than
fifteen minutes after activation.
8.50.110 Delay device requirements. All bur9lary
detection alarm systems, excluding such alarm systems which
generate an audible alarm, shall include a device on all entry
and exit doors which will provide a thirty second delay before
the original alarm transmission and immediately upon being
activated shall emit a signal in such a manner as to be
perceptible to a person lawfully entering, leaving or occupying
the premises. Such a device ls intended·to provide an
opportunity for the person having lawful control of the alarm
system to terminate Lts operation after activation but prior to
the transmission of a false alarm.
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8.50.120 Power su Rl A security or
emergency a arm system sha be supplied with an uninterruptible
power supply in such a manner that the failure or interruption of
the normal utility electric service will not activate the alarm
system. The back up power supply must be capable of at least
four hours of continuous operation.
8;~0:130 Alarm·testlng. An owner or lessee of an
alarm system shall notify his central receiving station or
answering service dnd the Carlsbad Police or Fire Department
prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, adjustment,
alteration, or installation of his alarm system which might
activate a false alarm and result in a Police or Fire Department
response. Any alarm system activated when such prior notice
has been given shall not constitute a false alarm.
8:50:140 -Prohibitions. After the effective date of
this ordinance, it sfiall be uniawful to install or modify an
alarm system which upon activation emits sounds similar to
sirens used on emergency vehicles or for civil defense purposes.
It shall be unlawful to transmit an alarm indicating
that an emergency exists without being specific as to the type
of emergency, such as robbery, burglary, fire or medical
emergency.
8;50:150 timltatlon·o~·liablllty. The City of Carlsbad
ls under no obilgatlon or duty to any owner or lessee of arr alarm
system or any other person by reason of any provision in this
chapter, or the exercise of any privilege by any owner or lessee
of an alarm system, including, but not limited to, any defects in
a security or emergency alarm system, any delay in transmission
of an alarm message to any emergency unit, or damage caused by
nonresponse or in responding to any alarm by any City officer,
employee or agent.
8;50~160 ·erimlnal·lenaltles. Any ?erson who willfully
violates any pr~vlslo~ of tfi s chapter shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and upo~ conviction thereof shall be punished by a
fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment in the
county jail not exceeding six months, or both. Each such person
shall be gutlty of a separate offense for each and every day
during any portion of which any violation of any provision of
this chapter is committed, continued, or permitted by such
person.
8;50:170 ·Severabllity·of·erovlsions. If any provision
of this orctfnance ls for any reason field to be invalid or
unconstitutional by the decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the vaiidity of the
remaining portions of this ordinance, and the city Council
declares that each provision ls severable and that it would have
adopted each provision which is not found to be invalid
irrespective of the fact that any one or more provisions are
declared invalid or unconstitutional.
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SECTION 2: That Title 1, Chapter 1.08 of the Carlsbad
Municipal Code amended by the amendment of Section 1.08.0iO to
add Chapter 8.50 to the list of chapters in subsection (a) of
Section 1.08.010.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective
thirty days after its adoption, and City Clerk shall certify to
the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published at
least once in the Carlsbad Jou~nal within fifteen days after its
adoption.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the
Carlsbad City Council held on the 26th -~---=---day of Mar _____ ,
1985, and thereafter
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of said C lty
Council held on the 2nd day of _·_Ap_r_i_1 ______ , 1985 by
the following vote, to wit:
AVES: Council Members easier, Lewis, Kulchin, Cl1ick and Pettine
NOES: None
ABSENT: lline
ATTEST:
ALETRA L.u ~erk
(SEAL)
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Sept$nber 19, 1984
.
TO: Chief of Police
FROM: M. Matney, Crime Prevention ~ffi cer
VIA: Captain Vales(~~
RE: 1984 ALARM ORDINANCE FEATURES
Every city has different needs and priorities. Many of the alarm
ordinance features have been taken from other successful programs
and incorporated into a format that considers Carlsbad's unique
position. Growth is a predominate factor in Calrsbad and any
proposed program should consider this aspect. Since police and
fire services directly affect citizen safety) this concern should
also be addressed. Another factor to be-considered is cost of the
program. The following features of the proposed alarm ordinance
program are intended to be custom designed for the City of Carlsbad.
