91-1899 �.
�� ����� . � ' �� �� �i Council File # �'��7 � �
� ` � �
Ordinance # 7 0
Green Sheet #` /��'2�
ORDINANCE
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
` , .
P sented By
Referred To ; -ts oy�c�,v�, Committee: Date �0 � �" ��
.
An ordinance amending Chapter 329 of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code reducing the expenses and risks associated
with false alarms.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CTTY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1
Section 329.05(B)(2)(b) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"(b) Additional fee for late application. A �3 ��� charge will be added to the
fees provided herein for any alarm system�user who fails to obtain an
alarm system user permit within 60 days after the effective date of this
section, or who is more than 60 days delinquent in renewing an alarm
system user permit."
Section 2
Section 329.05(B)(4) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
"(4) Issuance of permit; . Upon approval by the
license inspector of an initial or renewal application and payment of the
required fees, the license inspector shall issue a permit and send a-eap}r-e€
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Section 3
Section 329.05(C)(2) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
(2) , .
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Section 4
This ordinance will take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and
publication.
ea Navs Absent Requested b epartment of:
smon
swit �
on
�T cca ee �"`
e ma
une
on By: ll%1�.
p y 0 CT 2 9 1991` Form Approved by City Attorney
Ado ted b Council: Date
Adoption Ce fie by Councik e retary gy: l��ilNV �t/• / � �� 'q�
�
�._-�r� f� � �.'� �
By' � Approved by Mayor for Submission to
Approved by May��r: Date ��T � i. � �� Council
����ti�� w�/����i/
By s ,/ By:
PUeUSNEO NOU �'91
�y,��s ,i
DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/C UNCIL DATE INITIATED
Financ - l.icense & Permit 9 9 91 GREEN SHEET N°• - 14528
CONTACT PERSON&PHONE:< DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR NITIAL/DATE �CITY COUNCIL INITIAUDATE
Robert Kessler 29�-5056 NUMIBERFOR CITYATTORNEY OCITYCLERK
MUST BE ON COUNCIL AOENDA BY(DATE) ROUTING �BUDGET DIRECTOR �FIN.&MQT.SERVICES DIR.
OiiDER �MAYOR(OR ASSISTAN'n �
TOTAL#OF SIGNATURE PAGES 1 (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve an ordinance amending Chapter 329 of the Legislative Code pertaining to
alarm devices and false alarm fines.
RECOMMENDATIONS:Approve(A)or Reject(R) PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
_PLANNING COMMISSION _CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 1• Has this person/firm ever worked under a contract for this department?
_CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO
2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee7
_STAFF _
YES NO
_ DISTRICT COURT — 3. Does this erson/firm
p possess a skill not normally possessed by any current city empioyee?
SUPPORTS WHICH COUNCIL OB,IECTIVE7 YES NO
Explaln all yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet
INITIATING PROBLEM,ISSUE,OPPORTUNITY(Who,What,When,Where,Why):
The Police Department responds to ov�r 600 false alarm burglar calls per month.
This is an inefficient use of police services. The current fine for false
�, alarms is not a great enough deterrent for alarm system owners to reduce false
alarms. The fine is the same -- $10.00 --for the third false alarm as it is for
the tenth false alarm.
ADVANTACiES IF APPROVED:
Alarm system owners will have to use their systems more responsibly or risk paying
more for false alarms. Thus there is a great likelihood of a reduction in
the number of false alarms, This will free up police availability in our
neighborhoods.
OISADVANTAOE3 IF APPROVED:
Alarm system owners who experience many false alarms will pay higher fines.
RECEIVE�
RECEIVED S�p 2 3 19�1
SEP 3 0 1991 �uui�� i���ac;�
DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED:
The number of false alarms will not be reduced. This will continue to drain
police resources and adversely affect the service and protection provided
to our neighborhoods.
GQ�a�c�! Res�arch Center
SEP 2 6 1991
TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S � COST/REVENUE BUDGETEp(CIRCLE ONE) YES NO
FUNDING SOURCE ACTIVITY NUMBER 31355
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:(EXPLAIN) d�
I f the nurr:t�e�^ p�' ��1 se al�rms i� reduced s i n i f'
NOTE: COMPLETE DIRECTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GREEN SHEET INSTRUCTIONAL
MANUAL AVAILABLE IN THE PURCHASING OFFICE(PHONE NO. 298-4225).
ROUTING ORDER:
Below are correct routings for the five most frequent rypes of documents:
CONTRACTS(assumes authorized budget exists) COUNCIL RESOLUTION(Amend Budgets/Accept. Grants)
1. Outside Agency 1. Department Director
2. Department Director 2. City Attorney
3. City Attorney 3. Budget Director
4. Mayor(for contracts over$15,000) 4. Mayor/Assistant
5. Human Rights(for contracts over$50,000) 5. City Council
6. Financ�and Management Services Director 6. Chief Accountant, Finance and Management Services
7. Finance Accounting '
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS(Budget Revision) COUNCIL RESOLUTION (all others, and Ordinances)
1. Activity Manager 1. Department Director
2. Department Accountant 2. City Attorney
3. Department Director 3. Mayor Assistant
4. Budget Director 4. Ciry Council
5. Ciry Clerk
6. Chief Accountant, Finance and Management Services
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS(all others)
1. Department Director
2. Ciry Attorney
3. Finance and Management Services Director
4. City Clerk
TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNATURE PAGES
Indicate the#of pages on which signatures are required and paperclip or flag
each of these pages.
ACTION REQUESTED
Describe what the projecUrequest seeks to accomplish in either chronologi-
cal order or order of importance,whichever is most appropriate for the
issue. Do not write complete sentences. Begin each item in your list with
a verb.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Complete if the issue in questfon has been presented before any body,public
or private.
SUPPORTS WHICH COUNCIL OBJECTIVE?
Indicate which Council objective(s)your projecUrequest supports by listing
the key word(s)(HOUSING, RECREATION, NEIGHBORHOODS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
BUDGET, SEWER SEPARA'TION). (SEE COMPLETE LIST IN INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL.)
PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS:
This information will be used to determine the city's liability for workers compensation claims,taxes and proper civil service hiring rules.
INITIATING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNITY
Explain the situation or conditions that created a need for your project
or request.
ADVANTAGES IF APPROVED
Indicate whether this is simply an annual budget procedure required by Iaw/
charter or whether there are specific ways in which the City of Saint Paul
and its citizens will benefit from this projecUaction.
DISADVANTAGES IF APPROVED
What negative effects or major changes to existing or past processes might
this projecUrequest produce if it is passed (e.g.,traffic delays, noise,
tax increases or assessments)?To Whom?When?For how long?
DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED
What will be the negative consequences if the promised action is not
approved? Inability to deliver service?Continued high traffic, noise,
accident rate?Loss of revenue?
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Although you must tailor the information you provide here to the issue you
are addressing, in general you must answer two questions:How much is it
going to cost?Who is going to pay?
� � � , qi - i�9q �
HUMAN SERVICES, REGULATED INDUSTRIES, AND RULES AND POLICY COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE REPORT - � 9, 1991
PAGE TWO �Gt
4. Ordinance 9�ame�c�ing Chapter 329 of the Legislative Code pertaining to alarm
devices and false alarm devices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, 3-0, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLIC
WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE, AND THAT THE LICENSE DIVISION
WILL LOOK AT ESTABLISHING A ONE-TIME FEE FOR ALARM SYSTEMS
5. Resolution 91-1826 - approving requests for presentations from interested
parties and City staff regarding riverboat gaming in Saint Paul (Referred
from Council 9-26-91; Initial Presentation - pending staff response) .
THIS ISSUE WAS LAID OVER TO THE NEXT POSSIBLE HUMAN SERVICES, REGULATED
INDUSTRIES, AND RULES AND POLICY COMMITTEE AGENDA (OCTOBER 23, 1991, OR
NOVEMBER 13, 1991)
6. Ordinance - amending Chapter 360 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code relating
to fees in certain cases.
THIS ISSUE WAS LAID OVER �
. Resolution 91-1856 - approving disbursement of proceeds from Charitable
Gambling to eligible community based non-profit youth servicing
organizations as listed (Referred from Council 10-3-91) .
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, 3-0
chr
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(4f R'�:nCCLPI'fON.j tbl�mits. Newi/h the n�etlwtfa�oI
Couodl File No. d4-Y7� — ONioaaca No. W (AJIMTAL FEL.I T!w aanwl !ee tbe �udlble aanuadaWr ava m
;11N—HY Johe Dew— teq��ed Is il0 tor e� pe�. vaem s�etem.a s�l vhl�omfn
Aa o�yyowo pertainia�to�la�m devfee Additim�l fee� m�� be eepuirad moie th�s twlce in a ao�6our
md licmfs�nd D«mits cheeetor,�mmdin� undQ eb�Dmvitloos ot Subdiv� p�riad:or
t�apvr 32f oI the S�int Paul LpaLtfw 3,dause tZ1. ld tipuL�tdw alamt
Cod�. (bl(ADD!lIONAL FEL FOR LAlE �i� (ADDf[SONAL FEL3: CAtJ3! !'08
Rfe Couecll o!tb�Citr ot S�int P�ul Dos App[SCATION.)A f2S eh�rse�Ul BEypCAl"IOP OF PERYi'f.l Ao7
Oiy�; b�added to cbe!ea provided hen�► y�pq 1q��p�ia violatlon ot tbis
tor ao�datm�sum u�er weo lafb subdivision shaLL be billed w�ddiqao�l
W ohhin aa �lum srrtem uav fee ot i10 by the licm�e inap�ceor for '
permit aithin e0 day� aRer the e�eA oeeurnace, vhic6 fee ma�.
