HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - FALSE ALARM PGM (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
Ken Striplin
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: September 9, 1997
SUBJECT: FALSE ALARM PROGRAM
ORDINANCE NO. 97-15
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
BACKGROUND
In June of 1996, the City Council adopted the MSI fee study. Within the MSI study were a
number of areas which showed that the City was providing several user specific services with
no cost recovery fees in place. One of those services was responding to false burglary and
robbery alarms at businesses and homes. The MSI study showed that the Sheriffs Department
respondedto approximately 5,500 false alarms a year, at an annual cost of approximately
$590,000. The City Council directed staff to pursue a false alarm program proposal for their
review.
Per the Council's request, staff has researched false alarms and developed a program to address
this problem. Through this process staff has:
• Surveyed other cities
• Developed a preliminary program
• Conducted several public participation meetings
Survey of Other Cities
Staff contacted numerous cities regarding their false alarm programs. The majority of the 39
contract cities have a false alarm program in place.
The following shows what other false alarm programs look like for comparable cities:
Palmdale/Lancaster
4th false alarm
$100.00
Thousand Oaks
3rd false alarm
$55.00
4th false alarm
$110.00
5th false alarm
$150.00
West Hollywood Burbank
3rd false alarm 3rd false alarm
$120.00 $50.00
Each program is based on a twelve-month time period. - , en
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Simi Valley
6th false alarm
$72.50
ORDINANCE NO. 97-15
September 9, 1997 - Page 2
Proposed False Alarm Program
The purpose of a false alarm program is threefold, to encourage the proper maintenance of
alarm systems, reduce the number of false alarms, and to allow deputies to better utilize their
time and focus on other calls. With these goals in mind, the following program is being proposed.
The Sheriff will respond to alarm calls, as they are dispatched through the Sheriffs
Department. After an investigation and determining that no crime has taken place, the deputy
will leave notice at the residence or business. The deputy will also forward a copy to the City.
The City will send out a card requesting information from the alarm user, such as name,
address, telephone number, etc. The City will also send out an informational brochure
explaining the False Alarm Ordinance and its requirements.
If a second false alarm occurs, the Sheriff will again leave notice with the alarm user and
forward a copy to the City. The City will send notice to the alarm user reminding them of the
program and that subsequent false alarms will be billed to them at a rate of $107.00.
If an alarm user receives a third false alarm, they will be sent an invoice for $107.00, payable
within 30 days. The program will be based on a calendar year beginning January 1.
The MSI study determined the cost of responding to false alarms to be $107.00 per occurrence.
This includes all costs associated with responding, such as, dispatching the alarm call,
responding, investigation, overhead, and personnel time.
Public Participation
Staff held a community meeting; gave a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce and the
Sheriffs Communitv Advisory Committee; contacted alarm companies within the City; and
contacted the school districts. Overall, the participants expressed support of the program;
however, some recommendations were made. These recommendations include reducing the
recovery rate, changing the length of time from twelve months to six, and finally, increasing the
number of free false alarms allowed in a year to three as opposed to two.
The real benefit of this program is the reallocation of resources. This program is projected to
reallocate 825 hours of the Sheriffs time to other services needs. It is estimated the City will
actually collect on approximately 10 percent of the total number of false alarms, even though
we believe this program will encourage proper maintenance and reduce overall false alarms by
as much as 15 percent. The cost of the program includes an account clerk to administer the
program and all necessary equipment and supplies. The program is anticipated to cover all
costs of administration.
ORDINANCE NO. 97-15
September 9, 1997 - Page 3
Pros and Cons of a False Alarm Program:
Pros
Allows the Sheriffs to spend more time on other needed services
Encourages the proper maintenance of alarm systems
Creates a process to recover costs associated with excessive false alarm occurrences
May reduce response times for other service calls
Cons
May cost residents and business owners money
Cost of administering the program
Citizens may not like paying for a service they perceive themselves as already paying
RECOMMENDATION
City Council waive further reading, introduce Ordinance No. 97-15, and pass for second
reading.
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NO. 97-15
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
RELATING TO ALARM SYSTEMS AND AMENDING
CHAPTER 11.05 OF THE SANTA CLARITA.MUNICIPAL
CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA,
DOES FIND AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND INTENT.
