Changes coming to alarm services bylaw

What it takes to bring Calgary police to the door when your security alarm is going off will soon change, and further changes are coming, revolving around permit, price tag and penalties.

The city’s alarm services bylaw will change May 15 in an effort to reduce police resources spent responding to false alarms.

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) says 96 per cent of the approximately 45 alarm calls it answers each day prove to be false.

The changes mean police officers will not be dispatched for alarm calls when only one alarm zone has been tripped. Also, alarm services will be required to contact two keyholders before units are dispatched to an address.

Officers will still respond to verified alarm activations, and there are no changes in how they handle panic, holdup or duress alarms, the Calgary Police Service said in a news release.

Sometime during the second half of 2016, police also will stop investigating if an alarm permit is suspended, non-existent or it’s within two weeks of installation.

Officers also won’t answer alarm calls at businesses during business hours.

CPS will also start charging a fee for alarm system permits and in June will recommend city council make changes to penalties charged to homes or businesses with repeated false alarms.

“It takes significant police resources to clear a call as a false alarm. These changes allow CPS to respond to legitimate public safety concern calls for service,” CPS said in the release.

“Without having to respond to false alarms, members of the Calgary Police Service will be available to respond to other calls.”

Police anticipate that Calgary will see improved call response times, with a focus on responses to valid alarm activations and priority calls, with no increased risk to the public.

Co-ordinator Alison Turgeon said it is expected there will be questions from the public as it adjusts to the new way of things, but ultimately this change is for the people.

“We’re going to be able to respond to more legitimate calls for public safety concerns, we’re going to be accountable to City of Calgary taxpayers for our resources and it really aligns us better with other police jurisdictions across North America with how they’re attending alarm calls,” Turgeon said.

Questions about the revised alarm services bylaw can be asked by calling 403-428-8336 or emailing alarmbylaw@calgarypolice.ca. dwood@postmedia.com