posted on Thursday, December 10, 2009 2:15 PM
by
administrator
Frisco, TX, Approves Alarm Ordinance
Frisco, TX, Police Capt. Darren Stevens told the City Council that each false alarm costs the police department about $119 in manpower and resources. Based on the 7,400 confirmed false alarms last year, that's $880,600.
The numbers served as the introduction to the city's new alarm ordinance, which the council passed unanimously last night. The new ordinance, detailed here, updates technical standards, modifies definitions and establishes some new fees.
"This is a good step in getting a handle on this [problem] before it grows," Stevens said.
Those with alarms will have to pay an annual permit fee of $35 (up from $25 in the previous ordinance). Permit holders will also be charged for excessive false alarms, which vary in number depending on the type of alarm and type of permit. One permit holder had 104 false alarms last year, Stevens said.
In addition to the new ordinance, the council also approved a contract with PMAM Corporation for Alarm Management Services to manage the city's alarm permitting program. The company already has contracts with Richardson, Allen, McKinney and Houston. The contract will be funded with a percentage of revenue generated from fees.
Stevens said the company is expected to increase the number of permits and reduce the number of false alarm responses by police, thereby saving money for the city. "This is a very good option for us," he said.