Legislation was recently passed by the City of Salisbury with the purpose of lowering the penalties for false alarms and reducing false dispatches. Ordinance 2326 requires alarm companies to use Enhanced Call Verification (ECV), which is simply the process of calling two contacts prior to police dispatch. ECV is already in place in many other jurisdictions (including Delaware and Virginia) and is statistically proven to significantly reduce false dispatches without compromising service or increasing costs to security customers.
A. All central monitoring stations that handle residential or commercial intrusion and/or burglar alarm activations shall make two (2) phone calls in an attempt to verify the validity of any monitored alarm activation prior to calling the Salisbury Police Department to request a dispatch.
B. Alarm users have the option to opt out of the Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) Program. If an alarm company or alarm agent has received a written request from a verified alarm user to Opt Out of ECV, the alarm company or alarm agent is not required by this Chapter to provide ECV to any such alarm user.
Going forward, the central monitoring station will attempt to contact you at the first two phone numbers we have on file (typically the premise, and the first person on your call list) prior to dispatching the Salisbury Police. This requirement DOES NOT apply to fire alarm, hold-up, panic button, or duress code alarms. If we do NOT reach someone with the proper password at either of the two phone numbers, the police will then be dispatched.
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to update your call list or other account information, please call us at 410-546-2210.
More information on this and other related ordinances is available here:
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ord2326.pdf
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ord2233.pdf
http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ord2230.pdf
Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.
Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.
For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.
March 28, 2013
Salisbury, MD – SECOND UPDATE – False Alarm Fines/Fees
We have just been informed that reconsideration of the new false alarm ordinances has been scheduled for 4:30PM, Monday, April 1st in room 306 of the Government Office Building.
Please attend and show your opposition to the significantly increased costs, and your support for those council members who want to fix the issue.
Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.
Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.
For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.
March 27, 2013 Salisbury, MD – The City of Salisbury has passed an ordinance changing the fees/fines charged for false alarms. Council members are on record stating to the news media that they have reduced the false alarm fees, however this is incorrect. Not only are the new fees higher, but they are also higher than virtually any other jurisdiction in the country.
82% of those subject to the fees will see a 155% increase in costs on average.
As shown below, the home or business that experiences a third false alarm sees a 392% increase in the fee/fine. Any location experiencing 3-10 false alarms will pay a higher fee than before. On the other end of the spectrum, those using/abusing the city’s resources the most, with 14 false alarms, receive a 42% discount.
In summation, the vast majority of those affected by a false alarm fee will pay more, significantly more. The very small number of people experiencing 11 or more false alarms in a year, are the only ones benefiting from a fee reduction, yet they are the ones putting the most strain on the city’s limited resources.
Giving “frequent flyer discounts” to those who have the most calls for service is totally contrary to the purpose of the fee/fine.
Escalating fee/fine structures like the one Salisbury had in place prior to this change, are in use in almost all jurisdictions across the country, are proven to significantly reduce the number of false alarms, and have been successfully defended in many courts.
Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.
Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.
For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.