PHOENIX — Every year police around the Valley respond to thousands of alarms from houses and businesses. Often when they arrive, no crime has been committed.
These are what you'd call a false alarm.
Some see these false alarms as time and money wasters. The City of Phoenix has a page on its website labeling it "The Million Dollar Problem."
Surprise City Council passed rules back in 2014 specifically to increase the requirements before an officer will respond. The ordinance requires alarm companies or owners to establish more certainty that criminal activity is probably present before calling for a police response.
The alarm company or the property owner can verify potential criminal activity through the following means:
- Audio or video surveillance
- An eyewitness
- Two separate zones activated and no response by the owner to alarm company calls.
- A verification from the owner to the alarm company that the alarm is valid.
On October 9, a subcommittee meeting of the Phoenix City Council focused, in part, on this very issue. Phoenix Executive Assistant Chief Mike Kurtenbach had numbers for the city in the fiscal year 2018 to 2019.
Kurtenbach said the Phoenix Police Department responded to 48,256 alarm calls, 986 resulted in the determination of a crime. Despite the numbers Kurtenbach expressed concern to changes in the current policy.
“My concern is that we would not respond to even one call that would be valid.” Kurtenbach said. “God forbid there is a suspect who entered the home and now is holding homeowners or residents against their will”
Currently, the city levies a penalty to homes or businesses with two or more false alarms in a 365 day period.
The city also has a two-tiered system when it comes to responding to alarm calls. Silent "panic" alarms and those resident alarms with verification are given top priority.