Police and fire push revisions to alarm ordinance to curb high false‑alarm rates
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Summary
Police and fire staff told the committee that roughly 98% of intrusion alarms are false; the ordinance update would add annual registration, stronger verification by alarm companies, inclusion of fire in false‑alarm management, escalation steps and possible third‑party administration. Committee approved the changes 6‑0.
Police and fire officials urged the committee to approve sweeping updates to the alarm businesses and systems ordinance to reduce the county's high volume of false alarms and the staff time those calls consume.
George Sims of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department presented data showing intrusion alarms are overwhelmingly false (staff estimated about 98% false alarms) and that alarm calls account for roughly 4% of police calls for service. Chief John Dropelman (fire marshal, Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department) described a similar problem for fire responses, where alarms can represent 6% of the fire department's calls but a far higher rate of false or malicious activations.
Proposed changes in the packet include an annual registration fee for alarm companies, formal inclusion of the fire department in the false‑alarm management program, stronger verification requirements for alarm companies to contact a responsible person before dispatching police for intrusion alarms, escalation procedures (training/site visits) for excessive users and potential suspension of response after repeated unfounded activations. Staff also described exploring third‑party alarm‑management vendors to handle administrative billing and notifications so police and fire personnel can focus on responses.
Commissioners asked about legal mechanics (whether assessed fees could be collected as special assessments or liens), liability in third‑party arrangements and whether weather‑related alarms would be treated differently. Legal counsel and staff said some questions (like whether fees constitute a lien) required follow‑up. The committee voted to approve the ordinance amendments 6‑0.
