University Study Confirms Dramatic Impact of the SIAC “Model Alarm Ordinance” on False Alarms
A study produced by the UNC-Charlotte Criminal Justice & Criminology Department confirms the dramatic Impact of the SIAC “Model Alarm Ordinance” on false alarms.
The study was based on data from four municipalities over the past 8 to 10 years. The municipalities studied were Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta in Georgia; and Montgomery County Maryland. The studies started after these municipalities had adopted some form of the “Model Alarm Ordinance” as recommended by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC).
This study looked at the number of dispatches generated from over 570,000 permitted alarm systems in the test areas. According to Dr. Joe Kuhns of UNC, “A key finding of the study is that the vast majority of alarm systems in these four (areas) were effective at protecting lives and property while generating zero calls for service in a given year, and only a tiny percentage are problematic systems that generated multiple calls.”
The numbers are impressive. High percentages of registered alarm systems generated zero dispatches, with Charlotte-Mecklenburg leading the way at 92%, followed by Montgomery County (87.5%), Atlanta (82.6%) and Marietta (66.4%). The vast majority of registered systems, in conjunction with their central stations, generate few false alarms, according to this study.
“Problematic Systems” that cause three or more dispatches were a small percentage of the studied samples. Only .09% of systems in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, 3.5% in Atlanta, 1.08% in Montgomery County, and 8.7% in Marietta.
The Model Alarm Ordinance is designed to fine the owners of alarm systems that generate excessive alarm dispatches. Stan Martin, executive director of SIAC said of the report “The study demonstrates that the strategy of focusing on the chronic abusers and fining owners who are careless in operating their electronic security systems is the most effective way of minimizing calls for (response).”
Mr. Martin emphasizes that the Model Alarm Ordinance is an open framework that communities can modify for their local needs. SIAC provides no-cost consultation to law enforcement agencies” who are considering using the Model Alarm Ordinance in some form.
One important element of the model is an increase in fines for systems that generate excessive alarms. Another key element is that central stations are mandated to have multiple contacts with the alarm site prior to dispatching.
This study cements the value of the Model Alarm Ordinance in dramatically reducing alarm dispatches and in reducing costs for law enforcement agencies.
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