Published July 6 2015
In an effort to cut the number of false alarms in Bellevue, which cost more than $125,000 in police officer staff time last year, the city will begin requiring annual registration of all residential and commercial alarms in the city, starting Monday, July 6.
In 2014, Bellevue police officers respond to 3,871 false alarms. The city has hired Public Safety Corporation to track and collect payment for repeat false alarms through its CryWolf software. Other jurisdictions using CryWolf have seen false alarms drop by 40 to 80 percent.
"The false alarm reduction program is an opportunity to better serve the citizens of Bellevue," Police Chief Steve Mylett said. "Reducing the number of false alarms means more officers available for emergency calls and proactive patrols."
Many false alarms occur because of homeowners' and businesses' inexperience with their alarms; the alarm triggered as people try to disarm or reset it without the right code. Pets may also set off alarms when they trip motion sensors. Police must go to the location when dispatchers can't reach the home or business owner because of outdated contact information.
The new ordinance will require from you and your alarm company:
- $25 annual registration ($12 for seniors and permanently disabled citizens);
- enhanced call verification: two calls are made by the alarm company to homeowners upon alarm activation; and
- false alarm fines: $100 for burglar alarms and $200 for panic/holdup alarms. The penalty will be waived the first time for either kind of alarm if the owner takes an alarm user class.
People can register their alarms this year any time between July 6 and September 30. Annual registration is required; but people who register their alarms this year will not have to register again until January 2017.
Annual registration allows residents and businesses to update all contact information at the time of renewal, which maintains the effectiveness of enhanced call verification. Alarms will need to be registered every January for the following calendar year.
Alarm registration is available online.
Questions or Comments? Contact CryWolf (1-855-694-8280 (toll-free) or bellevuewa@publicsafetycorp.com