Florida Police Chiefs Adopt False Alarm Ordinance

FRISCO, Texas

The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) recently passed a resolution to adopt a Model Alarm Ordinance. The ordinance will be used by police chiefs across the state to develop and/or revise their jurisdiction’s alarm management programs. It serves as the nation’s first model alarm ordinance developed by a state police chiefs association, according to the FPCA.

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) as well as the Alarm Association of Florida (AAF) helped FPCA develop the ordinance. In 2006, all three groups supported a legislative bill that made Florida the first state to fully enforce Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) statewide.

“Florida is setting the trend for successful alarm management across the country,” says Stan Martin, executive director of SIAC. “We are proud to be part of this progressive movement and applaud our law enforcement partners in Florida as well as the [AAF] for taking this initiative.”

“By approving the Model Alarm Ordinance resolution, our board of directors passed a milestone for Florida law enforcement agencies looking to address the issue of alarm dispatches,” says Chief Nolan McLeod, Auburndale Police Department and president of the FPCA.. “We are moving in a positive direction and developing strong alarm management programs throughout the state.”

SIAC helped develop the ordinance as part of the FPCA’s new Alarm Management Committee. Four police chiefs and three members of the AAF also participated. The ordinance seeks to reduce false dispatches and the impact they have on police resources. Its key measures include:

  • Registration of alarm systems
  • An escalating fine structure for alarm abusers who carelessly allow for repeat false dispatches
  • Establishment of a system to accept the cancellation of alarms after accidental activations
  • Ending police response to alarm users who fail to pay fines and/or permit fees
  • An appeal process for people who disagree with fines or the cancellation of their police response
  • The use of equipment that meets new quality standards which help prevent false activations
  • The adoption of ECV
  • Establishing alarm awareness classes for the community

“We tried to build a relationship with Florida police executives for years,” says Bob Neely, AAF’s Executive Director. “The recent development of the Alarm Management Committee has finally facilitated that partnership. We now have a strong relationship and the Model Alarm Ordinance is the fruit of that labor.”

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters