About Home Security Alarms
Law enforcement personnel respond to thousands of false alarm calls yearly. These unnecessary responses result in an enormous burden in manpower and expense; which in turn reduces the time available to respond to real emergencies. In Brookhaven in 2016, there were approximately 4,145 false police alarms, costing the department roughly 7,793 man-hours at a cost of $194,815.
On January 1, 2019, the City of Brookhaven began enforcement of an ordinance (originally passed in Nov. 2017) which holds alarm companies (not individual homeowners) responsible for the registration of security alarms. The ordinance also holds alarm companies responsible for multiple false alarms.
Security Alarm Registration
CryWolf Services, Inc. is the alarm administrator for the City of Brookhaven. An alarm company can register the company or any of its customers the alarm via email to brookhavenga@alarm-billing.com. Under the City of Brookhaven false alarm ordinance, the alarm company is responsible for registration of its customers. Alarm companies are defined as individuals, companies or other entities engaged in the business of planning, installing, servicing, maintaining, repairing, and/or monitoring alarm systems. In addition, the Alarm Company must complete an alarm permit registration application for each of its customers.
Companies which monitor alarm systems, but do not install alarm equipment, are considered Alarm Companies and must register its customers in accordance with the Alarm Ordinance.
Penalties Against Alarm Companies for False Alarms
(in any 24-month period)
- First or second false alarm - warning only
- Third false alarm - $25
- Fourth and fifth false alarm - $125
- Sixth and successive false alarms - $250
What Can You Do to Help Reduce False Alarms
Major causes of false alarms:
- Unlocked or loose doors/ windows
- Children, Neighbors and Visitors
- Cleaning Crews/ Repairmen/ Pet Sitters
- Pets or other wildlife
- User Error
- Equipment Malfunction
Know what to do if you set your alarm off accidentally:
- First, don't panic. Carefully enter your disarm code to reset your system.
- Wait for your alarm company or central monitoring station to call, give your password or ID card number.
- Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your alarm company. If they do not call you, have the number posted by your control panel and contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
- You can arrange to have your alarm monitoring station call you or another designated person first before the police are called whenever your alarm is activated.
- If you are aware of a problem with the system, you can cancel the police dispatch.
DO NOT call 911 to cancel alarm activations--you must call your monitoring station.
