New Orleans False
Alarm Ordinance Goes Into Effect Today
NEW ORLEANS
– Effective today (May 1), NOPD will be tracking false alarm calls and
enforcing penalties on repeat offenders, in an effort to reduce the city’s
false alarm rate from automated alarm systems.
In 2015 the city approved a false alarm reduction ordinance
aimed at minimizing the overall number of false alarm calls requiring
police response. The ordinance requires businesses and residents to pay a
fine for every false alarm call beginning with the second offense. It is
designed to generate efficient police services and keep officers on the
streets and available for higher priority calls and crime reduction
efforts. The City has contracted with Public Safety Corporation, a
Maryland-based alarm monitoring service.
All Orleans Parish alarm users are required to register under
the law. This includes all private residences and business locations
within Orleans Parish. Online registration is now available at www.crywolfservices.com/neworleansla.
“NOPD is taking a new approach to dealing with false alarms, which
currently account for the overwhelming number of alarm calls,” said
Superintendent Michael Harrison. “These calls waste a tremendous amount of
our officers’ time and resources. By decreasing or eliminating false
alarm calls, we’re enabling officers to respond to actual crimes and
emergencies when they arise. Our job is to protect and serve the people of
New Orleans, and this program is going to help free up officers’ time to do
just that.”
WATCH: NOPD
Shares Helpful Tips to Avoid False Alarms
Last year approximately 98.9 percent of all alarm calls in New
Orleans were false alarms. NOPD officers responded to nearly 40,100
dispatched automatic alarm calls across the city, which averages to 110
calls per day. Of the 40,100 dispatched calls, 39,643 were false alarms.
Officers can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to as long as an hour
responding and clearing alarm calls. After being dispatched to the scene,
police must clear the building and wait for a business representative to
arrive. Police are often called to the same business multiple times in one
night due to faulty alarm systems.
False alarms are caused by a variety of factors, including
employee error, environment, improper code, power outages, animals and
equipment malfunctions. By enforcing a fine system, police hope to provide
an incentive for businesses and residents to properly use and maintain
their alarms.
Under the ordinance, the alarm system user will get “four strikes”
annually before service is suspended. There is no fine imposed for the
first false alarm. Fines start at $75 for the second offense and $150 for
the third offense and the fourth offense. A notice of suspension will then
be issued by certified mail. The suspension of police response to the alarm
user’s address will begin fifteen days after the receipt of the notice of
suspension unless a written appeal of the suspension is made to the
Superintendent.
WATCH: False
Alarm Ordinance Imposes Fines on Repeat Offenders
The ordinance mandates suspension after the fourth false alarm
call. Suspension means officers won’t respond to calls at businesses or
residences placed on suspension until the property owner becomes compliant
by repairing the faulty alarm. NOPD will respond to 911 calls from the
address but not alarm calls.
If an assessed false alarm fine has not been paid within 30
days of the date the notice was mailed and no appeal has been filed, the
alarm system user will be assessed a late fee of $25 and mailed a notice by
certified mail. If payment is not received within 10 days after the late
notice is received, the alarm system user will be liable for a fine of an
additional $100 and the delinquent payment may result in a notice of
suspension of police response to the address. Additional fines may be
assessed to alarm system monitoring companies and alarm system users if
false alarms are reported during the suspension period.
At the end of a calendar year the false alarm count for each
address will revert to zero if all fines have been paid.
WATCH: NOPD
Officials Explain Benefits of New False Alarm Ordinance
The City of New Orleans has contracted with Public Safety
Corporation, a Maryland-based alarm monitoring service developed by AOT
Public Safety Corporation. Services provided by the company will be free to
the city and the city will receive a percentage of the fines paid by repeat
offenders.
All Orleans Parish alarm users are required to register under
the law. This includes all private residences and business locations
within Orleans Parish. Online registration will be available
beginning May 1.
Click here to
read the entire False Alarm Ordinance.
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