Police in Reno, Nev., stating only 1 percent of the 11,000 alarm calls the department received last year were actual burglaries, are proposing stricter rules and heavier fines for people who can’t keep their security systems under control.
Human error and equipment malfunction are the main culprits of false alarms, according to Commander Doug McPartland of the Reno Police Department. McPartland says false alarms are frustrating to officers, who could be responding to real emergencies.
A new city ordinance is being explored that would levy fines up to $200 for a false robbery or panic alarm. The ordinance would also require alarm users to have a permit and special training for their systems.
Local alarm companies are working with the police department as well to figure out the best way to curb the false alarm problem, according to officials.
Sparks, Nev., adopted a similar ordinance to the one being considered in Reno a few months ago, and so far, the city has experienced a significant decrease in the number of false alarms. Calls reportedly went down by 14 percent in March and 18 percent in April.