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Ordinance is.to regulate the
use and maintenance of specific alarm systems ("Systems") within
the City; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to provide authority to impose fees
relating to the use and maintenance of these Systems; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance provides for penalties for
violations of the regulations contained herein.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. Chapter 11.05 ("Burglar and Robbery Alarms") of
Title 11 ("Public Peace and Welfare") of the Santa Clarita
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"11.05.030. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the
words hereinafter defined are used as so defined unless it is
apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.
A. "Alarm Owner" means the person who owns, leases, rents,
uses or makes available for use by his agents, employees,
representatives or family, any alarm system.
B. "Alarm System" means any device, whether known as a
burglary, robbery, or intrusion alarm, direct -dial telephone
device, audible or silent alarm, or by any other name, which is
used for the detection of any unauthorized entry into a building,
structure or facility, or to signal the commission of an unlawful
act. It shall include those devices which emit a signal within
the protected premises where located, and are otherwise known as
"proprietary alarm systems." Auxiliary devices installed by a
telephone company to protect company systems which might be
damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system are not
included in this definition. Alarms affixed to automobiles are
not governed by this Ordinance.
C. "Audible Alarm" means a device designed to notify
persons in the immediate vicinity of a protected premises, by
LAX2:168618.1
emission of an audible sound, of an unauthorized entry on the
premises or of the commission of an unlawful act.
D. "Direct -Dial Device" means a device which is connected
to a telephone line and upon activation of an alarm system,
automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and
transmits a message or signal indicating a need for emergency
response.
E. "False Alarm" means an alarm signal activated by causes
other than the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful
act which the alarm system is designated to detect and/or report;
and which results in a requested and/or actual response by
police. False alarms include, but are not limited.to, the
activation of an alarm system because of mechanical failure,
preventable accident, improper operation, misuse, malfunction,
improper installation, or negligence or carelessness of the alarm
user. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature
or other extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control
of the alarm owner shall not constitute a false alarm.
11.05.040. Audible Alarms -- Identification of Owner
Qperation. For every audible alarm, the alarm owner thereof
shall post the names and telephone numbers of persons to be
notified to render repairs or service during any hour of the day
or night during which the audible alarm is operated. An audible
alarm shall terminate its operation or the audible alarm shall
automatically reset within 30 minutes of its being activated.
No audible alarm may, when activated, emit a sound similar to the
siren of authorized vehicles as defined in Section 165 of the
California Vehicle code. The principal alarm user shall ensure
that all alarm users are instructed in the proper use of the
alarm system and are aware of the provisions of this Ordinance.
11.05.050. Direct Dial Telephone Device Prohibited when.
No person or other entity, except the City, shall use any alarm
system which is equipped with a direct -dial device, and which
when activated,.automatically dials any telephone number in any
office of the Sheriff or other law enforcement entity.
11.05.060. False Alarm -- Prohibited -- Exception.
A. A person shall not knowingly cause a false alarm to
occur. This section does not prohibit a test of an alarm system
as permitted in advance by the Sheriff.
B. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
11.05.070. False Alarm -- Owner Responsibility. After any
false alarm, the alarm owner shall, upon request by the Sheriff,
submit a written report to the Sheriff describing actions taken
LAX2:188618.1 -2-
or to be taken to eliminate the cause of the false alarm. This
report shall be submitted with ten (10) days of the date of
request by the Sheriff.
11.05.080. Maintaining a Public Nuisance Alarm. An alarm
owner shall not operate an alarm system which generates more than
two (2) false alarms in any twelve (12) month period.
11.05.090. Exemptions from Applicability. The provisions
of Sections 11.05.040 through 11.050.080 are not applicable to
audible alarms for motor vehicles or to a public telephone
utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant
to tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities
Commission.
11.05.100. Misuse of Alarm System. Use of an alarm system
in the absence of an actual emergency situation, which results in
the response of the Sheriff; or use of an alarm system rather
than a telephone to summon the Sheriff in any situation where
such telephone use would not create an immediate threat to the
safety of the caller or other persons; or use of an alarm system
to summon police to incidents of shoplifting, petty theft,
disturbances, prowlers, suspicious circumstances or to any
incident where all suspects are believed to have left the scene,
is a false alarm and a misuse of the alarm system.
