Allen Police hope a new fee will reduce the number of false alarm calls officers respond to each year.
Both home and business owners are required to apply for an alarm permit if their burglar alarms are tied into a 911 notification system. However, hundreds of homes and businesses fail to comply. In 2014 and 2015, Allen Police responded to roughly 750 unpermitted false alarms.
The new alarm fee structure adds a $250 penalty if officers respond to a false alarm at an unpermitted home or businesses. The penalty will be waived if owners apply for an alarm permit within 30 days of the incident.
“Our intention is not to generate funds,” said Allen Police Chief Brian Harvey. “The objective is compliance. The objective is to keep us from going on these false alarms.”
In addition to adding the $250 penalty, Allen has raised the fee for obtaining a business alarm permit to $100. Home alarm permits will remain unchanged at $50. Home and business owners must register their alarms each year.