HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1993 0303 CC REG ITEM 12C��� ` •
..ARK, CAUFC, ?�'�TE M
Council Meeting
1991
AGENDA REPORT
Byi _ 1 u. Ctl McC . -�
199
TO: The Honorable City Council ,C:TIC
FROM: Geoff Dean, Lieutenant
Ordinance prepared by Sgt, rty Rouse By--k/_
DATE: February 10, 1993 (CC meeting 2- 17 -93)
SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance No. / Regulating the use of
Alarm Systems within t e City
BACKGROUND
In 1987, the City of Moorpark adopted an alarm policy with
the hope that it would reduce the number of false alarms.
This policy, which is still in effect, provides notification
to the alarm owner when deputies respond to an alarm call
and find the alarm is false. The policy requires the owner
to show steps have been taken to correct the problem which
caused the false alarm. If the false burglary alarms
continue (five within any twelve consecutive months) and no
corrections are made, the police department notifies the
owner that the police department will not respond until the
corrections are made.
It should be noted that these are burglary alarms only and
do not include panic or robbery alarms. We would always
respond to panic or robbery alarms.
DISCUSSION
The current policy has not been effective. In 1988, the rate
of false alarms was in excess of 99 %. That percentage has
not changed during the past four years, even though this
policy has been in effect.
The annual costs of responding to false alarms is in excess
of $10,000. An associated problem is that these alarm
calls, which utilize two officers, reduce our ability to
respond quickly to other calls for service and remove two
police units from preventative patrol.
PROPOSAL
The proposed ordinance requires the payment of a $50.00 fee
by the owner of the burglary alarm if the police department
responds to a third false alarm in any consecutive twelve
(12) month period.
Honorable City Council
February 10, 1993
Page 2
The fee increases to $100.00 for a fourth response, and
$150.00 for a fifth false alarm response in the same twelve
month period. Any response to false alarms in excess of
five in any consecutive 12 month period will be billed at
the approved police services rate for actual time on the
call, including the cost to the department associated with
informing the alarm owner of the alarm deficiencies and
gaining compliance with operational standards.
We hope that this policy will help reduce the number of
false alarms we respond to, and at the same time assist the
City in recovering some of the costs that it incurs because
of these calls for service.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council approve the proposed
ordinance.
Attachment: Ordinance No.
February 4, 1993 c: \wp51\Reports\Alarm.RptGI)