Security Industry News >> EMERgency24 Inc.

Op-Ed: Police Encourage Knowledge of Alarm System

I would like to share some information on Alarm Ordinance 3-5. The city of St. George has 
had an alarm ordinance on file since December 1999. The ordinance covers a variety of 
items, and it has key elements.

An alarm permit is required for any alarm system that a business or residence within the 
city limits of St. George maintains to summon police assistance. The alarm permit is a 
three-part form that contains information about the alarm user, alarm companies involved 
and key holders that can respond to assist the police department when needed. A one-time 
fee of $25 is charged. A new permit is required if the name of the account changes, you 
change alarm companies or if you move to a different address in St. George and keep the 
alarm monitoring service.

We do charge for false alarm responses. A false alarm is determined to be a response of 
police officers to the scene of the alarm without proof of criminal activity. An alarm 
owner is provided one free false alarm. If there is a second false alarm within a year of 
the first one, a $50 fine is assessed. If the second false alarm is past a year, then the 
"time" starts over.

We strongly encourage the alarm owner to completely understand how to use the services 
for which they are paying. The alarm company is also required to show you how to use your 
alarm system correctly. There are many different types of alarm systems, so don't be 
afraid to ask what is available. Also, most alarm owners have specific instructions with 
the alarm monitoring service on how they want the alarm call to be handled. Many owners 
will have the alarm company call them first before they call the police department to 
respond. Remember, the alarm company works for you. Become familiar with how your alarm 
system works, and you will have confidence in using your system.

What happens when my alarm system is tripped? Your alarm-monitoring service calls the St. 
George Police Department dispatch center. The dispatcher will get the address of the 
alarm, alarm-holder information, what type of alarm has been tripped and location of the 
alarm at the address. Dispatchers will then send two police officers to the scene. 
Responses to an alarm call are affected by the resources available to the police 
department at the time the call is received. Fifteen percent of the St. George Police 
Department's responses to calls are alarm calls. When the officers arrive they will 
investigate the scene. Their primary concern is to determine the safety of the alarm 
owner. They also look for any criminal activity such as broken windows, doors and pry 
marks, etc.

Depending on the type of alarm received, a key holder may be called to assist the 
officers in getting into the building to conduct a search.

Who are key holders? Key holders can be family, friends or neighbors. These are people 
who you trust, are aware of your comings and goings, and know how to use the alarm 
system.

Key holders are always encouraged to meet with the officers. Remember, officers are 
looking for the obvious source of a tripped alarm. Key holders should be familiar with 
the home or business so they can assist the officers in determining if a crime has 
occurred. We strongly encourage a key holder for an alarm account to be within 20 minutes 
of the home or business. This allows for a timely response.

If you have any questions about the alarm ordinance or alarm permit process, you can go 
to the city's Web page at www.sgcity.org. Click on the City Codes and Ordinances link, 
click on Title 3, then click on Chapter 5 to view the ordinance.

Ken Head is a front-office employee with the St. George Police Department.