|
Updated: 1:36 AM Apr 24, 2008
Higher Fees For Alarm System Users?
Cops said more and more, their resources are being tied-up in answering false alarms.
Posted: 10:33 PM Apr 23, 2008Reporter: Lauri Martin Email Address: lmartin@kktv11news.com |
|
2 Comments 
When you are in the middle of a life-threatening emergency, how long do you think it will take Springs Police to get to you? Right now, it’s about 10 minutes on average. Cops said more and more, their resources are being tied-up in answering false alarms.
Wednesday night, police spoke at a meeting about changing the city ordinance. They want tougher rules on homeowners and businesses whose alarms go off, but when police respond, there's no emergency.
The proposed ordinance could mean steaper fines and implementing a yearly fee for all alarm users.
Police would also stop responding to every alarm. "It’s called Enhanced Call Verification. That would require alarm companies to call two numbers, like your home and your cell to verify if you want police to respond. If it’s a false alarm, it saves the user from a fee and it saves the officer from having to respond," said Deputy Chief Ron Gibson with Springs Police.
City Council has to approve this ordinance. That could happen sometime in June.
The last time the city cracked down on false alarms, police saw a 50 percent drop.
Latest Comments
Absolutely lets make sure the officers can get out there so Colorado Springs maintains its number 2 spot on the top speed traps in America, instead of going to potential robbery's. The city needs to stop treating officers as glorified tax collectors. http://www.mmdnewswire.com/top-speed-trps-in-the-u.s.a-1655-2.html http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-11-20-worst-speed-traps_N.htm
In order to help curb the costs of alarm monitoring, after your monitoring contract expires, consider switching your monitoring service over to a company called NEXTALARM. Alarm Monitoring is all they do, and they only charge $14.95/month vs. the $30-40 that ADT and others may charge for monitoring services. I switched six years ago and have never looked back. They are a UL Listed provider and most existing alarm systems can be converted with a phone call. They walk you through programming the system over the phone! To switch or to get more info: http://www.nextalarm.com/servlets/nextalarm?a=r&i=1004
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| National News - CBSnews.com |
|