SDCPSON S e[f�cMre date of this sectlm.or wM dternativelr. be coliatad b� �ddfo�
4 moie thao 80 d�fs d�linqwnt fa w�h�ddlttoo�l!ee oe tee�W th�aoou�!
CL�dr 3Z!ot t�e Safnt P�ul Iw�is4tive ime�io� an alaem s�stem uaer � � y� ��� at the Nm� ot
Cod�.�s am�ed�d.M mA eht�me b heteD� ptembt. �y�tipefaa for noew�l ot th� al�em
�e�br�����pp1O�u fc! (t7CCEPTION.)Aa alar:n srst�a uaer permit. Ho�ever, upoc th•
foUo�c uav�Ierh b a politlal wbdivisio� �of th�lowtti latw ai�em Lem
32Y.06. [ALARII DLrVICLR FOR POLICZ ot We Ied�nt or sutc twermi�et. �alarm�fst�Deimitted undrs thfi
CAL.L4.1 imludin�We dt�.ah�ll b�sub�sK to aedion. tbe Ikens� iospeetor ahaA
Suedl�ion 1. (DL!'fN!!'lONS.j For t!r the ptmisbos of this s�etfoa bst eommeace rovocadon proeeedin�s
yuepow o1 tbis a�etiac.tbe tollo�vfn��ordr �hall be etmipted tmm sll fee i�mediatelr punuaat W sctlan J10.OS.
and 0���aU haw th�mrniaP set fortb re9ui�mmmts hera�mder.
10 tLls wbdtvidon�t whae ebt caot�t t� (APPLICATION; AEQUIRLDIEtIl'S.) S1�fION]
eluel7 indk�tr that a dltte�t mroiut Is An7 W+soe.coepor�tfaa.or oehar mt[t�
lat�d�d vW�f�M [or m �L�m srrt� u�er lbis adfn�oae shall Dt daamad a p�t ot tbe
(1) (ALAR1r PL1ql!!.1 ••w� D�*m►�•• p��mlt se�ll supplr to the liaeme �t Awl I.a�sl�uve Code aod �WII bt
mror � pamft fowd b7 ehe �oew inq�ewr,m a focm W be prwidad.tLe �D���tLeiein�nd pvm an�ppeoprlaL
in�etar w W o�ner or oth�r penm (oLLoviat ioloenatios ����,��a..e taw.a�oda�
la aontTO! of a Sufldlei. steuctut�. �al 'Ibe n�ma addces. aod telapho�e
pm�ert�.or�p�R ebn�of.lowudln numbs ot Ne�ppliont: SECIlON�
th�dt� �Eo has leued.Wtehaod.or (b) The N+ce wAen the�laim a7� '1L1s oadfnaoa shW taYe eflsR and M in
othe�fa poo�wa an�larm�st�m tor aill be iasull�d aod mainnlae�
toioe 30 d�Ys alter ib ws�+ta.pp�nv�l asd
u�os W P�miva c, 1'he btfnd name ot the alarm pubifeatloe.
(A (Ai.ARY SYS'i'E1[.l "�ium q+um" s7s��:
m�o� ao� aaMmblf o! e'4uipm�ot or (d. The t�pe at �lamt system beia{ SLCITON S
derien, elther meehaaicall� or ��.�d '�e yiwiaions a1�eetlom 7ZiA1 theou�
datrin►1� ��vd• whkh ss�oaL. 3=l.00 �Ir!! �pite on June SU. 19N ual�
MtAer audlbll or in m7 a�+��� (d A liat ot cEe n�md and teleplw�e aq�a p��y�p b�th�dtf apyy3L
�s te b� a�n. buN. or otber�is� numban ot thou Pesons who Iwe
ddattl wtnM t� peouet�d a� che �billt� to matro! ehe alu� A��b7 tbe Couoei!Hw�mber IQ 19M.
�nt�d h the d�em �f�. th�t a s�am. to peovide tor 2�ha� Yrs—Couetilme Dieo.Fl�n4 1[��ns.
�4.�+iV+1.�d M v�ndallm�.or da7�wiLbtllt�. NkoifR Se�tlbd.Tedeswo.W11son—7.
oth�e�mwtboels�d eati7 h�s aantrled. (p A d�d�ntfoc that tl�e�laem sfspm N�p—0.
�oi�Al�ts lated�d to aamm poUee doa�aot uttlfu an�utomatie dl�lfe[ ApOte�d Nov�mper 21.19N.
�po�. deviae0�[��to requert polia GEORGE LATDISR
(A (ANNUNCIATOR.1 "Aanunefator" �'��• UIa7o�
mro�tAe lnswmen4llt�ia or ao ehp (41 (ISSVANCE Of PERIQT. COPY 'PO �p�ber 1.19141
p�fs� of ao alum spstem tLmu� POLICZ DEPAA?21EN'C.) Upoe
�Aieb vWal.audiple.aad/or daetmek approvd b7 the Iicmae imD�or d m
�b oo�auniot�W an7 D��aoo. in►tial or renewal applie�tion �od
(4l ITALSL ALAR1l.l"F�Is��laem"msn� W7�mt ot the cequired feea.the tic�me
eb. ,�n..aan ot .e .i.� �s++� �v�a�s.0 j..,x.o�cc ma�a. ORDINANCE �'I�tDMFNI'
tblau�int�otloaal miaua�machaobl caP7 of the peimit�nd aP011ndoa to the
tailure or maltunetloa: improper crime p�eventlon unit o[ ths pdior
lnstail�tfoc. mafntsn�nee. or departmmt
apr�hlm: or the ne{L�'ac� af tLt fSl (DEMALOFPERlIIT.lIatheev�attee �n orasn.nc. ..«r�zno:�a,n.ne� no. i�iec.
o�sv or penan ia eontml ol the Ifamse ispator dete�mfao that t!e ==COy o�l�ls.ne P�«.9i�s.yui.ci.�coa.•r
pt�iao on vtiich t�e�1a�s�stem is �PY11eaWe for Lnst, issuaoc�, or .,�t�a ey en�cier coW,c.i on nw..eer :o.
rm�wal does not meet all t�e is+.. o.e�+v+1+a eo.i•rv a..ie...�w
placed �nd �hieh is tatended to iia«w..na vr*1u en.r.ror. ,�w +..�wi�
�ua�moos a poli�e a�ponr. 'Ihe 4�m �YW�'��v ot lan.or if th�faW��. S�atim 329.0]. SuOd. 7(17.
dos not iaclude �lareu n�wd b� �� �� t}O°� ��� �� �� *�a camczc w na cin or s�crn v�uc ooes 011DA2N:
t1Od! t�at tbt d�fm s7rt� �Od lfi s�ec�on i.
utilit�Iln�malluoetioos,to�ee majeun. �t�����tibl�witti th�
or ocher eonditioos vhieh �re cis�l�
cmmuoi0ttm e4yjVm�t ot tht polet rn.e orain.ne. ne. ��isc. ��ouncit Fil. ec-ss�. .aevew ev
bepond the conttol o(the alatm uae�. ct� csw cwruu on ne�«w•r :o. :ssa, �a w,icm m�MGp caaou�
(5) (AQTONA'fIC DULING DEVICL.) d�m�� or wouid be Ilkel� �O yaa o[ en� s�snc v��♦ �wa.t.ci�. '�a� ena uuotunw • v.n.ic
intt[1fle �fth tht �O1�1 ut! 0/ td �v�e� [or �1M a�vice� [or polau c��:s u+a provtaw p�n�leies
••AYtOfIl�tjG d►�lios deviee" me�m • ct�ere[or. b� rW cM aam� ta hsreeY ��na�a sOrevtston��ofLS�etion
devi�e vAich utllius the publie primary department's eommunle�tlon s en.r.or. .eien s.eeLOn s v+�taw cn.e ;n.
4lephone Wnk linas or other dedSnted �OwOmst or�ould impoae�nl�m �t9.o1 :hr°+a^s.eeion saa.as sn.ti exo.n«+�„n. 3a. ises uni�s.
eMewW�C or �eeW u0en ey cti� CSCY '�owell. eM lnCent o[ cnla
tbt t.tb�fbeiOSpaetae7�1 reoNistw orain�ne� ta ce ceneinu. tn :ores �r.a e[twt s�etiona
Ilnd W seleet � predetenained or ����1 � tol]pw t�e zas.oi�ro�qn sta.os ot en. s.3nc aa�i �ws+i.ea�.coaa_
assi�ned telephone number and vhieh p�����p���ap 110.�. s.�non :.
