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CASE #1 <br /> <br />ADOPT ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN <br />ALARM SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF RAMSEY <br />By: Mike Auspos, Chief of Police <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />In 1987 and 1988 there were a total of 459 calls to respond to residential and commercial <br />alarms in the Cily of Ramsey. Of those 459 calls needing response, only 137 addresses are <br />recorded. That is, 322 responses were repeats to the same addresses. <br /> <br />Each response involved a "Code 3" effort by the officer receiving the call. Code 3 means red <br />lights and siren. A routine response, especially across City, would greatly reduce the advantage <br />gained by having an alarm installation. Every time an officer responds to an emergency, even <br />though he uses care and caution, there is a greater risk to himself and others than during the <br />course of normal driving, There is also increased wear and tear on equipment. <br /> <br />While our computer does not record the reason for a false alarm, or for that matter whether an <br />alarm is false or not, my observation and experience tells me that a very small number, <br />perhaps 1%, are in fact attempts by burglars or thieves to make entry, and perhaps 20% are <br />caused by power failure, storms, or true equipment malfunctions and/or user carelessness. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The number of false alarms need to be reduced, and the best way to accomplish that is to require <br />proper installation and owner maintenance/operation. Rather than require a permit be drawn <br />prior to installation and also require a fee for ail alarm systems (which could keep some <br />persons from installing an alarm), the permit should be required for persons or companies <br />failing to maintain or operate the systems properly. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />I recommend the Council adopt the alarm ordinance requiring permits as set forth in the <br />ordinance and set sanctions for those who do not comply. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion to: <br />Adopt Ordinance ¢89- <br />City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />which is an ordinance establishing an alarm system for the <br /> <br />Review Checklist: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />City Attorney <br />City =.Engineer <br />Communi*,y Devetcpmen~ Director <br /> <br />X Chief of Police . X <br /> Finsnce Officer <br /> Public Works Superintendent <br /> Other <br /> <br /> <br />