False Alarm Reduction

The City of Chamblee believes that false alarms create a burden on the taxpayers and tie up valuable police time. It has been found and determined that three or more alarms within any calendar year is excessive and constitutes a public nuisance. As such, false alarms are assessed service charges on a graduated scale. The 11th false alarm in a calendar year will result in the revocation of the alarm permit and the discontinuance of a police response to the alarm.

Service Charge Schedule & Fees

3 in a calendar year = $50 4 in a calendar year = $75 5 in a calendar year = $100 6 in a calendar year = $125 7 in a calendar year = $150

8 in a calendar year = $200 9 in a calendar year = $250 10 in a calendar year = $300 11 or more in a calendar year results in permit revocation

Permit Revocation & Suspension of Police Response

When an alarm user has more than ten false alarms during the calendar year or when the alarm user fails to pay any service charge or civil penalty within 30 days from the date of invoice, the alarm user's permit will be revoked in the following manner:

• The alarm user shall be given ten-day advance written notification that the alarm user's permit will be revoked. This written notice shall set forth the reasons for such revocation.
• The notice shall specify the specific date of revocation and that police response to the alarm user's permitted location will only be initiated in response to a 911 call or upon verification by the alarm company or user that the alarm was activated as a result of criminal activity. The alarm company will also be served with the notice.

Preventing False Alarms

A person commits a criminal offense if he/she operates an alarm system during the period in which the alarm permit is revoked. Likewise, an alarm company commits an offense if it continues alarm dispatch requests to an alarm site after notification by the alarm administrator that the alarm permit has been revoked.
Most false alarms can be easily prevented by following these guidelines:

• Make sure all alarm users and key holders are trained to use the system and know the codes to arm and disarm the system, and also how to cancel a false alarm.
• Be sure doors and windows are properly closed and locked before arming the system. Unsecured doors and windows are easily jarred, resulting in false alarms.
• Be sure motion sensors are adjusted correctly, especially if you have pets.
• Have an arming delay of at least 60 seconds. Frequently, people take too long to exit the premises, or set the system off by re-entering.
• If your alarm system is easily set off by thunderstorms or power outages, have it repaired or adjusted. Alarms caused by power outages and normal thunderstorms will be considered false alarms.
• Periodically check the batteries and test your alarm system.
• Read and follow the instructions in your operator's manual.