The Boulder Police Department has enabled residents to enroll in the online alarm prevention program. The class will provide information to alarm users about the problems created by false alarms and provide instruction on how to help reduce false alarms. In the city's discretion, an alarm user may be provided the option of attending a class in lieu of paying one assessed fine, not to exceed $100.00 in one twelve (12) month period. This course is entirely online and can be completed from any computer in about 30 minutes. It can be taken whether or not you have caused a false alarm.
Boulder Police Department Online Alarm School
What is a false alarm? The Boulder Alarm Ordinance defines a false alarm as: “the activation of an alarm system when, upon inspection by the city, evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or at the alarm location which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a false alarm shall neither include an alarm activated by unusually violent conditions of nature nor an alarm which is canceled before police personnel respond to the alarm location. Multiple alarms caused by a single technical malfunction in single alarm system for a period up to 12 hours shall constitute only one false alarm. Each 12-hour period shall constitute a new violation.”
Did you know that more than 80% of false alarms are caused by user error? There are easy steps you and your alarm dealer can take to prevent false alarms. False alarms present a serious threat to the effectiveness of our local police, fire and EMS departments, as well as to the safety of our residents. False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police officers from proactive crime prevention efforts and can divert public safety responses from true emergency calls.
The main causes of false alarms are:
- Unlocked or loose doors/ windows
- Children, Neighbors, and Visitors
- Cleaning Crews/ Repairmen/ Pet Sitters
- Pets or other wildlife
- User Error
- Equipment Malfunction
Before you activate your alarm system:
- Are you and others who use the security system fully educated on its proper operation? This may include domestic/cleaning crews, children, neighbors, caretakers, employees and temporary staff.
- Make sure you securely close and lock all protected doors and windows.
- When leaving your home or business make sure the door you leave through is closed tight.
- Keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters, etc. away from motion sensor areas.
- Know and rehearse the process to cancel an accidental alarm. Anyone with your key should know this process.
- Know how much time you have after you arm your system to leave and how much time you have to disarm your system when you enter.
Know what to do if you set your alarm off accidentally:
- First, don't panic. Carefully enter your disarm code to reset your system.
- Wait for your Alarm Company or central monitoring station to call, give your password or ID card number.
- Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring station! If they do not call you, have the number posted by your control panel and contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
- You can arrange to have your alarm monitoring station call you or another designated person first before the police are called whenever your alarm is activated.
- If you are aware of a problem with the system, you can cancel the police dispatch.
At home:
DO NOT call 911 to cancel alarm activations - you must call your monitoring station.
Avoid objects that trigger your alarm:
- Unlocked, loose fitting, or open doors or windows. Always keep doors and windows locked when the alarm is in an "ON" mode to reduce the chance that friends, neighbors or customers enter and cause the alarm to activate.
- Unsupervised pets - If you have pets, take special care to purchase an alarm system that is tolerant of pets. You may not want to purchase motion detectors if your pets have free run of the house when the alarm is on. Also, sometimes barking dogs can activate glass break detectors.
- Things that move can cause motion sensors to go off. Such as vents or drafts causing the curtains and plants to move.
At your business; Watch for these pitfalls that may activate your alarm:
- Swinging doors or windows
- Banners or signs
- Mylar balloons
- Plants or curtains caught in drafts
- Stacked items, such as boxes, which may fall, setting off motion detectors
- Unsupervised guests
- Untrained, unaware or uncaring employees
- Alarm equipment, such as motion sensors or overhead door magnets, being hit by forklifts
Contact your alarm company:
- If you plan any improvement or renovation projects, such as changing phone systems, reconfiguring a room, adding a wall, rearranging cubicles, installing skylights or ceiling fans, or even fumigating.
- If you plan to change your alarm system batteries. This can cause an interruption in your system’s power supply which may trigger an alarm activation.
- Also alert your alarm company if you hire domestic help or acquire a pet.
Review with your alarm company the procedures you expect them to follow when your alarm activates:
- Do you want them to attempt to call more than one person on your contact list before requesting emergency dispatch?
- Do you only want the police notified if exterior and interior zones are both activated?
- Put your instructions in writing.
With people:
Enhance your alarm system’s potential:
- Train responders with keys on complete system operation.
- Ensure that anyone authorized to use your alarm system is properly trained in its usage.
- Use dead bolt locks.
False alarms:
- Divert emergency resources away from true emergencies.
- Are a nuisance to you and your neighbors.
- Make your security system less reliable.
- Costs you and your community money.
Recommendations:
- Have a maintenance contract with a licensed alarm company and have your alarm system checked every year.
- If you are apprehensive about using your system, call your alarm company TODAY!
- Do your part to prevent false alarms.