�r�ntmfts, bp a pre-eemrdad voiee �� ��n• .TO � ���ym,� � m.c s.acw+ S29.o5. SuDaiviaaon se:i or en� s�ine n.ut
mem�e or code si�nal,to the Sunt Paul
�',� d �`� � � �u7 �� I.p►at�eiw cee�w u�a ta nmey aenw�a to rew u tellao:
lp�R211Q1t • [Rtlf�{! tbat !0
ineidatt a! eh� kind noted ia the �Y°o � P+'�s° �A�n � �V� t:i �eaeaan.t t«: erw rer r�voe�caon oe a.ewie.
de!laitlon ot '•�lacro srstem" 6as b�•������w """o"''O1 rw.a eo w in+to►.cion ot en►. ,�,eas�n.im
�m sn� e� a r�rnt ro� cn� tine�ot ua• .reet
�t�. �_'��QtMOr��d�N i vt0 �G' YN OL N
ar�fLblt fo[�b1��� e r o ey cn� cw� uup�ssa� te�.�en
Subd. 2. (AI.AR1i SYSfb2l USER'S ���. +� t«.�y, .�c.n+.uwar. w
in�paltoe ewl�os.�st.�++�0 wm.snaeiart t.�x rw�
PEjp(p]'.� m w srt tw w w eeu.oe�a.e ea�esr ee
(1) IPEft1[ff RCQUIRtD; 1ZRll. U ��'i(�'���:NUTRANCLI �aauaan tx��nw�a o[ en�at�ew ua�r o�rwat.
t �0° (p (WHL1C NULIAIIC�1 It �Wt be a �•r. w.w en. aiotiu�o or en. COYtN C�1M
th�dlasiw daa o!tLfs e�etioo,er� •1�i+ns a.1�es�v.c�o•n.►ce.a wa�r cnu
�la�m sfrt�u�n ah�l►obWn.tor e�cb D�tie auirana� ix a�7 0� 4 ;,,�.ei•■�ve+e ti.a�iw. i�.a°i.e.�ir+aw.��•ne��
�I�em s�rtem.apPeovd trom the lieew �nWaor6ave�Ob7��� s.ecim�io.os.
inf�elo� tor m �lana s�atan uan °�������� s.eeion s.
pwmit A pamlt�ho�swd shaU b� (al emfb bs ao�udlele�mued�qr d
n,ss e'unr�a• .nul e.r. .rr.ee r�a e. te roee• nure�.
v�lid tor me 7e�r�nd must be reee�ed m aWm slst�o a sfpul o[aw� ww trs.�.ta� ic� a.�.w•. .aoew.i .na oueuweion.
b� the �laim rystem user a� reu tAu 20 mioute�' eoetlsuNs
ehe�nK. duntloe;or
. � . � �. � �9�.-��a�
�;°`�"�°�;'�a,
��4 :'��
�e �. ��
f o� a n ti;
r• �� �° i a �:.
a�
^.• Y Q�p A
. .`•� 'h� �'r
S � ' ��,�'�s�y+'"
5 M'', 'vL...
�� . .t�ss
`�`' CITY OF SAINT PAUL �
BUDGET OFFICE �
Interdepartmental Memarandum
June 17, 1991
TO: John Regal
FROM: Barbara Jeanetta�,�,��'��
�
RE: False Alarm Fees
Attached is documentation of some research I asked one of our interns to do. Butch
Swintek had suggested in a conversation that our fatse alarm fees were pitifully below
suburban municipalities. After talking with you, and hearing that the License Division _
already has some#hing in progress to change the burglar alarm permitting and fine
process, I thought I should just forward a copy of Amelious's work to you. I think you
will find it helpfull in establishing justifiable alarm fines in St. Paul. Ptease keep
Amelious or I informed of your progress. We'd appreciate a draft of your proposal
when it becomes available.
cc: A. Whyte
1
� �n
.;� . , _
� �,.�,;..
,
� �
. �l ,���
::O-:
C1TY OF SAINT PAUL
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Barb Jeanetta
FROM: Amelious Whyte�`��-
DATE: June 14, 1991
RE: False Alarm Fees
Below are the rates that selected cities charge to respond to false
burglar alarms. In most cases everyone starts the calendar year
with a clean slate of no false alarms. In addition most cities do
not charge for false alarms related to power outages or storms.
Apple Valley- 4 free, $20. 00 for the 5th and $50. 00 thereafter
Anoka- No Charge
Bloominqton- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th and an additional $25. 00
for each one thereafter (�75.00, $100. 00, etc. . . )
Coon Rapids- 3 free, $27. 00 for the 4th and 5th, $55.00 for the 6th
-9th and $110. 00 for any above ten
Eden Prairie- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th -lOth, $100. 00 for the
llth-15th, $150. 00 for any above 16
Edina- 2 free, $75. 00 thereafter
Golden Valley- 3 free, $50. 00 thereafter
Hastinqs- No Charge
Inver Grove 8eiqhts- 5 free, $100.00 thereafter
Minneapolis- 4 free, $59. 00 for the 5th, $89.00 for the 6th, $119
for the 7th and $238 . 0o thereafter
, , . . . . � , �����>�a9
°�:: �/
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
INTERDEPARTMENTAI MEMORANDUM
Minnetonka- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th, an additional $25.00 �
for each one thereafter ($75.00, $100.00 etc. . . )
Rosenille- 3 free, $75.00 for the 4th and an additional $25. 00 for
each one thereafter ($100.00, $125. 00, etc. . . )
St. Louis Park- 3 free, $50.00 for the 4th and an additional
increment for each one thereafter
. � �,�ll--l�R�
Verification Program heips �'oronto
Win the War Against Faise Alarms
Toronto District Forms Triad With Polrce and Customers
hey're annoying, Operations
time-consuming, Manages Hugh
demoralizing and A�, �r Dean,le�t,and
frustrating. They �� �' �. ' �`�.-.. Regional Gene�al
can cause a rapid ��= Mana er Paui
� ..u�
� '�=� '`� � s
decline in relations ! .` �•�>�
with customers, Robertson,
police and fire officials. They �� Cenrial and
��
can contribute to alarm com-
��' '� �' � � �� �� Western Ontario,
pany discontinuance rates. are working
They cost taxpayers money. , ��� closely with thei�
And they can endanger lives. loca[potice
False alarms have long departments and
been the bane of the alarm customers to
industry, often ectipsing the dramarically
good work being done to help reduce false
protect businesses alar►re rates.
and homes, lives
� and property. The
We wanted to false alarm rate
know where a has continued to
escalate, keeping
customer stood pace with the ever-
increasing number and money spent on chasing In that same year, Hugh Dean,
at any given of electronic securi- down false alarms and the currently Branch Operations
moment. ty system owners. problem false alarms pose to Manager, was also brought on
In earlier years, people in actual need of hefp. board to handle the customer
� the alarm industry's Additionally, after answering service area.
technology shoul- a series of false alarm calls, At that time one person was
dered a considerable portion of police can become psycho- dedicated to handling the
the blame for the problem. But Iogically "disarmed" and less War on False Alarms(WOFA).
technologies have been refined prepared when confronting "Then we got even more seri-
and upgraded. They're sleeker real burglaries. ous about it," said Dean, who
and smarter. But despite the Back in 1988, at an annual added three more associates to
progress in technology, the Central Station Alarm Associa- his WOFA Department. At first,
false alarm rate has continued tion (CSAA) converrtion, Les Dean recalled, they were only
to escalate. Brualdi, President and Chief putting out forest fires, reacting
Executive Officer,ADT Security to events instead of being
Customer Error Is Key Cause Systems,warned members proactive. They realized they
Research indicates that it is not about the negative e�fects af needed to heighten customer
technology, but customer error false alarms. There he issued awareness about false alarms.
which is the primary cause of a challenge for everyone ta
the false alarm problem. Alarm adopt a"zero defect" mentality Alarm Activity Analysis
companies which don't thor- on false alarms. The goal A supervisor analyzed their
oughly educate their customers should be for every alarm false alarm activity and software
and customers who are care- company to strive to etiminate was developed to receive and
less and lax about system false alarms comptetely. sort all that data. "We wanted
operations are both to blame. Paul Robertson, Regional to know where a customer
But police care little about General Manager, Central and stood at any given mament,"
whose fault it is when they are Western Ontario,ADT Canada, said Dean.
repeatedly answering false had been wrestling with the The job of the WOFA coordi-
alarm calls. false alarm problem since he nator, explained Bill Gelinas,
What they do care about is became a general manager in Customer Service Manager,
the waste of time, manpower January of 1984. is to be both an analyst and
�
8
���i��R
t,^,a._ - � that were imposed on delin-
.. quent customers as a user
�' tax. "Customers felt that once
, �°�-'-�---.._ � � � fines had been paid, they
- - were entitled to police service
again. Something more strin-
-r�°' gent was needed." �
�,,, The Peel police had been �
noticing a sharply rising alarm
�"��-� � ��:� � rate in their area—an area
�� "� which was slated for signi�icant
_ . growth both commercially and
..
,.�..
°^� , residentially. That meant even
� "` • higher false alarm rates in the
: _� ' future with no additional growth
,;.. . . .
in the police department to
, .�„r--�,
--_ support them.
