Transcript Dealing with the Indigent, Transient and Homeless

False Alarms
Presented by
American Crime
Prevention Institute
The Problem
• 95-98% of all alarm calls are false
• Police responded to 38 million burglar alarms
in 1998 – 98% were false
• In some areas, alarm calls account for 10-30%
of all calls for police services
• It is estimated that 7% of U.S. homes and 40%
of U.S. businesses have alarm systems - a total
of 7 million systems
• The IACP estimates that $600 million is
spent annually in the U.S. responding to
false alarms that consume 6.5 million
personnel hours
• The Justice Dept. reports that false burglar
alarm police responses would free up
35,000 police officers nationwide
• There has been a rapid growth in the alarm
industry in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s
Declining prices of alarm systems
Introduction of retail sales of alarm equipment
Fear of crime
The Result
• Unnecessary police dispatches
Consume officer time
Waste fuel
Increase the risk of accidents
Cause wear and tear on equipment
Reduce police service to areas with greater
need for officer presence
Overtime, erode officer caution
• Loss of alarm’s deterrent value
• Projected growth in the use of alarms
portends a worsening problem
Types of Security-Related Alarms
•
•
•
•
•
Intrusion Detection Alarm - “Burglar Alarm”
Hold-Up Alarms
Duress Alarms - “Panic Buttons”
Delayed-Egress Alarm - usually monitored locally
Personal Security Alarm - usually monitored
locally
• Propped Door Alarm
• Restroom Duress Alarms
• Personal Battery-Powered Alarms
What Is A False Alarm?
• One definition of false alarm includes alarm
signals that occur when no intrusion has been
attempted.
• Another definition includes alarms caused by user
or mechanical error but not those caused by severe
weather, power outages, or telephone line
disorders.
• “Nuisance alarms” are unwanted alarm system
activations in which a sensor properly responds to
a stimulus, but the stimulus is not a burglar.
• “True false alarms” are system activations
due to mechanical defects
• “False dispatches” are unnecessary
requests for police assistance that may
result from nuisance alarms, true false
alarms or errors by alarm monitoring
stations.
What Causes False Alarms?
• Technological errors - are decreasing
• Installation errors - also application errors
• User errors - cause 40-60% of false alarms
 Inadequate user training
 Complexity of alarm system controls
• Lack of maintenance
• Changes in use of protected site
• Use of older, less reliable systems
Possible Solutions to the Alarm Problem
• Technical - improved alarm technology and
installation - possibly state certification for
installers
• Customer Education and Public Awareness
 False Alarm School - Oxnard, CA Police Dept.
 Attendance dismisses one
City of Oxnard false alarm fine (at
least $75.00)
 The problem of false alarms
 Laws relating to false alarms
 Identifying a
reputable alarm company
 Why do false alarms occur?
 Your rights as an alarm owner
 Is your alarm system right for you?
 Dealing with your central station
 How to handle a false alarm activation
 Eight Easy Ways to Prevent False Alarms
(from Anaheim, CA Police Dept.)
 Train
each person who will be using the alarm system. Anyone
with a key to your door must be trained - and that includes
neighbors, janitors, and others who only use the system
occasionally, Have each person actually turn the system on and off
- don’t just explain it to them verbally. If you change the code, be
sure everyone with a door key is notified.
 Know how to cancel a false alarm. Have your alarm company’s
phone number handy. Know the code number or password needed
to cancel a false alarm.
 Check all doors and windows before turning on the alarm. Make
sure all doors and windows are closed and locked, even if they are
not on the alarm. Some alarm sensors can be affected by wind
gusts, noise, birds, and animals which can enter through
unprotected openings.
 Don’t block
beams or motion detectors. Partially blocked
beams or motion detectors can become overly sensitive and
cause false alarms. Blocked detectors can be come overly
sensitive and cause false alarms. Blocked detectors can also
reduce or eliminate your alarm protection.
 Be
sure there’s no motion in areas protected by motion
detectors. Balloons, moving signs, and falling boxes can all
cause false alarms. Do not allow animals in areas protected by
motion detectors unless the system was specifically designed
to work with animals present.
 Don’t turn
off the electrical power to the system. Standby
batteries don’t last forever. Know which circuit breakers
control the power to the alarm system, and don’t turn them off.
