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Alarms
In 2008 the Menlo Park police responded
to 1593 alarms. Of those responses only 2 were actual emergencies.
Studies have consistently shown that 99% of the alarms police
respond to are false. Causes of these alarms are usually user
error, opening and closing errors, or equipment malfunctions.
Each alarm response requires a minimum of 2 patrol officers
and averages 20 minutes per officer per alarm. As you can
see, false alarms negatively impact the overall safety of
the community by diverting officers from actual emergencies
and other legitimate calls for service.
The alarm ordinance encourages accountability
and responsibility by charging alarm owners for false alarms.
The fee for false alarms is currently $175.00
per incident for residential alarms. High Risk alarms, such as Bank Robbery Alarms, are $350.00 per incident.
In 2004, the Menlo Park City Council
authorized the Police Department to require all residential
and commercial alarm owners in Menlo Park to register for
an Alarm System Permit. The alarm permit requires alarm users
to provide the police department with the names and phone
numbers of up to three persons who can respond to the premises
if the need arises. The alarm permit fee is $25.00 and is
a one time only fee. Owners will be provided with a numbered
alarm permit to be displayed at the front entrance of the
premise.
Alarm applications are available at the Menlo Park Police
Department or you can contact a member of our Communications
staff at 650-330-6317.
or Click Here to
view and print the Alarm Permit
Application
- Alarm owners MUST obtain an alarm
permit from the Police Department
- Audible external alarm systems
must reset within 30 minutes and stop sounding
- Alarms MUST have a battery back
up power supply to assure continued operation should a power
outage occur and prevent false alarms
- Know the procedure for canceling
false alarms with their alarm companies
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