posted on Monday, December 31, 2007 10:07 AM
by
klehan
Montclair, NJ False Alarms Down 25% After Program Launch
Coming up on a year of implementation, the municipality’s false alarm tracking system has proved successful, according to Montclair Police Chief David
Sabagh.
Sabagh told Township Council members that Montclair has seen “a 25 percent reduction in false alarms” in the 11 months since the municipal government started charging home- and business-owners for false alarms.
Data shows the new penalty system has done its job.
According to the chief, the Montclair Police Department responded in 2006 to 3,608 false alarms, compared to 2007’s 2,711 false alarm calls.
Sabagh reported that the reduction of 897 false alarm calls equates to more than 448 man-hours “where officers can be assigned to other law enforcement related matters such as directed patrol, radar enforcement, etc.”
According to the chief, more than 630 businesses and residents have been fined since the ordinance’s inception last year. Montclair has subsequently collected $280,791.17 in revenue through Oct. 31, 2007 in alarm registration and false alarm fees.
Sabagh reported that $55,562.08 in service fees have been paid to the billing company, generating a net income of $225,229.09, or approximately $15,000 per month.
The false alarm program is handled by Colorado-based ATB Services, an agency under contact with Montclair.
Property owners are not fined for their first false alarm of the year, but for the second they’re charged $50, for the third $100, and for four or more they are billed $200 each. The tally of false alarms at their properties does not accumulate from one year to the next.
Under the previous false alarm ordinance, which had neither been enforced nor examined since 1976, the penalties were substantially higher, peaking at $1,000, and violators could be put in prison. Council members said that such consequences were too severe and inconsistent with state standards.
Sabagh previously said that owners of properties that have alarms should occasionally call their security providers and ask for a technician to check that their systems are working correctly. The chief said that citizens need to make certain their alarms’ wiring meets municipal code, such as the connections and contacts are correctly functioning.
The registration fee for alarm systems is $50. Alarm users can register online at www.atbservices.com/montclair. Registration must be renewed on an annual basis.