� ��w � � ��� Verificati�on Policy Disc�ssed
wOFA Coordinators, communicator. "A coordinator trying to reduce their false Something had to be done.
le�t to right,Terri lets the customer know that alarm rate. Some police The Peel police held a sym-
there's a roblem that has to de artments deal with the posium of interested parties,
Rowe,Zina Schardt, p p including police chiefs and
and Ceri Rutland be solved. It means being problem by levying fines on alarm company represent�-
have been proact�ve Proactive and aggressive in those residents or business tives. Dean and a WOFA data
in helping customers solving problems and dealing owners who have too many supervisor attended that meet-
with the police more closely." false alarms.
solve problems. ing where Peel police spake
In some big cities, police about instituting a new alarm
Serious Issue for Police departments can just suspend verification policy.
Because the false alarm issue police response to notorious At that meeting, the Peel
also poses serious problems 'at fault' alarm customers. In police revealed that 17-25 per-
tor law enforcement officials, New York City, for instance,
many police departments are there are approximateiy 220,000 cent of their budget was being
also taking proactive stands in systems which are cut off on a consumed by false alarm calls.
recurring basis, Dean said. Of the total number of afarms
Police in the received within a year, 99.4
Peel Regional percent of them
Police Depart- � were false,
ment, located police noted.
� � It hel ed sort out the The verifica-
just outside p
� Toronto, indus trit0 fZUO tion policy was
���Q°��� Canada, de- � placed intoeffect
�9 cided to take ktridS O f alariri in January �989
a strong stand. by the enaciment
FALSE ALARMS The timing was companies: the ones of an admin�stra-
right and in that sell hardware tive reguiation
early 1989, by the police.
the interests and monitor it and The policy said
� of the TorontQ the others who care. that "after a total
ADT District of four`at faulY
r and those � alarms witttin one
of the Peel year, poGce
Police coalesced in a common response to such calls is sus-
�, pended for one year." "At fa�lt"
i, \ cause: faise alarm reduction. alarms are defined as those
In December of 1988 caused by equipment mal�unc-
Robertson had reduced his tion or customer negligence.
rate to 1.3 faise alarms per Peel also stipulated that alarm
system per year. But he was companies must verify alarms
searching for a way to bring by telephoning the customer's
his rate down even further. premises—or others on
`The 80-20 rule applied," he
explained. "Twenty percent of the call list—before police
the customers were causing are dispatched.
���.0�� 'A�' ��,��E� 80 percent of the problems." The police, Dean explained,
Robertson described the fines felt that most ADT alarm
�
9
. � � ���-��49
probiems within their control. The Peel program, in fact,
"A lot of customers totaily was so successful that the
ADT FALSE ALARM POLICY ignore their part in reducing Metro Toronto Police Depart-
Irt December ADTs Industry Relations false alarms. It's difficult to get ment followed suit, and in
:r Team created:a company policy on false. through to a customer who January 1990, adopted a simi-
doesn't want to be a partner. lar policy on false alarms.
z alarms that describes what AOT believes is There are some who don't want
"tkie optimum way to comt�at false alarms. to share the commitmertt," said Coope�ative Triad .
=ADT helieves that: Gelinas. "ThaYs why the Peel Robertson is excited about
Program was so important. the results of the Peel Program
��,� False alarms�tie up resources�r endanger Before they weren't as worried �d believes the true answer
��.,� lives and reduce the ability ta:respond;ta about false alarms." to dramatic false alarm reduc-
.���
real emergencies.. Said Dean, "It helped sort tion lies in the cooperative triad
�..A solution to the faise�alarm�problem can out the industry into two kinds of ADT, police and customers.
only b�e attained thcough the responsible of alarm companies:the ones Only with all three working
cooperation of the customer;the police that sell hardware and monitor together, each proactive and
-` and the alarm monitorirtg,company. it and the others who care." responsible, can the answers
'3: Alarrrr permits and:false alarm fines:alon�° be found.
will notsignificantly reduce false alarms. Credibility with Police In 1989 Robertson calculat-
"We anatyzed our false alarm ed that there were 1.53 false
4.. Telephone verification of alarms before problem comprehensively. alarms per premise per year
dispatching the-police is a proven method We talked to customers.We and .94 false alarms per sys-
of reducing false alarms and should be came up with technology tem, per year in his district.
required by police:.(The Peel Regional solutions. We upgraded sys- In the month of December,
Police found that this was a crucial factor tems and retrained customers," the number of false alarms
: in the success ofi its policy.) said Dean. "But the big differ- was down 40 percent from
5. Suspension of police response for one ence is we now have a rapport the previous year.
year after four"atfault"false alarms in one and credibiliry with the Peel "General managers must get
year's time is a necessary requirement of police. We have not burdened involved with the law enforcers
any police�policy, ancrAQTwiU support it them and we have a gaod to begin the triad," Robertson
�; working relationship." exptained.
:6_ Promptre-instatementof police response. Inspector Jim Simpson, Customers, Robertson said,
r� after suspensiorr must be passible after of the Peel Regional Police were becoming more responsi-
�° the alarm monitoringcompany and-the Department, speaks highly ble. "IYs really starting to show
custorner certify that corrective action— of the relationship between his us results in the marketplace as
suct�as�repair of malfunctioning police force well. We're get-
equipment or improved customer and ADT. He ting requests
education—has been taken: even agreed to � from customers
be interviewed ' g g ADT s st m
by ADT on We re ettin y
owners would not be affected videotape requests ff'Om because of our
by the new policy, only the about the false reputation. But
worst offenders. alarm problem, CuStOrit¢YS t0 g0 if you can't get
At first ADT's response, his Peel pro- with an ADT Your police
typical of many alarm compa- gram and his department to
nies, was one of reluctance. positive inter- Si{Stem beCauSe O f support you, it
There was concern about action with our reputation. lust won't work."
customer resistance. ADT. During Tony Fague,
But the ADT Toronto District that inter- � Director, lndustry
soon became a proponent of view, Simpson lRefations, ADT
the Peel policy. The initial time, describes ADT as a`good Security Systems, advises
effort, and retraining, along with corporate citizen." ADT managers to begin
police support, began to pay Simpson said thatwhen he dialogues with their local police
off handsomely in significantly needed input from an alarm departments, asking police
diminished false alarm rates. company, he turned to ADT to support and mandate
In assessing the false alarm associates and asked them verification programs.
problem, the Toronto District for their opinion. The Peel "ADT as the industry leader
determined that there were Police have their own employee should get out in front of the
several predominant contribut- dedicated to tracking and crowd and promote the reduc-
ing factors. One was older sys- logging all false aiarm activity. tion of false alarms through
tems. Another was turnover in Simpson has been pleased ADT's new faise alarm policy.
customer personnel. And a with the ever-diminishing false Such actions should result in
third involved customers who alarm statistics. improved reiations with both
didn't take responsibiliry for police and customers."�
�
10
, � . . ,� `��1�`�9/
iO'' v,.
CITY OF SAINT PAUI
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
September 10, 1991
TO: Councilmember Paula Maccabee, Chair
Human Services, Regulated Industries, Rules and Policy Committee
t�
FROM: Robert Kessler, John Rega�
License and Permit Division
RE: Revision of Alarm Permit Ordinance
�sue
The Police Department still responds to over 600 "false alarm" burglar calls per month.
This is an inefficient use of police services. The time spent responding to false alarms can
better be used to protect the citizenry.
Background
Since 1985, an ordinance has been in effect which requires all commercial and residential
owners of burglar alarm systems in St. Paul to obtain a permit from the City (Chapter 329
of the Legislative Code).
Generally speaking, the ordinance has been effective. We now have 5000 records on file
of current owners of burglar alann systems. Information such as the owner's name, type of
system, and alternate keyholders is readily available to the police dispatcher to provide to
the patrol unit(s). Each one of these owners is required to apply for a permit. The annual
fee is $10.
However, the other section of the ordinance has not been totally effective in reducing the
number of false alarms. Each owner is granted one free false alarm per year. The owner
is billed $10 for each false alarm thereafter.
An alarm ca11 is the second lughest priority ca11 to an of�cer(an off'icer in need of assistance
is lughest). In 1985, the police were responding to over 900 false alarm calls per month.
This number has been reduced over the past seven years. However, it could and should be
reduced even further. The $10 fine is not a great enougti deterrent for some owners to
responsibly maintain and train others on how to use their systems. It costs the same - $10-
for the third false alarm as it does for the tenth false alarm.
Most of the alarm systems in St. Paul are maintained by responsible home or business
owners. It is a sma11 portion of owners that are creating the problems. This is an example
of the 80/20 principle -20% of the owners are not responsible and create problems for 80%
� Qi-i��g
�
2
of the responsible owners.
A section of the ordinance states that after four false alarms the City may start revocation
proceedings against the pemut. This has never been enforced because it is a costly and
ineffective method for getting compliance. We could revoke the permit but the owner
would still have an alarm system, which once activated, would still summon the police.
Solution
We propose to increase the �ne schedule for false alarms.
False Alarms Pro�osed Fine C'�nent Fine
_
1 free (warning) free (warning)
2 free (warning) $10
3 $10 $10
4 $25 $10
5 $SO $10
6 $100 $10
7 $150 $10
8 $150, etc. $10, etc.
This is not a new concept. Other municipalities have implemented such policies. We have
attached correspondence which provides the detail. Please note the article which describes
the program implemented in Toronto.