 Treat
you alarm system with care. Wiring and detection
devices can be accidentally damaged, and false alarms can
result. Notify your alarm company of any damage, and never
attempt to repair the system yourself.
 If
your system uses opening and closing schedules, each alarm
user must know about them. Some businesses have alarm
systems, which must be turned on and off at prearranged times
each day. Opening before the scheduled opening time or on a
day the business is scheduled to be closed, is a common cause
of false alarms. Each user must be aware of the opening and
closing schedule, and also must know the proper procedure for
opening outside normally scheduled hours.
 Overland Park, KS Police Dept.
PowerPoint-based Presentation
• Local Ordinances and State Laws
 Approximately 2,000 cities and counties employ false
alarm laws - also a few states
 Most ordinances allow a fixed number of “free” false
alarms before imposing a series of fines
 Some ordinances require users to register their alarm
systems
 After a certain number of false alarms, some ordinances
require users to prove they have repaired their systems
 Some ordinances allow the police to have a policy of
not responding to a particular users’ alarms after a
certain number of false calls
 Some ordinances require users to provide the police
with names of persons who can come to the alarm site
with keys and the ability to reset the alarm
 Some ordinances require alarm companies to verify
alarms by one method or another before calling the
police
Some ordinances require alarm installers to be
trained and registered
The degree of false alarms reduction from
implementation of local false alarm laws vary
from insignificant to 50%
• Fines for Excessive False Alarms
• Permits - Provide Standards
• Non Police Response - after a certain number of
false alarms - provide procedures for reinstatement
• Private Response
• Time-of-Day Differentiation
Some police departments require telephone
verification of commercial alarms during business
hours - respond without verification at night
CUSTOMER FALSE ALARM PREVENTION
CHECKLIST
Please review the checklist below. If you answer “No” to any
of these questions, please contact your alarm
company for additional information and/or
training.
Remember: The police are counting on you to prevent false
alarms.
YES NO (Check One)
____ ____ I have been trained in the proper operation of the
alarm system.
____ ____ I have been given a summary operating sheet.
____ ____ I have been given the security system operating
manual.
____ ____ I know how to cancel an accidental alarm
activation.
____ ____ I have the cancellation code.
____ ____ I know how to turn off motion detectors while
leaving other sensors on.
____ ____ I know how to test the system, including the
communication link with the monitoring center.
____ ____ I understand the length of the delay time on
designated entry/exit doors and I believe this will
provide sufficient time to get in and out of the
premises.
____ ____ I have the alarm company phone number to
request repair service or to ask questions about
the alarm system.
____ ____ I understand that indoor pets can cause
false alarms and I will contact my alarm
company to adjust the alarm system if I
acquire any additional indoor pets.
____ ____ I have been offered the option of a
training/no dispatch period.
____ ____ I know where the main control panel and
transformer are located.
____ ____ I have received an alarm sheet which
describes how the alarm company will
communicate with me in the event of various
alarm signals.
____ ____ I understand the importance of keeping my
emergency contact information updated and
I know how to do this.
____ ____ I understand the importance of immediately
advising the alarm company if my phone
number changes (including area code
changes).
____ ____ I have been made aware of the alarm
ordinance, if any, that governs the operation
of system and I will comply with applicable
requirements (permits, fees, etc.).
____ ____ I will advise the alarm company if I do any
remodeling to my home or business.
____ ____ I understand that certain building defects
(such as loose fitting doors or windows,
rodents, inadequate power, and roof leaks)
can cause false alarms. I will correct these
defects as I become aware of them.
____ ____ The alarm company has given me written
false alarm prevention techniques to help
me prevent false alarms.
____ ____ I understand it is my responsibility to prevent
false alarms and I understand it is my
responsibility to assure that all users of the
alarm system (residents, employees, guests,
cleaning people, and repair people) are
trained on the proper use of the alarm
system.
New LAPD Alarm Policy
In January of 2003, The Los Angeles Police
Department, under new Chief William J.
Bratton, adopted a new alarm response
policy.
LAPD will not respond to burglar alarms
unless alarms are verified as genuine by a
property owner or private security company
New policy does not apply to duress alarms.
For LAPD, 92% of 135,000 burglar alarms
annually are false.
LAPD estimates Los Angeles will save the
equivalent of $11 million in payroll costs
annually with the new policy.
Thank You
THANK YOU
The American Crime Prevention Institute is a
division of the AEGIS Protection Group, Inc.