1. Alarm ordinance purpose is to reduce the false alarm rate in
the City of Carlsbad by establishing minimum standards for
alarm systems and placing responsibility with the alarm user.
2. Term definitions are necessary to insure understanding of
words and terms to all parties involved.
3. Exempt alarm systems include fire alarm systems that are
required by the Fire Code and Municipal Code and smoke detectors
conmonly used in individual residences.
4. Permit requirements assure compliance with the ordinance during
the installation of an alarm systam and subsequent use. Permit
fee assists in reducing costs of administrating the program
to the public.
5. Alarm agent registration reduces the possibility of improper
installation by unlicensed or non-professional alarm installers.
6. Prohibits the following devices:
a) Direct-dial telephone alarm systems which could jam emergency
telephone communications during an emergency.
b) Sirens or horns which sound like emergency vehicles or
civil defense warnings.
c) Audiblr alarm systems which generate sound for more than
fifteen mi nut es.
d) Unauthorized alarm systems not complying with the ordinance
and demands the system be disconnected or repaired.
7. The Chief of Police may discontinue response to any location
when an alarm permit has been suspended or revoked.
___________..,_
1984 Alarm Ordinance Features -2 -September 19, ·l 984
8. An alarm permit may be suspended for failure to comply with
the ordinance or by having:
(1) two false alarms in any 30 day period; or
(2) four false alarms in any 90 day period; or
(3) six false alarms in any 180 day period; or
(4) eight false alarms in any 360 day period.
9. Requires notification of the Police or Fire Department when an
alarm system is tested or serviced.
10. Requires a response by the owner or his agent within twenty minutes
after requested to do so by the Police or Fire Department.
11. Power to the alarm system will be supplied in the event of a
power outage for a minimum of four hours.
12. Criminal penalties may be imposed on alarm users who fail to
comply with the ordinance.
13. Requires alarm companies to advise the Police or Fire Department of the
type of alarm activated (burglary, robbery, or medical emergency}:
14. Indefinite alarm permit period. A permit will be valid unless
there is a change in ownership or failure to comply with the
ordinance.
These features represent a comprehensive ordinance program that will
serve the city as more and more alarms are installed and will instill
a desire to decrease the number of false -alarms in alarm users.
Ultimately a reduced alarm rate will enable police to respond more quickly
to actual criminal activity and reduce the hazard to officers and the
public encountered in false alarm response.
PROGRAM COST ESTIMATE
Current costs to implement the alarm ordinance program would be minimal.
A permit fee requirement as proposed would minimize costs substantially.
Estimated costs include the following:
1. Printed cards and form letters
(initial cost)
* 2. Clerk/Typist time (4-8 hours weekly)
$26.00 x 52 (1 year)= $1352.00
$52.00 x 52 (l year)= $2704.00
$350.00
$26.00/$52.00 per week
$1352.00/$_2704.00 per year
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1984 Alarm Ordinance Features -3 -September 19, 1984
**3. Computer terminal (to connect to
city computer) (one time cost)
$2500.00
*
**
With the proposed addition of Police Service Aids and
the use of the current V.I.P.S. program these personnel
costs may be 1 owe red. An unknown amount of admi ni strat·i ve
time will be required to implement the program.
Although the program may be implemented without this
item, it would be able to assist in reducing personnel
workload and program expansion. It could also be used
by dispatch, records, and detective personnel and
therefore is highly recommended.
Due to the fact that the current number of alann systems in the city is
not known we can o~ly guess at possible revenue from alarm permits.
Based on an educated guess of 400 to 600 alann systems in servicing a
reasonable expectation would be that this number would rise in the
future.
1. Estimated revenue from alarm permit fees would be in excess of:
500 (guess of current alarms) X $25.00 {proposed permit fee)=
$12,500.00
COST REVIEW
1. The current projection for 1984 false alarm response is: $13,532.00 +
2. The Alarm Ordinance start-up cost estimate is:
3. The esti ,nated revenue from pro!)osed permit fees is:
$ 4,554.00 +
$12,500.00 +-
Although cost savings figures depend on compliance with the proposed
ordinance, a reasonable expectation would be a substantial cost
savings to the City of Carlsbad in the form of reduced falso alarm
response.
