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News Release

Contact: Matt Laible, Communications Department, 612-673-2786

Take steps to prevent false alarms on your home security system this winter

Dec. 11, 2007 (MINNEAPOLIS) A security system can be a good way to protect your family, your home, and everything in it this holiday season. But it’s important for alarm owners to take steps to reduce false alarms. False alarms not only make it more difficult for police to respond to real emergencies, but they can be costly for homeowners.

Every time Minneapolis Police receive an alarm call, they take action. Minneapolis receives more than 17,000 alarm calls per year, but about 98 percent of them are false alarms. Responding to thousands of alarms when it isn’t necessary is costly for the City and Minneapolis taxpayers, and it is also a tremendous drain on Police Department resources.

Preventing false alarms

Most false alarms are caused by not using the alarm properly, using an outdated alarm, poorly updated equipment, pets, and more.

To prevent false alarms in hour home:

• Know what to do if you accidentally set off your alarm system.

• Train other users in your house to properly operate the system.

• Place the alarm monitoring company’s phone number near the phone or control panel (but do not leave codes or passwords in an unsecured place.)

• Make sure all your doors and windows are secured before you activate your alarm system and leave the house.

• Make sure your alarm monitoring company has your up-to-date emergency contact names and phone numbers so they can reach you.

False alarm fees

For years, Minneapolis has charged alarm owners to recover the costs associated with responding to false alarms. In spring 2007, Minneapolis updated its fees related to false alarms. They are:

First false alarm: $30 registration fee

Second false alarm: $100 penalty

Third false alarm: $200 penalty

The fee continues climb by $100 for each additional false alarm. (The fourth false alarm is $300 and so on.)

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Communications Department
301M City Hall
Minneapolis, MN 55415

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