Calgary Police Service to charge new alarm fees for homes and businesses

Calgary police will soon chargenew fees for alarm system permitsand will stop responding to homes and businesses that don't have a valid one.

The Calgary Police Service hasjust approved changes tohow and when officers respond to alarm calls.

Beginning May 15, when an alarm is triggered, alarm companies must attempt to contact at least two key holders before calling police to the scene.

Later this year, Calgary 9-1-1 will no longer sendpolice to premises where:

• no valid alarm permit exists;
• the permit is suspended;
• the call is within 14 days of installation; or
• the alarm agency is not properly licensed.

Police will also no longer be dispatched to commercial premises during regular businesshours, as indicated on theregistered alarm permit.

"This is really bringing us in line with what other jurisdictions are doing," said AlisonTurgeon,alarm coordinator with CPS.

96% of alarms are false, says CPS

The changes are meant to update a"fairly outdated" bylaw,recoupcosts and reduce repeated false alarms, Turgeon said.

She said officerscurrently respond to approximately 45 alarm calls each day, 96 per cent of which are deemed to be false alarms.

False alarm feesand annual permit rates for homes and businesses have yet to be determined.

Licensedalarm agencies will be charged the penaltyfor requesting police assistance in the event of a false alarm.

Calgary police will continue to respond to all calls involving panic, hold-up, duress, two-activation alarms or confirmed criminal activity on site.

TurgeonexpectsCalgarywill see improved call response timeswith no increased risk to the public.

With files from The Homestretch