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1984 ALARM STUDY
Submitted by:
Matt Matney J;z
Crime Prevention Officer
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I!'lT'RODllC'.!'I •:'.::
·rn the past several years, the dramatic increase in crime
prevention interest has brought a similar increase in the number
of alarm systems utilized by businesses and residences. l~i th
this increase, there has been a subsequent increase in the number
of false alarms to which the police must respond.
It is the purpose of this study to examine the apparent
problems of false alarms and analyze ·a possible solution in the
fonn of an alarm ordinance.
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1984 Alarm Ordinance Proposal
There are no current accurate means available for
determining how m~ny alarm systems are in servi~e
in the City of Carlsbad.
In 1982 the
alarm calls
condition.
represents
Carlsbad Police Department responded to 144i
indicating illegal activity or emergency · ·
1421 of these alarm calls were false. This
a 98.2~ false alarm rate. (Appendix 1)
1983 alarm figures are not available.
In the first six months of 1984, 896 alarm calls were
received by the police department. 889 of these alarm
notifications were false,representi~g a 99.3% false alarm
rate. Current projections of faise alarms for 1984 exceed
1700. (Appendix 1)
These statistics show an increasing false alarm rate in
spite of advancements made by the alarm industry and alarm
technology.
What constitutes a false alarm?
According to most agencies, ·a "False Alarm" means the
activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of
the owner or of his employees or agents. Alarms caused
by vi0lent weather conditions, faulty telephone lines,
or earthquakes are usually excluded.
Unnecessary false alarms contribute to postponed police
services(alarm calls are a high priority), excessive wear
on police equipment(police units are generally driven r
faster) and officer safety concerns(officers who respond
to a high number of false alarms may become complacent
and may not always follow proper guidelines for the safe
handling of alarm calls).
The only Carlsbad officer ever killed in the line of duty
was responding to a false alarm(Officer Wesley Fox was
killed in a traffic accident on February 13, 1978).
In additic:, a substantjal cost is attatched to the policr
department for false alarm response. Based on a one month
survey of 162 alarms(May 1984), a total of 3,474 minut~s
(or approximately 58 hrs.) of patrol time was devnted to
responding and checking false alarms. This averaged out
to 21 minutes per alarm call. Ifi this survey 15 minutes
was spent checking an alarm that no responsible owner or
agent would respond to when requested. This alarm was
triggered by a burglar thnt could not be detected from the
outside of the building. 'Three bur~lary victims contacted
the police department thr n~xt mornin~.
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In patrol officer salary alone,responding to false alarm$
during the first six months of 1984, cost the City of
Carlsbad S7,076.44(Appendix 1)
Although the City of Carlsbad has never formally addressed
the problem of excessive false alarms, informal attempts
to alleviate the false alarm rate have failed. Contact
has been made with numerous chronic alarm users and the
predominate attitude of these users is to blame alarm
companies. Alarm companies blame users and the end result
is increased false alarms.
Many agencies in the county and throughout the state faced
with similar alarm problems report they have enacted alarm
control ordinances. These agencies report excellent success
in reducing false alarm rates.
Currently the County of San Diego and the cities of San Diego,
Chula Vista, El Cajon and Escondido have enacted alarm
control ordinances.
Contact with major alarm companies working in San Diego
county revealed that reputable alarm companies encourage
alarm control ordinances. The reason given most often
was that the ordinance has a tendency to 11 weed out"
less than reputable alarm companies, inferior equipment,
and poor service companies. ~nether reason given was
that a good alarm control ordinance serves more as a
guideline and everyone knows what is expected of them.
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To:al ~larm activations during first six months of 1984:
Total false alarms during same period(99.3%):
Average time spent per alarm(MAy-1984 study):
Average officer.pay:·
Officer pay per minute:
Average salary cost for alarm call response with two officers
(minimal response):
~.1893 X 21 minutes= $3.98
$3.98 X 2 officers= $7.96
Salary cost for first six months of 1984 responding to false
alarms:
$7.96 X 889 false alarms= $7076.44
1982 Costs
Total alarm activations during 1982:
Total false alarms during same period(98.2%):
1:Average time spent per alarm(Based on a 53 alarm survey):
Average officer pay
Officer pay per minute
Average salary cost for alarm call response with two officers
(minimal response):
$.1833 X 16 minutes= $2.93
$2.i3 X 2 officers= $~.86
Salary cost for 1982 total false alarms:
$5.86 X 1421= $8327.06 .
t Adequate records of time spent on various requests for police
service have only recently been kept. This survey was done in
Feb/Mar of 1983.
