February 15, 2006—A controversial new policy in Dallas has gone into effect. It no longer requires police officers to respond to activated burglar alarms belonging to businesses that renew their alarm permits.
Alarm companies, which now find themselves contracting with private security guard firms to provide alarm response, say they’re not ready for the transition to the city’s new restricted alarm policy.
Due in large part to the city’s 97 percent false alarm rate, the City Council voted 8-5 in December to institute a “verified response” policy, under which police respond only to alarm panic buttons and calls in which someone has identified a suspected break-in.
The new policy will apply once current business alarm permits are renewed. Officers may also use their discretion to respond to burglar alarms in high-crime areas or at businesses that have been regularly burglarized.
For more information, visit the Web site of the city of Dallas.
