California town seeks to reduce false alarms

Vallejo police are seeking the go-ahead to further crack down on false security alarm calls.

The City Council on Tuesday will hear a report about proposed amendments to strengthen a July 2007 ordinance that was meant to reduce unnecessary false calls to police.

In a report released this week for the Vallejo City Council, Police Chief Robert Nichelini said that ordinance’s provisions have curbed the more than 6,000 annual average false alarms by only 9 percent in the past two years.

Though the police department averages $340,000 a year in fines due for false alarm calls, less than $140,000 has been successfully collected, according to the department report.

Those who do not pay the false alarm fines are put on a police “no response” list.

With modifications to the city law, alarm system owners would be required to register and receive a permit from the city. This would allow the department to identify the owner and know whom to bill after receiving the false alarm call, the report states.

The department is also proposing the hiring of a firm to manage the billing, noticing and warning duties related to the ordinance.

BY JESSICA A. YORK

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