Analysis
This is not a revenue generating plan and should not be viewed as one. In fact, the goal of
this proposal is to reduce the number of false alarms and thus reduce the fine revenue we
receive. We are allowing an extra free false alarm per year, so many people that incur two
false alarms will save $10. However, those owners who experience more than three false
alarms will pay an increased fine.
For owners that do not comply, an altemative would be to hire a private monitoring service.
The monitoring service would initially respond to alarm calls. If further assistance is
needed, the monitoring service would then summon the police. A large car dealer on
University Avenue recently switched to a monitoring service. The dealer installed a motion
detector system which surrounded an outdoor lot. Any object that entered the perimeter
(bird, squirrel, rock, etc) automatically set off the system and summoned the police. Tlus
created a large problem for the police patrol units in the area. Finally, after discussing the
problem with the owner and failing to get him to try another system, we were able to
persuade him to hire a private monitoring service.
Consequences
The proposed amendment will have its share of controversy. We'll try to answer the
foreseeable questions:
� ; . �-c��-���� ��{
. �
3
1. The whole program should be scrappec� Citizens and businesses pay taxes and deserve
promp� free service from the police.
Answer True. Citizens and businesses do pay taxes. But if every tax-paying citizen or
business indiscriminately beckoned the police, law and order would not be
maintained. If we are sending one, two or sometimes three squads to a
location, that does not leave many other available squads to service the rest
of the area.
In order to maintai.n this level of service, we would need additional officers
resulting in increased taxes.
2. How do the police know it was a false alarm? Someone could have tugged on the door
or window and set off the alarm.
Answer We get this response every so often. We rely on the expertise of the officer
on the scene. If there is ANY doubt that there was an attempted break-in,
the officer should note that on his/her report and the report should not be
sent to the License Division. This is not considered a false alarm.
On the other hand, if the system is so sensitive that someone can pull on a
door or window and set off the alarm without leaving any physical sign of a
break-in, then the system probably needs to be adjusted.
3. The false alarm was caused by a system malfunction - it is not my fault.
Answer We try to be compassionate with the owners. Let's face it - they pay a large
sum of money to purchase a system and might also pay a large monthly
monitoring fee as well. When the system malfunctions and causes a false
alarm, the owner is not too happy when he/she receives a bill from us.
This is where the third party in all this comes in - the alarm company. Most
alarm companies realize the importance of providing a decent system and
training to their customers. Unfortunately, there are a few installers that
don't care once the customer has purchased the system. When a system
malfunctions and the system is still under warranty or the owner is paying a
service contract, we tell the owners to forward the bill to the alarm
companies. 1'his has been an effective method of reducing system
malfunctions.
The bottom line is that this amendment will not affect 80 to 90% of the owners. However,
it will affect some, and that is the intention since these are the owners that are abusing the
� � ' � �� q��r6�� �
, t
�
4
system.
As we stated earlier, the purpose of this ordinance amendment is to reduce false alarms. -
This will "free up" our police so that their time can be better utilized to serve and protect
our neighborhoods. The ability to provide more police availability can be achieved at no
additional charge to tax payers.
The Mayor's Administration has discussed this proposal and made modi�ca.tions. The
proposed ordinance, forwarded for the Committee's consideration, has been approved by
the Mayor.
cc: Mayor Scheibel Phil Byrne
Councilmember Long Barb Jeanetta
Councilmember Rettman Chief McCutcheon
Richard Gehrman Of�cer Swintek
Marcy Schillinger
Roberta Weltzin, Traffic and Violations Bureau
Nancy Silesky, Minnesota Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (MBFAA)
Wally Peikert, ADT Security Systems, Inc.
. . . , (��i-/�9
. .�--
CITY OF SAINT PAUL .
INTERDEPARTMfNTAL MEMORANOUM
September 10, 1991 �
TO: Councilmember Paula Maccabee, Chair
Human Services, Regulated Industries, Rules and Policy Committee
�
FROM: Robert Kessler, John Rega�
License and Permit Division
RE: Revision of Alarm Permit Ordinance
Issue
The Police Department still responds to over 600 "false alarm" burglar calls per month.
This is an inefficient use of police services. The time spent responding to false alarms can
better be used to protect the citizenry.
Background .
Since 1985, an ordinance has been in effect wluch requires all commercial and residential
owners of burglar alarm systems in St. Paul to obtain a permit from the City (Chapter 329
of the Legislative Codz).
Generally spealdng, the ordinance has been effective. We now have 5000 records on file
of cunent owners of burglar alarm systems. Information such as the owner's name, type of
system, and alternate keyholders is readily available to the police dispatcher to provide to
the patrol unit(s). Each one of these owners is required to apply for a permit. The annual
fee is $10.
However, the other section of the ordinance has not beeu to`�ally effective in reducing the
number of false alarms. Each owner is granted one free false alarm per year. The owner
is billed $10 for each false alarm thereafter.
An alarm call is the second highest priority call to an officer(an officer in need of assistance
is lughest). In 1985, the police were responding to over 900 false alarm calls per month.
This number has been reduced over the past seven years. However, it could and should be
reduced even further. The $10 fine is not a great enough deterrent for some owners to
responsibly maintain and train others on how to use their systems. It costs the same - $10-
for the third false alarm as it does for the tenth false alarm.
Most of the alarm systems in S� Paul are maintained by responsible home or business
owners. It is a small portion of owners that are creating the problems. This is an example
of the 80/20 principle -20% of the owners are not responsible and create problems for 80%
� . � , . � � . . �,��i i�9
2
of the responsible owners.
A section of the ordinance states that after four false alarms the City may start revocation
proceedings against the permit This has never been enforced because it is a costly and
ineffective method for getting compliance. We could revoke the permit but the owner
would still have an alarm system, which once activated, would still summon the police.
luti n
We propose to increase the �ne schedule for false alarms.
False Alarms Proposed Fine C�rrent Fine
1 free (warning) free (warning)
2 free (warning) $10
3 $10 $10
4 $25 $10
5 $50 $10
6 $100 $10
7 $150 $10
8 $150, etc. $10, etc.
This is not a new concept. Other municipalities have implemented such policies. We have
attached correspondence which provides the detail. Please note the article which describes
the program implemented in Toronto.
AnalXsis
This is not a revenue generating plan and should not be viewed as one. In fact, the goal of
this proposal is to reduce the number of false alarms and thus reduce the fine revenue we
receive. We are allowing an extra free false alarm per year, so many people that incur two
false alarms will save $10. However, those owners who experience more than three false
alarms will pay an increased fine.
For a�:mers that d� not comply, an alternative would be to hire a private monitoring service.
The monitoring service would initially respond to alarm calls. If further assistance is
needed, the monitoring service would then summon the police. A large car dealer on
University Avenue recently switched to a monitoring service. The dealer installed a motion
detector system which surrounded an outdoor lot. Any object that entered the perimeter
(bird, squirrel, rock, etc) automatically set off the system and summoned the police. This
created a large problem for the police patrol units in the area. Finally, after discussing the
problem with the owner and failing to get him to try another system, we were able to
persuade him to hire a private monitoring service.
Consequences
The proposed amendment will have its share of controversy. We'll try to answer the
foreseeable questions:
� . . � � �r-/���
3
1. The whole prograrn should be scrapped. Citizens and businesses pay taxes and deserve
prompt, free service from the police.
Answer True. Citizens and businesses do pay taxes. But if every tax-paying citizen or
business indiscriminately beckoned the police, law and order would not be
maintained. If we are sending one, two or sometimes three squads to a
location, that does not leave many other available squads to service the rest
of the area.
In order to maintain this level of service, we would need additional officers
resulting in increased taxes.
2. How do the police know it was a false alarm? Someone could have tugged on the door
or window and set off the alarm.
Answer We get this response every so often. We rely on the expertise of the officer
on the scene. If there is ANY doubt that there was an attempted break-in,
the officer should note that on his/her report and the report should not be
sent to the License Division. This is not considered a false alarm.
On the other hand, if the system is so sensitive that someone can pull on a
door or window and set off the alarm without leaving any physical sign of a
break-in, then the system probably needs to be adjusted.
3. The false alarm was caused by a system malfunction - it is not my fault.
Answer We try to be compassionate with the owners. Let's face it - they pay a large
sum of money to purchase a system and might also pay a large monthly
monitoring fee as well. When the system malfunctions and causes a fa�se
alarm, the owner is not too happy when he/she r�ceives a bill from us.
This is where the third pariy in all this comes in - the alarm company. Most
alarm companies realize the importance of providing a decent system and
training to their customers. Unfortunately, there are a few installers that
don't care once the customer has purchased the system. When a system
malfunctions and the system is still under warranty or the owner is paying a
service contract, we tell the owners to forward the bill to the alarm
companies. This has been an effective method of reducing system
malfunctions.
The bottom line is that this amendment will not affect 80 to 90% of the owners. However,
it will affect some, and that is the intention since these are the owners that are abusing ihe
. ��%���
4
system.
As we stated earlier, the purpose of this ordinance amendment is to reduce false alarms.
This will "free up" our police so that their time can be better utilized to serve and protect
our neighborhoods. The ability to provide more police availability can be achieved at no
additional charge to tax payers.
