BACKGROUND
FALSE ALARM REDUCTION UNIT
NOW THE LAW WORKS
Security alarm systems serve as useful
deterrents to crime. The presence of an
alarm system not only reduces your chance
of being burglarized but can minimize any
loss in the event of a burglary.
The False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU)
of the Cincinnati Police Department was
created to administer Chapter 807 of the
Cincinnati Municipal Code. The main
function of the unit is to reduce the number
of false alarms to which Cincinnati police
officers must respond. The FARU will
register all alarm users. Civil monetary
penalties will be levied on the alarm user
for excessive false alarms.
The City of Cincinnati Police Department
responds to more than 30,000 alarm calls
per year. 80% of the calls are determined
to be false alarms.
The False Alarm Reduction Unit must
collect an escalating false alarm fee from
the alarm user beginning with the third false
alarm during a 12-month period. The fees
range from $50.00 to $800.00. The penalty
for operating an unregistered alarm system
is $1 00.00. Additional fees may apply.
COST TO THE TAXPAYER
ALARM USER REGISTRATION
FALSE ALARM FEE SCHEDULE
(Based on a twelve-month PERIOD
RESPONSE
FEE AMOUNT PER
RESPONSE
1 St
none
2nd
none
A typical response to an alarm involves two
police officers and takes 20 - 30 minutes
each. With over 24,000 false alarms annually
the cost to the Police Department, and you
the taxpayer, is over $500,000 per year.
This is time and money that could be better
utilized making Cincinnati a safer and more
enjoyable community in which to live.
3rd
$ 50.00*
4th
$ 75.00
5th
$ 100.00
6th
$ 150.00
7th
$200.00
8th
$ 300.00
9th
$400.00
1Oth
$500.00
11th or more
$800.00
t
WHAT IS A FALSE ALARM
*Fee may be waived if user attends an
Alarm School Training session offered
by the Cincinnati Police Department.
Chapter 807 of the Cincinnati Municipal
Code defines a false alarm as ''Any alarm
activation or signal that alerts a government
organization which is not the result of an
actual or threatened emergency requiring
their immediate response.''
ALARM SCHOOL
APPEALS
Anyone may register to attend the Alarm
User School offered by the Police Department
free of charge. The school gives valuable
information on the prevention of false alarms
and understanding your alarm system.
This simply means that if a police officer
responds to an alarm signal and, after
investigation, finds no evidence to support
the alarm activation, the officer will designate
the alarm as a false alarm.
Any alarm user may appeal the fee charged
by the FARU for a false alarm. The appeal
must be submitted within 30 days of
notification of the assessment and must
include a $25.00 administrative fee. The fee
is fully refundable if the appeal is upheld.
For registration information, contact the
FARU at (513) 352-1272.