896
889
21 minutes
$11. 36hr.
$.1893
$7.96
$7076.44
• 1447
1421
16 minutes
Sll.00hr.
S.1833
$5.86
$8327. 06 -
Current proiections of 1984 false alarm rate exceed 1700 f°iise alarms.
Based on ab~ve information a cost estim~te for 1984 False alarms would be
· in-excess of S13, 532. 00 in officer salary alone. Note that the David M. Griffith
~~:fs~ee analysis (excerpt attached) .included ovrrhead and results in considerably higher :
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l
Police (Administration) -Total direct and indirect costs of this unit are
allocated to Field Operations, Traffic, Investigz.tii:>ns, and Technical
Services, based on their respective p(ogram salaries.
• Police {Technical Services) -This program is defined as having· three
major activities: records/t~aining, crime prevention, and
communications. Indirect costs, which consist of both Citywide support
and Police Administrative support, are combined with direct operating
expenses and distributed to the appropriate activity.
Added to the above cost centers are line overhead costs, i.e. supervision
by field management (Sergeants, Lieutenants and Captains). In addition the
appropriate share of general operating expense is included. The result is a
total overhead rate on the Police Officer of 119.4% {to be applied to salaries
and benefits). On a productive hourly basis, this translates into a $32 • .50 per
hour cost (excluding vehicles), or $36.00 per hour with a vehicle.
C. POTENTIAL FEE AREAS
{1. False AlarmLJ
The Police Department is currently responding to approximately 1,500
burglar alarms per year, of which 1,000 are commercial and .500
residential. Police management believes the number of false alarms
will keep pace with, or exceed, the growth of the City. Actual entry is
involved in only 2% of all alarms, and of the false alarms, 7 596 involve
residences or businesses which are multiple offenders. There is no
current fee for a false alarm. r
False alarms are not only costly (as they take two units out of service)
but possibly dangerous. After responding to situations which ar~ 98% in
error, ·there is the very human tendency to not be i 00% vigilant in all
potentially dangerous situations. It is, therefore, in the City's best
interest to reduce, by whatever means available, the number of faJse
alarms. More and more cities are beginning to charge for false alarms.
Generally, two or three "free" false alarms are allowed, then either a
fee is levied, or the call is not answered.
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2.
On a full cost basis, each commercial false alarm costs $54 and each
residentlc1.! !alse alarm $24. This af:alysis assumes a commercial
respo~ will require two units for 45 minutes of time. The residential
response Is assumed to require two units for 20 minutes. At ClJCCCot
levels, burglar aiarm responses cost the,J:ity of Carlsbad $64,SOQ.
Assuming a continuation of the 98% false alarm rate, and that 7 5% of
all false alarms are caused by repeat offenders, the City could realize
$47,600 in revenue if a false alarm fee were instituted (at the $54 and
$24 rates). It is recognized that .two factors will probably reduce
potential income. First, if fees are instituted, there will be a greater
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incentive to repair faulty systems. This will of course reduce false
alarms which is a positive goal. Second, a recordkeeping/monitoring
system will have to be ins-tituted if a charge is to be made. Although a
cost would be involved such a system should be easy to design and
operate and is readily adaptable to the City's mini-computers.
Special Staffing
Police Officers are ·occasionally used by private or other public agencies
for crowd control, traffic, or special events. Approximately 200 hours
are billed each year for these activities at $30 per hour. It is suggested
that the rate be increased to $32.50 for a basic officer, and $36.00 for
an officer and vehicle. As the current rate is very close to the actual
cost, there will not be a significant increase in net revenue. The
department, however, should continue to seek reimbursement for
providing these services wherever possible •
. .
' The City provides police officers at school football games at an annual
cost of $3,4.56. The School_ District is not currently charged for this
service. The City Council should decide whether to continue to
subsidize thls activity.
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