The Mayor's Administration has discussed this proposal and made modifications. The
proposed ordinance, forwarded for the Committee's consideration, has been approved by
the Mayor.
cc: Mayor Scheibel Phil Byrne
Councilmember Long Barb Jeanetta
Councilmember Rettman Chief McC�tcheon
Richard Gehrman Officer Swintek
Marcy Schillinger
Roberta Weltzin, Traffic and Violations Bureau
Nancy Silesky, Minnesota Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (MBFAA)
Wally Peikert, ADT Security Systems, Inc.
�
����-�c s� , (�;�!� l 1L F� 1L �. � ��y����91'
ca t�aas:nccamoH.t iw m+��. m� �< <••�s�.ua.a:
Cou�l lfle Na 6�-C3t — Ordfn�c�ce No. fy I���, ggL.i � �mu�l tee tLe audlbli amuotl+ae wret an
:71N—BY John Drr+— �uind is i10 !or e�cn pemik. ala�m slrtem.a t�nal.hkb om�e+
Aa oedlo�m 9«+►�+�to�lacm devlce� Additiaoal feea m�r Ee �uiiad more tL�n trin io • oo�baus
and Ilcrose�nd D«a�ita there(or.�mdSnt uadc th�pmviaian ot Subdtvisim D�*iod:or
(bapter 329 0! eLe Saint P�ul IspsLtive 3.dau+�lA. ld sipala a l�lae alarn�.
Code, (bl(ADDtlIONAL FEE FOR LA1Z it� [ADDfiTONAL !'EFS: CAUSL iOA
The Councll ol tLe Cltr o!Sint Paul Do�s APP[.iCA'ITON.1 A 325 cha�e�ill RtVOCATION OF PERYI?.] Aa�
Q�� be�dded to c6e!ea provided Lerao yenpn=ouad to be iu violatloc o!tlds
[or au��lum sysum user who Wk a�Ddlvfsioa sbaLL be billed au addltlooal .
W cptain an •larm syst� uaer tce o!310 br ttie licmu ia�pK�os!or
permft vithln 60 daya �[let tse each oeeuttence. vhich fee mar.
etlectl�e dau of thb xRfao.or w6o �lte�aativel�. be eolletsed b� addto�
SLC.'iION 2 fi moie than AO da�s deUnQumt Sn au�addltloaal fe�e o�leer w th��aoual
C�apw 72!o!the Safnt P�ul Laialative tene�int an �latm srstem user !�r m be coUeeted �t N� tim� o!
Coda as ammdad.be�nd tht aame b hcreb� pernLLl appLLc�tion (or zeae++al oI td� �lum
�b��adb��ddla�af�etlaawreadu lcl ��pT(ON.I.��+� fls� user pece�it. Ho�evsr. upan th•
l0110� uxr►eieh ia a politlol subdiviaioe �ipal�+t ot the Loursd filst aLim 6om
329.06. (ALARK DEVICL9 TOR POLICL ot the Iederal or state=we*nmeet. �n�la�s�st�peimitted ucd�t this
Gy�q 1 ineludin�the dt�.ahall be sub�act to �ection. eLe license impeeto[ �all
Snbdivisiao l. IDEFiNlI20NS.j For eh� the pmvislont of tLis sactlon but commenee revocatloa proeeedta�s
yuryoa�s of ehls seetion.the follo�v(at��s �Aall be am+pud Imm �ll tee immediaulr pucsuant w Metioo�lO.OS.
aod Oh=ases ahall 6aw tb�me�aiM set foreb re4uiiemmu heceundet•
�p thls y��pd(vidpp eteept whe�e the cantat (31 (APPI.ICAT'ION: REQUIREbILNTS.I SflClION 3
ele�rlT indfota ehat a ditletent meanint!s Aa7 Pe+'�4 mepotatiae.or other mtitT 1�is adiaanae�6a11 Le deemed a part ot tLa
fateoded a0D►7in� !or �a alacro syrtan user Salnt Pwl LeNslative Code and ahdl b�
ll� Iwt,,�iut �x�tt!'.l "�u,.m y.sm�r. reemu �nat1 wpPly co �ne ttame �,+y,�,uasaa�tamarven.nwvmvriau
m�d a pamlt Lsud b� tLe �e�nr in�ector,m a tocm to be piwided,the �y��/or s�ectSon aumber at tbe ttme of
(naqetor m an7 o�oer or other D�noo fotlovin{ialoemation: ���r��of s�id Ietisiadve Code.
la wnVol of a bul�dfai. �tn�c��• �al 'ibe wmt addim. and telerhoee
prppert7.or�n1 P�+�tseraot.lovud]a number ot Ne�ppliant: SF•CSION{
tht dq �Eo h�a leard.Wc�'h�s�d.or t01 The Dlace vhere the�larm ��tw This ordlaaod sh�ll take eft�.t aod D�ia
�y�P�rs as�latm a7�tem for viU be installed aod maiatalced: foroe 70 d�Y+attez ib pas�a appmv�l aad
ur on W D+�� c� 'Ibe Dnad n�me of eLe alacm Dup�aoo.
cA (AI.ARH SYS'iZ1I.l "N+rm qscem•• :pstem:
SLCSfON S
m�ns �f �sr�oblr ot eQulpmmt or (d. 'Ihe qye ot �lum sYsum bcio�
devlen. ellher meehanieall� or i�y�;�d T��°�'�O°s°f �O°� �'�� ��
eLetrfoLLl ���� �� ai�ala. 129.OS fEall eiCi�e oa Juae 70. 19t! ualsr
dtAv wdfbt�or ia m7 0���° fd A ltat oI tEe cames�nd tdephaoe Q��o=�ypoa Er the dt�muodL
as 10 b� am. heaid. or otberwfa� oumbas ot those D��vAo luve Ad��p�t�e Couneil Hw�ber 20.19i1.
d�etd wtad� t� p�oueted at� the abillt� W met:o: tbe dum
to piovide tor 24�hwts+� Ysa—Couodlm°D:e+r.fl7e�Huaar.
snfcid S7 t� alaem +7��. Nu a �s�niLbWt1• Nlood�.Se�dbd.Tedra�.Wllson—7.
�rf.�+ril�+7.�tt o!vandallm�ot N��_0.
ot�waut�orWd mh'f has oontned (A A ddantfoa ehat tlte�laem sY� ad November Sl.19i4.
�ed�A1�ls lutedd tn�ummaa polee dad not utiltte m automatle dl�tla� APW�
� device9�ot��to npunc polia GEOAGL LATOIER
fA (ANNUNCIATOR.) "Aaounelator" ��vOO�' ��0�
mrot tEe insetumentalit�iu or�tbR l{) fISSVANCL O!' PERE�1: COPY TO (Dacember t.19641
p�y� �{ � �►�m s7�tem t�mu� POLICE DEPART�IENT.� Upea
�;�vfw��.iud1Ela and/or dect:onk appiovd b�the Ilceax inrpector o(m
�otV m�nuniou to an7 D��a initial or rene+►al applfe�tioa �nd
paymmt ot the ceQuited fee�.tLe ticeex
(U Ir��w�Y•���Fals��lacm"msm �y�or ahall Issue a qermit and�md a ORDI;VANCE ��1E\��IEVT
�bf �CSI�7LI00 OI � ��lID �rt� �p OI�!D![all��DA�VCISC�LI00 SA tti!
thiou�t launUooal :y�meeEaniul �ri�e �mtiaa umt o! ehe Pd�
lallure or malluactlaa: improp�r d�rt�t
lnstall�tlon. malntenance. or
pqrr�ialoe: or the neiuimR ol tLt f31 (DENIAL OF PEEI![1T.1 In tLe event tLs �,.orain�r�c� r..muw:ra.n�.c�ne. 1'isa.
�crose iespeROr de�ermines that tLe �o�+ncia n1.no. �<_au cva.a u rn+our
o�as ot per+on im m�tml o( tLe sa9 ot w s.a.�c r.ui_.o�•l.cs�.coa•.
�ppllatlon tor t�� i=��°� or amye.e ey cn•esev r,�neat �n ne....e.r :o.
premisa on which tLe�Ltat s�rtem u tv�a. a�rc.ans+w eo .i•rs a..nco .�a
recew�l doet not meet all the lie.w•.na v��u cn•r•tcr. ane wwana
placed �nd �hieh is latmdec W ��=�mVof��� ����y�o�, s«cun 3aa.os. suee. 3�s�.
wmmma a polite aspoea. Z]u term �K �dvice Imm ebe cRld o( polfQ.
does eot inelude �4rnu ouaed b� na camczt or na c:n or s�ixr r�u�eocs oeewrv:
utlllt�ISne malfuactlom,torce m�►eure. tSnds th�t th� �lum =7rt� and iis s.csien :.
attacheemts ue ineomD�tible�ith t�e
or oNer mndltiaos �I�icb an cla�rf� �muuiotlm eluiDm�t ol th�yollee n..e orain.ne. ve. i�taa. _auncsi rii. sa_a��. .aooew nv
beyond the cootrol ot tAe�larm uxr. c�. cicr cowau on ne�...�wr :o. :v�<. .�a .n�cn .�.�a« c.�.oc.�
depa[talent o[ woYld be llkel7 tO li� et cn� s�tnc r�ua Lwa�l�csv� Cna� �nC ��C�O111t1�C • a.e..ic
(Sl (AVTOKATIC OIALIHG DEVICL� �t���R �(th tbe m[mal ute ot tbe w���+ [e� •i�e� a«ac�� :er aolic� :�i:s �na arwaa�a aw�:s��
"AutortLLtlG dl�lln devlC!" C1Hm a v�en[or. a� �+a cM aw L�eereev ��N w �+ co reo��l S�ccion
i de9�rtment's eommunleatlau s �.,.et. .naa�s«cim s a�taw cn.c :n.vrw.aao�•at s.esae�
devia vhich utlllus tLe publit pnmarp �pmmt or would imV�W�� �:s.ol �+re�an s.ecim�zs.os an.�i e.oir.a+Jw. so. :s�s wi••.
