HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7290 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.7290 P . 1
June 7 , 1988
f0*7 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
X Subject: Update on Amendments to False Alarms Ordinance
Background
In November of 1987, staff recommended to the City Council amendments
to the existing false burglary and robbery alarm ordinance. One of the
proposed amendments suggested the inclusion of residential alarm sys-
tems under the requirements of the existing ordinance. At that time,
the Council suggested a further review of key provisions of the pro-
posed amendments.
Over the past six months staff has researched the various structures
And effectiveness of numerous alarm ordinances in an attempt to address
the major concerns expressed by the Council . The conclusion reached by
staff is that the existing alarm ordinance structure is most effective
in addressing the volume of false alarms experienced by the City of
Fort Worth.
The problem of residential false alarms continues to grow. On average,
the Fort Worth Police Department responds to over 2,813 false alarm
calls each month (See attachment A) . Residential false alarms now ac-
count for 45 percent of these calls for service, up from 25 percent of
such calls received in 1985 (Attachment B) . Graphs showing total false
alarm calls are also attached (Attachments C and D) .
Total false alarms are projected to increase by 12.7 percent or 3,811
alarms this fiscal year . Residential false alarms will account for the
entire increase (Commercial alarms are expected to decline by 251
alarms and Other alarms are projected to decrease by 96) .
Another way to view the false alarm problem is to consider the staff
resources required to respond to these calls for service. For example,
this fiscal year , the annual work time equivalent of nine (9) police
officers will be expended answering only false alarm calls. A graph
showing the allocation of annual officer hours by type of false alarm
is shown in Attachment E. While more officer hours are spent answering
commercial false alarms, the revenues received from commercial false
alarm service fees (FY' 87 - $146,954) exceed the personnel costs ex-
pended. This year revenues from commercial false alarm service fees
are anticipated to reach $186,977. These fees will offset the person-
nel costs of about 6.02 officers. As shown in Attachment F only 4.70
annual officer hours will be expended an commercial false alarms. Com-
mercial false alarm service fees are subsidizing police responses to
residential false alarms.
Recommended Alarm Ordinance Structure
While formulating the existing false alarm ordinance, in 1983, staff
reviewed over 25 ordinances including the Model Burglar and Hold-Up
Alarm Systems Ordinance developed by the International Association of
Chiefs of Police.
-ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. P .
00 QRT To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 7 , 1988
Subject: Update on Amendments to False Alarms Ordinance
The structure of the existing ordinance was formed by reviewing what
was effective in similar jurisdictions in terms of population and false
alarm call volume. In cities where false alarm calls exceeded 10,000
to 12,000, a flat service fee structure appeared to be more effective
in reducing the number of false alarms and in service fee collection
efforts. Ordinances whose service fees had several layers were found
to be more punitive and more difficult to administer . Currently, the
cities of Houston and Arlington are the two largest cities in the state
with multiple levels of service fees. Houston has experienced' some
difficulty in collecting service fees to the point of filing liens on
property. Arlington is researching the benefits of converting from a
multiple layered service fee structure to a flat structure such as
ours.
Another concern of the City Council was the proposed cost of permits
for residential system. Staff proposed that a $15 two-year permit fee
for residential system be established. This would be the same rate
currently charged for commercial systems. A process to waive permit
fees for low income residents could be developed at Council ' s direc-
tion.
001b. The manner in which alarm systems for apartments would be permitted un-
der the ordinance is another outstanding issue. Staff's recommendation
to the Council is that all apartment complexes units be required to ob-
tain a permit for each unit . The management of the complex would be
required to obtain a $50 two-year permit fee for each 100 unit permit .
Each permit would allow for four free false alarms.
Summary
To address the increasing problem of residential false alarms, staff
recommends the following:
inclusion of residential alarm systems under the
requirements of the existing ordinance.
set the cost for a two-year permit for residential
systems at $15.00.
provide for a $50.00 permit fee per 100 units for
apartment complexes.
In the absence of additional Council direction, staff will proceed with
the development of an ordinance amending the existing Emergency Report-
ing Equipment and Procedures Ordinance.
Douglas Harman
City Manager
-ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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