In a recent blog, I touched upon false alarm prevention programs that many Canadian municipalities have now implemented.
These by-laws have been created in an attempt to prevent the large number of false alarm calls that the Police receive yearly. False alarms are costly to our Police departments, and they delay response to important calls for Police. For this reason, these laws have been put into place.
In this week’s blog, we’re going to take a look at a couple of different false alarm prevention programs across Canada, focusing on their differences and similarities.
First, let’s take a look at our home town, Surrey, British Columbia. The City’s website provides a document stating the by-law, the fees, and payment options. If the police respond to a false alarm, the Alarm owner must pay a fine, $97 plus tax if the fine is paid within the first 14 days and $123 plus tax if paid after the 14 days the fine was given. If the fine isn’t paid before the end of the calendar year, then the fee will be added to the Alarm owner’s property tax. You will find further information regarding this by-law on the City of Surrey website.
Other cities in British Columbia that have similar laws set in place include Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Delta and Chilliwack.
Let’s move on to our neighbours on the other side of the mountains, in Calgary, Alberta. This by-law explains that all residences and businesses must obtain an alarm permit before operating an alarm system.
The by-law was adjusted in April 2016 where there will soon be a set charge for alarm permits which must be renewed annually, as well as a new false alarm penalty structure which looks to be still in the brainstorming phase. Take a look further into this by-law by visiting the City of Calgary’s website.
Other cities in Alberta that have implemented a false alarm by-law include Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, St. Albert and Medicine Hat.
Lastly, let's take a look at one more Canadian city that has implemented a false alarm by-law. The City of Regina, Saskatchewan has a clearly stated by-law implying that this law is set in order to reduce police response and promoting the proper use and maintenance of alarm systems. The duties of the alarm companies and alarm owners are clearly stated. Alarm owners must renew their alarm registration yearly.
In Regina, there is a tiered warning system set into play, whereas, after a second false alarm in the same calendar year a warning will be sent and a possible fine. With a third false alarm in the same calendar year, there a set fine of $75 to the alarm company, or in some cases, the owner. For those of you who live in Regina and have an operating alarm system, you will definitely benefit from reviewing this by-law.
Other cities in Saskatchewan that have alarm by-laws set in place include Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Torkton and North Battleford.
False alarms are a pain and waste of everyone’s time. These headaches can easily be avoided by investing in Sonitrol’s Verified Security Systems, which prevents false alarms. All of our alarm systems are closely monitored, either through audio and/or video, where one of our operators is able to verify in real time, the intrusion and notify the authorities that there is, in deed, an intrusion occurring on your premises. If it were a false alarm, the authorities would not be notified.
For more information, or for a free security audit, please contact Sonitrol. Keeping you and your business safe is our number one priority.
About Sonitrol Western Canada
We're so confident in our technology and responsive service, that no one else in the industry can match our guarantee. Our unique verified audio and CCTV video business security solutions enable our operators to hear and see what is happening in your business before the criminals gain entry!! We verify the actual source of the alarm, and we get the police to attend the scene immediately. We are a security company with over 150 offices across North America serving clients across Western Canada in British Columbia,Alberta, Saskatchewan, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon.
Sonitrol Western Canada, with its Verified Electronic Security Systems, is committed to providing customers with the most comprehensive security protection. Cooperation in the elimination of false alarms is not only beneficial to the system’s user but results in better protection of the entire community by allowing law enforcement to use their resources as efficiently as possible.