�4 ucw�aw e� .eca �oon er u. c:cr -ouneil. :n. tn:.nc ol :ni.
telephone tttink 1'tnn o[othe!dcdfiuted ��tm�pt.Ne tbe i6sOK���1 r.e.atlna oew'wc� ta ee cmctaw tn :orc. �.a K:�cc s.ectona
Iines w sdeet • pndeucmined or �m� deal�l �ed fellow �e �as.otrn.wan us.w or ce. s.anc a.ut :..out.ci..caaa.
assi�ed tdepAone nua�bet and �Ekh p�d�ad�ortb b retlm 710.Oi. s.csaan 3.
tr�nfatits. by a pte-rccoMed roice
(� Ip£g�([�' 2'p HE D1SPL.A7CID-1 '� in.c s.ecaa. �:s.os. weaa.t,aon s�:� et c+. s.aec r«,t
mess��eorcode�i�nal.totheSuntPaul i..ataa.eav.coa.w.ne �s n.r.eY .w.ne.a eo�..a .. te►tw.=
p�rmit �6a►1 b� 7bT�u7 ��
poliee dep►rtmeat • me�a�e tLat �n � � p�y� �� �pe �Vrm t3� ,wuua,,•l t«: c.u.. to�r.we.na.et a.�►e.
iet�da�t a( tbt kiod noeed in the ,u�.v.�saa ta.a ee w u..�oi•uen or :as• .�wi.a.aon
pttem b ua�d.sh�ll b�isdlll r1f1Y1f sn� 1 e. t�w�.e �..rni •or :n. tlr.c.tel�ciar s.r.e!
dellaition o! '•�larm �r�trm" haa
0aluied. 1ivC tW atlflof tbel�o�.md t��� u�a .or �.cn �uu �nc+�o �c:an �tu e�oi .�a �n
av�lLElt for toap�l�a b'!tb�llar� •eeac► «o o�W cn� cw� werur [e► ..e�
oocw��r, russ!M.+r. �lt�rn�ciwly, M
Subd. 2. (ALARII SYSTEM tJSER'S �� ee�.ew�r.aun�«,aa.�aieian.a rw or r.w
PE1WIf.� Supd.l(AI.AR1�SYSTTJI:NUISANCLI �w�ar� t«w e�wa�.asw.e w esr et
(1I (PL1UliI REQUIRED: 1ZlISl.l Upm woaac�ctaw[or�n�wi o[ ua�1u��wr o��+ac.
(U Ip(JHI.IC NULSANCT.I It a�aLL Of a ""`�"`r• 1p°^�"' •�a"unQ or sn. ra.rcn r.►.+
�1�A���M�l�f! �yfi�O�AICCW uM�f N31
tL�eti�ctive d�u o!thla aeeeioa evef �� aulaanee tor W 0�� m ..acaan. w ue..w in.o.aex waa�ee...wa.
alatm s�stem uxr ahall obta/a.!ar e�th eaaRtol s.e�cim�aio'.o�i�� s�.as.uar w��c u
aLrm a�stem.�ppmv�l trom eLe tieaea� �heulaa�haw�etudyh7d��
ia�p�rluc !or u �larm n'�aem user wrt an7���7R��t s«cion�.
permit A permit�he lssua�d shW be (al eanlh b7�o�udlLfe um�od�tar d *m. «w�c. waa c... .[r«e .na w u. rw�e. wrer
v�lid fu m�7ear�nd muat b�rme+ed �n al�rm s7st� a sl�l o(�� a.r. t..�e...n�.rc.r tu v...•v. •oo.w.a .ti v�iae.caon.
b� the alarm qstem uaer e� ynr than 20 miautei coatlaueas
thecMRa. duntloo:ot
. . . ������
�-��":_�;
�4'►9 3
;e ��
, �f �, �]ISI(iI� ��
n `
v J �
Q
^. v v O p A
. 5 .,` _%�`� '�p%,
•.�•.. �p
�.� ,'�`..�•
��=' V CITY OF SAINT PAUL �
BUDGET OFFICE
Interdepartmental Memorandum
June 17, 1991
TO: John Regal
FROM: Barbara Jeanetta J(,(,�����`
�
RE: False Alarm Fees
Attached is documentation of some research I asked one of our interns to do. Butch
Swintek had suggested in a conversation that our false alarm fees were pitifully below
suburban municipalities. After talking with you, and hearing that the License Division .
already has something in progress to change the burglar alarm permitting and fine
process, I thought I should just forvvard a copy of Amelious's work to you. I think you
will find it helpfuil in establishing justifiable alarm fines in St. Paul. Please keep
Amelious or I i�formed of your progress. We'd appreciate a draft of your proposal
when it becomes available.
cc: A. Whyte
�,�L'
. ����
i
n C� �
,; , . -
� ,L�
�
r
�
: ��,,���
=0-�
CITY OF SAINT P/1UL
INTERDEPARTMENTAI MEMORANDUM
TO: Barb Jeanetta
FROM: Amelious Whyte��j�
DATE: June 14, 1991
RE: False Alarm Fees
Below are the rates that selected cities charge to respond to false
burglar alarms. In most cases everyone starts the calendar year
with a clean slate of no false alarms. In addition most cities do
not charge for false alarms related to power outages or storms.
App1e Valley- 4 free, $20. 00 for the 5th and $50. 00 thereafter
Anoka- No Charge
Bloominqton- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th and an additional $25.00
for each one thereafter ($75.00, $100. 00, etc. . . )
Coon Rapids- 3 free, $27 . 00 for the 4th and 5th, $55. 00 for the 6th
-9th and $110. 00 for any above ten
Eden Prairie- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th -lOth, $100. 00 for the
ilth-15th, $150. 00 for any above 16
Edina- 2 free, $75. 00 thereafter
Golden Valley- 3 free, $50. 00 thereafter
Hastings- No Charge
Inver Grove Aeights- 5 free, $100.00 thereafter
Minneapolis- 4 free, $59 . 00 for the 5th, $89. 00 for the 6th, $119
for the 7th and $238. 00 thereafter
� ��� �. � � � � � �y�����
. :O-=
C1TY OF SAINT PAUL
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
Minnetonka- 3 free, $50. 00 for the 4th, an additional $25. 00 ,
. for each one thereafter ($75.00, $100. 00 etc. . . )
Roseville- 3 free, $75.00 for the 4th and an additional $25.00 for
each one thereafter ($100.00, $125.00, etc. . . )
St. Louis Park- 3 free, $50.00 for the 4th and an additional
increment for each one thereafter
' L , - �I ��V ' '
Ver�fica��on �r��r�m �e��� �'or�n��
Win �he �Nar Agains� �a�se A�arms
Toronto District Forms Triad With Pol2ce and Customers
hey're annoying, Operations
time-consuming, Manager Hugh
'�� ?'�^�` -�.�
demoralizing and �.^- . � c�, �, , �� Dean,le ,an
frustrating. They , 4'� �`� � ;;�.. � ' '�`''"`•i?'�' Regional General
can cause a rapid ��;: . �M�� � • ;` ��} ;w: Manager Paul
decline in relations - c�: �. �'� �;µ Ro6ertsvn,
with customers, � �s Central and
pofice and fire officials. They � ��- � �� Western Ontario,
� can contribute to alarm com- � `
pany discontinuance rates. � i, � '`�� are worktng
They cost taxpayers money. �-�� closely with theis
And they can endanger lives. tocai poiice
False alarms have long � depa�tments and
been the bane of the alarm customers to
industry, often ectipsing the dramatically
good work being done to help reduce false
protect businesses u(urm rates.
and homes, lives
� and property. The
We wanted to false alarm rate
has continued to
know where a escatate, keeping
customer stood pace with the ever-
increasing number and money spent on chasing In that same year, Hugh Dean,
at any given of electronic securi- down false alarms and the currently Branch Operations
moment. tY system owners. problsm false ala�ms pose to Manager,was also brought on
In earlier years, people in actual need of help. board to handle the customer
� the alarm industry's Additionally, after answering service area.
technology shoul- a series of false alarm calls, At that time one person was
dered a considerable portion of police can become psycho- dedicated to handling the
the blame for the problem. But logically"disarmed" and less War on False Alarms(WOFA}.