11.05.110. Violation -- Corrective Action -- Nuisance
Alarms -- Prosecution. Violation of this chapter maybe
prosecuted in the same manner as any other infraction. However,
upon the first and second false alarm in a calendar year
beginning January 1, the Sheriffs will fill out a form (in
triplicate) one to the alarm owner, one to the City, and one to
remain on file with the Sheriff's Department indicating the
property location, date of false alarm, andother information
necessary to track false alarms. The City will retain copies and
track all subsequent false alarms for that alarm user.
11.05.120. Appeal Process. The City shall establish an
appeal process and every person receiving monetary charges for
false alarm responses may file an appeal. A written appeal must
be submitted to the Sheriff's Department. The appeal will be
made to the City Manager or his designee. Decisions of the City
Manager or his designee are final.
11.05.130. Break-in Period. The City may establish a
procedure which permits a "break-in" period for new alarm
systems. False alarms generated during the break-in period will
not be charged against the alarm user, provided the following
conditions are met:
LA 2:188618.1 -3-
(1) the City shall be notified in advance, in writing, of
the date on which the alarm system will be placed in
operation; and,
(2) the alarm user and alarm company are actively involved
in identifying and correcting actual and potential causes of
false alarms.
The break-in period for each new alarm system shall commence on
the date indicated in the written notification to the City, and
shall not exceed thirty (30) consecutive calendar days and shall
not be extended.
11.05.140.. Fees, A service charge in an amount established
by the City Council by resolution shall be levied for each police
response to an alarm determined to be false, after the first two
or after expiration of a break-in period, if any. The Department
of Administrative Services shall invoice and collect these
service charges in the same manner as other debts owed to the
City.
11.05.160. Comvliance Reauired. Any alarm installed prior
to the effective date of this Ordinance shall comply with all
provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remainder of the Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares
that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of
1997.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
LAX2:1ee61e.1 —4—
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF )
I, , City Clerk of the City of
do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance
No. was regularly introduced and placed upon its first
reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day
of , 19_. That thereafter, said Ordinance was
duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council
on the day of , 19_, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
APPROVED:
CITY ATTORNEY
LAs2:189619.1
MM
CITY CLERK
4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA TITLES
(Due Wednesday Noon)
AGENDA DATE: September 9, 1997
NEW BUSINESS
AGENDA TITLE: Proposed False Alarm Program
17�1910111(0)►f►I�M0 430- I
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 97-15
DESCRIPTION OF ITEM: In June of 1996, the City Council adopted the MSI fee study. Within
the MSI study were a number of areas which showed that the City was providing several user
specific services with no cost recovery fees in place. One of those services was responding to
false burglary and robbery alarms at businesses and homes. The MSI study showed that the
Sheriff's Department responded to approximately 5,500 false alarms a year, at an annual cost of
approximately $590,000. The City Council directed staff to pursue a false alarm program
proposal for their review.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council waive further reading, introduce Ordinance 97-15,
and pass to second reading.
DEPARTMENT HEAD SIGNATURE:
Submitted by: Ken Striplin
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on September 9,1997, the City Council of the City of
Santa Clarita introduced Ordinance 97-15 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA,
RELATING TO ALARM SYSTEMS AND AMENDING CHAPTER 11.05 OF THE
SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
This ordinance would regulate the use and maintenance of specific alarm systems within
the City.
A certified copy of the complete text of the ordinance is posted and may be read in the City
Clerk's Office, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 301, Santa Clarita, and/or a copy may be
obtained from that office.
Dated this 11th day of September, 1997.
Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk
City of Santa Clarita
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
Sharon L. Dawson, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the duly
appointed and qualified City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita and that by Thursday,
September 11, 1997, she caused a certified copy of the subject ordinance to be posted and
made available for public review in the City Clerk's office and a copy of the ordinance
summary to be published as required by law.
A 9jQ,
Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk
City of Santa Clarita