HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7152 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7152
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ofFOrrr�A To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 4, 1986
VOL ;hX Subject: AMENDMENT TO Ms"NN"E
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In 1984, the City Council adopted an ordinance designed to reduce the
number of commercial false alarms. The ordinance has been effective,
despite a continued increase in the total number of false alarms.
During the 1985-86 fiscal year, commercial false alarms dropped some
4.7 percent from the preceding fiscal year, while total false alarms
increased by 7.3 percent. A major factor contributing to the
increasing number of .false alarms is the escalating residential false
alarm rate. Residential false alarms increased by over 30.8 percent
during the same period.
During a presentation to the Council on January 14, 1986, the Council
was informed by staff that the Police Department would begin to
contact owners of problem residential alarm systems to inform them of
the impact of their systems on public safety resources. The effort to
secure voluntary compliance has not been effective. Several months
ago, the Greater Fort Worth Alarm Association (GFWAA) wrote the City
Council and approached the staff of the Police Department, requesting
that the ordinance be amended to include residential alarm systems.
The Police Chief reviewed the request of the GFWAA and believes that
the extension of the ordinance would help redirect police resources to
more critical law enforcement functions. Additionally, a review of
the ordinance would allow staff the opportunity to address the
potential impact of telephone auto-dial units on the 9-1-1 system and
to recommend other techinal adjustments.
Unless the Council objects, staff will meet with representatives of
the GFWAA and neighborhood groups to develop a fair and effective
amendment to the ordinance.
Additional information will be furnished upon request.
Douglas Ha man
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS