Show All Answers

1. What is the false alarm ordinance?

 The False Alarm Ordinance was passed by the City Council in April 2007.  Enforcement began in August 2007. The False Alarm Ordinance was passed to reduce the number of false alarms Police Officers respond to. Two officers need to respond to each alarm even if it turns out to be a false alarm.  They spend about 15 minutes at each false alarm call. 

Number of Calls

In 2006 Police Officers responded to 4,200 alarm calls.  Only 2% of those alarms resulted in an actual crime or an attempted crime.  That means approximately 4,000 of those alarms were false alarms. The time spent by officers at false alarms means less time for them to spend with citizens or businesses that have an actual need to meet with officers.

2. What is a false alarm?

A false alarm is notification of an alarm to the police department when the responding authority finds no evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense.

3. What does the false alarm ordinance requires residents to do?

If you have a burglary or robbery alarm installed or are planning on getting one installed then you must fill out an Alarm Permit Application with the City of El Monte.

Fees

There is an application fee of $25 that must be turned in as well. The Alarm Permit expires December 31st of every year and must be renewed. The renewal fee is $25. 

Inspections

The alarm system must be inspected before renewal by a licensed technician usually supplied by the alarm company which installed the alarm.

4. Are there fee exemptions in the alarm ordinance?

Yes!  There are fee exemptions allowed in the Alarm Ordinance. Exemptions include the following people:

• Low income seniors who are 62 years or older and meet a minimum income requirement based on the number of people living in the household
• Disabled persons
• Honorably discharged disabled veterans

5. What are common causes of false alarms?

• Inadequate training of people allowed access to your security system (children, neighbors, cleaning personnel, real estate agents, guests, relatives, babysitters, service and delivery personnel, etc.)
• Weak system batteries
• Open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows
• Drafts from heaters and air conditioning systems that move plants, curtains, balloons, etc.
• Wandering pets

6. Are there fines for false alarms?

Yes, there are. Each applicant can have three false alarms in a year before being fined for a false alarm.

• 1st False alarm: No Penalty
• 2nd False alarm: No Penalty
• 3rd False alarm: No Penalty
• 4th False alarm/1st Violation: $100
• 5th False alarm/2nd Violation: $125
• 6th False alarm/3rd Violation: $150
• 7th False alarm/4th Violation: $200
• Every False Alarm/Violation thereafter: $200