•technologies have been refined prepared when confronting "Then we got even more seri-
and upg�aded.They're sleeker real burglaries. ous about it." said Dean,who
and smarter. But despite the 6ack in 1988, at an annual added three more associaies to
progress in technology, the Central Station Alarm Associa- his VVOFA Department.At first.
false alarm rate has continued tion (CSAA)convention, Les Dean recalled, they were only
to escalate. Brualdi, President and Chief putting out forest fires, reacting
Executive Officer,ADT Securiry to events instead of be�ng
CUStomer Error IS Key Cause Systems,warned members proactive. They realized they
Research indicates that it is not about the negative effects of needed to heighten customer
technology, but customer error false alarms. There he issued awareness about false alarms.
which is the primary cause of a chaAenge fo�everyone to
the false alarm problem. Alarm adopt a"zero defect" mentality Alarm Activity Analysis
companies which don't thor- on false alarms. The goal A supervisor analyzed�eir
oughly educate their customers should be for every alarm false alarm activity and software
and customers who are care- company to strive to eliminate "vas developed to receive and
less and lax about system false alarms completely. sort all that data. "We wanted
operations are both to blame. Paul Robertson, Regional to know where a customer
But pofice care little about General Manager,Centra!and stood at any given moment,'
whose fault it is when they are Western Ontario,ADT Canada, said Dean.
repeatedly answering false had been w�estling with the The job of the WoFA coordi-
alarm calls. false alarm problem since he nator, explained Bill Gelinas.
What they do care about is became a general manager in Customer Service Manager.
the waste of time, manpower January of 1984. is to be both an analyst and
�
8
. ' . . ` ,�i�9����
. - = that were imposed on delin-
'-"� quent customers as a user
-, r` � tax. "Customers felt that once
•..�_ .__ fines had been paid, they
" � were entitled to police service
� I
again. Something more strin-
� ���!'k�'t gent was needed." �
�f."tr�... ... -.
, ,?�,;,�. ` ` . The Peel police had been •
...� ;;rs� ° �, �` noticing a sharply rising alarm
�r �.ti - � M��� _ rate in their area—an area
'��;; c •� which was slated for significant
�. growth both commercially and
r.�.:
-- � �.„X ,_ �� ,;; residentially. That meant even
'��-�_ `- � � ,.�>Y�' higher false alarm rates in the
°-�--��_.�` future with no additional growth
x�t�;�_-. � * in the police department to
� �~� �– support them.
�6
_ � .. i..
� �'- � ' Verificatian Poiicy Discussed
WOFA Coordinators, communicator. "A coordinator trying to reduce their fafse Something had to be done.
lejt ro right,Terri lets the customer know that alarm rate. Some police The Peel police held a sym-
there's a roblem that has to de artments deal with the posium of interested parties,
Rowe,Zina Schardt, P P including police chiefs and
and Ceri Rutland be solved. It means being problem by levying fines on alarm company representa-
have been proactive P�oactive and aggressive in those residents or business tives. Dean and a WOFA data
in helping customers solving problems and dealing owners who have too many supervisor attended that meet-
with the police more closely." false alarms. in where Peel olice s oke
solve probiems. In some big cities, police g p p
Serious Issue for Police departments can just suspend about instituting a new alarm �
olice res onse to notorious verification policy.
Because the false alarm issue p p At that meeting, the Peel
also poses serious problems 'at faulY alarm customers. In police revealed that 17-25 per-
for law enforcement officials, New York City, for instance, cent of thei� budget was being
many police departments are there are approximateiy 220,000 consumad by false alarm calls.
also taking proactive stands in systems which are cut off on a Of the total number of alarms
recurring basis, Dean said. received within a year, 99.4
Police in the percent of them
Pee! Regional were false,
Police Depart- � police noted.
����� ment, located jt hel ed sort out the The verifica-
just outside p tion policy was
� Toronto, indust into two �
Canada, de- � p aced into e"rfect
������� cided to take kindS O f alaYYri in January 1989
a strcng stand. by the enactment
FALSE ALARMS The timing was companies: the ones of an administra-
right and in that sell hardware tive regulation
early 1989, by the police.
the interests and monitor it and The policy said
°� ' � of the Toronto the others who care. that"after a total
�`— of four`at faulY
� � ADT District � afarms within one
and those
of the Peel year, police
Police coalesced in a common �esponse to such calls is sus-
�, � �� cause: false alarm reduction. pended for one year." "At fiault"
- �� alarms are defined as those
_ In Decembe�of 1988 caused by equipment malfunc-
Robertson had reduced his
� tion or customer negtigence.
/� rate to 1.3 false alarms per peel also stipulated that alarm
system per year. But he was companies must verify atarms
searching for a way to bring by telephoning the customer's
his rate down even furiher. �femises—or others on
"The 80-20 rule applied," he the call list—before police
explained. "Twenry percent of are dispatched.
���.Q�� 'A�,I.' �����E� the customers were causing The police, Dean explained,
80 percent of the problems." felt that most ADT alarm
Robertson described the fines
�
9
� � - . �yi-i��'�
,
p�oblems witfiin their control. The Peel program, in fact,
"A lot of customers iotally was so successful that the
ADT FALSE ALARM �OLlC'1 ignore their part in reducing Metro Toronto Police Depart-
�: In December ADTs Industry Relations false alarms. IYs difficult to get ment followed suit, and in
°'=Team created.a company policy on false. through to a customer who January 1990, adopted a simi-
��alarms that describes whatADTbelieves is doesn't want to be a partner. lar policy on false alarms.
There are some who don't want
��;the optimum way to combatfalse alarms. to share the commitment," said Cooperative Triad .
�-�ADT believes that: Gelinas. "That's why the Peel Robertson is excited about
.�_ Program was so important. the resuits of the Peel Program
�.;1:. False alarms.tie up resources;endanger Before they weren't as worried and believes the true answer
�:�. lives and reduce the abiliry to respond to about false alarms." to dramatic false alarm reduc-
`"�:'`real emergencies..
Said Dean, "It helped sort tion lies in the cooperative triad
:'.`2::A solution to the false ala�m�problem can out the industry into two kinds of ADT, police and customers.
only be attained through the responsible of alarm companies:the ones Only with all three working
�. cooperation of the customer,the police that sell hardware and monitor together, each proactive and
=;` and the alarm monitoring;company. it and the others who care." responsible, can the answers
�3:- Alarm-permits and_false alarm fines alone- be found.
will norsignificandy reduce false alarms Credibility wifh Police In 1989 Robertson calculat-
- "We analyzed our false alarm ed that there were 1.53 false
.'4. Telephone verification of alarms before problem comprehensively. alarms per premise pe�year
>- dispatching the�police is a proven method_ We talked to customers.We and .94 false alarms per sys-
of reducing false alarms and should be came up with technology tem, pe�year in his district.
required by police:.(The Peel Regional solutions. We upgraded sys- In the month of December,
Police found that this was a crucial factor tems and retrained customers," the number of false alarms
> in the success of its policy.) said Dean. "8ut the big differ- was down 40 percent from
'�5. Suspension of police response for one ence is we now have a rapport the previous year.
year after four"atfault" false ala�ms in one and credibility with the Peel "General managers must get
year's time is a necessary requirement of police.We have not burdened involved with the law enforcers
�. any police�policy, and:ADT.will support it them and we have a good to begin the triad," Robertson
�;;.: working relationship.' explained.
,:6_ Prompt re-instatement ofipolice response-_ Inspector Jim Simpson, Custorners, Robertson said,
_ after suspensiorr must be.possible after of the Peel Regional Police were becoming more responsi-
� the alarm monitoring�company and�the - Department, speaks highly ble. "IYs really starting to show
� customer certify that corrective action— of the�elationship between his us results in the marketplace as
� . such as repairof malfunctioning police force well. We're get-
equipment or improved customer and ADT. He ting requests
education—has been taken�. even agreed to � from customers
� be interviewed , to go with an
by ADT on We re getting ADT syscem
owners would not be affected videotape YCL]ueStS fYOm because of our
by the new policy, only the about the false reputation. But
worst offenders. aiarm problem, customers to go if you can;get
At first ADT's�esponse, his Peel pro- ' wf th an AIJT Your pclice
rypical of many alarm compa- gram and his department to
nies, was one of reluctance. positive inter- system be�ause o f support you, it
There was concern about aciion with our reputation. Just won't work."
customer resistance. ADT. During Tony"rague,
But the AOT Toronto Oistrict that inter- � Director. lndustry
soon became a proponent of view, Simpson gelations, ADT
the Peel policy. The initial time, describes ADT as a"good Security Systems, advises
effort, and retraining, afong with corporate citizen." ADT managers to begin
police support, began to pay Simpson said that when he dialogues with their local police
off handsomely in significantly needed input f�om an alarm departments, asking police
diminished false alarm rates. company, he turned to ADT to support and mandate
In assessing the false alarm associates and asked them verification programs.
problem, the Toronto District for their opinion. The Peel "ADT as the industry leader
determined that there were Police have their own emptoyee should get out in front of the
several predominant contribut- dedicated to tracking and crowd and promote the reduc-
ing factors. One was older sys- logging all false alarm activiry. tion of false alarms through
tems. A�other was turnover in Simpson has been pleased AOT's new false alarm policy.
customef personnel. And a with the ever-diminishing false Such actions should result in
third involved customers who alarm statistics. improved relations with both
didn't take responsibility fo� police and customers."�
�
10