Q. Do I have to register and pay for a permit?
A. Alarm Ordinance 2009-12 does not require a business or resident to pay for a permit, there is a questionnaire designed to simply provide information as to the location and person responsible for the alarm system. The information sheet will be available on-line and then can be mailed or faxed.
Q. What is a false Alarm?
A. A false alarm is an alarm dispatch request to a law enforcement agency, when the responding law enforcement officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after having completed a timely investigation of the alarm site. False alarms include activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his employees or agents that result in dispatch of law enforcement agency personnel. False alarms do not include alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires; telephone line trouble, water main breaks outside of the alarm site.
Q. If my alarm is activated falsely, but it wasn't my fault, am I still responsible?
A. Certain inclement weather and alarm system testing where Greenacres Department of Public Safety has been notified in advance will not be considered a false alarm. Alarms that are cancelled by the alarm monitoring company prior to an officer's response will also not be considered a false alarm. In all other false alarm activations, regardless of the reason, the alarms will be considered false and the party deemed responsible may be fined. That is why it is important to keep everyone who has access to your premise updated on your alarm's usage. If you feel that your alarm was falsely activated due to mechanical malfunction, you must contact your alarm company. The Greenacres Department of Public Safety cannot provide technical assistance or advice.
Q. What are the fines associated with excessive false alarms?
A.
DESCRIPTION |
FINE |
| First False Alarm |
Warning Only |
| Second False Alarm |
Warning Only |
| Third False Alarm |
$50 |
| Fourth False Alarm |
$60 |
| Fifth False Alarm |
$75 |
| Sixth thru Ninth False Alarms |
$100 |
| Tenth and all subsequent False Alarms |
$500 |
| Failure to submit alarm system inspection report after fourth false alarm |
$100 |
| False Alarm Caused by On-Site Alarm Company Employee |
$100 |
| Monitoring Company failure to verify |
$100 |
| False statement by alarm company employee |
$200 |
Q. Who/how do I pay for a false alarm fee?
A. Checks made out to the City of Greenacres may be mailed to:
City of Greenacres
Attention: Accounts Receivable
5800 Melaleuca Lane
Greenacres, FL 33463
Fees paid in person at City Hall may be made by check, money order, debit/credit card, or cash.
Q. Why does the City of Greenacres charge residents/merchants for false burglar alarms?
A. Alarm Ordinance No. 2009-12 was enacted for the sole purpose of reducing excessive false alarms. Due to the vast number of false alarms that occur due to improper use or defect, Greenacres Department of Public Safety commits countless work-hours and resources to answer these calls which results in slower response times to true emergencies and less time for proactive patrol.
Q. Does the City of Greenacres profit from the charging of alarm fines?
A. Revenue generated from false alarm fines is meant only to off-set the costs generated by false alarms and is not designed to generate revenues for the City.
Q. What if I switch alarm companies?
A. Call, mail, fax, or email Greenacres Department of Public Safety with the new alarm company information. |
