O-2009-3199 revise regulation of and permitting fees for burglar alarms

Browse Search

REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: 11/09/09 Requested By: Kpnith Arlf'OX Department: Pgliclil Report: Resolution: Ordinance: X Budl!et Source of Funds: Account Number: Amount Budgeted: Amount Requested: Exhibits: (1) Alarm Ordinance showing Requested Changes (2) Alarm Ordinance for Signature (3) Power Point Presentation Budgeted Item: YES NO SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION As discussed in a previous workshop, in 2008, officers of the La Porte Police Department responded to approximately 1800 alarm calls. Over 95% of these calls were subsequently determined to be false. It is estimated that responding to these false alarms costs the City of La Porte approximately $100,000 annually with little or no benefit to the community. Utilizing traditional false alarm reduction initiatives, such as violator mail notifications and repeat offender home visits, the Police Department has been able to reduce the number of false alarms occurring in the City of La Porte by 28% thus far in 2009. While significant progress has been made in this area, it is still estimated that officers ofthe La Porte Police Department will be required to respond to approximately 1170 false alarms by years end. In order to reduce this waste even further, ensuring that our Police Officers are able to focus more productively on proactive crime reduction and traffic safety duties, the Police Department is requesting that the City Council approve the revision of Municipal Ordinance No. 2003-2661 (Alarms) to provide for increased fee assessments, in accordance with State Law, relating to excessive numbers of repeat false alarms, standardized initial permit and renewal fees, enhanced call verification, and minimum alarm equipment standards and training. Action Reauired bv Council: Approve the revision of Municipal Ordinance No. 2003-2661 (Alarms) as requested. II /l1~ Date