False Alarm Enforcement

False Alarm Ordinance

Purpose of the False Alarm Ordinance

The purpose of this alarm ordinance is to inform alarm users regarding their responsibilities, to provide alarm system education and training where necessary, and to decrease the number of false alarms responded to by the North Miami Beach Police Department.

Definitions

Alarm Site

Single premise or location served by an alarm system.  Each tenancy, if served by a separate alarm system in a multi-tenant complex shall be considered a separate alarm site.

Alarm User

Any person or entity, which uses an alarm system at its alarm site.

False Alarm

An alarm dispatch request to the Police Department, when the responding officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after having completed a timely investigation at the alarm site location.  An alarm dispatch request, which is canceled by the alarm user prior to the time the responding officer reaches the alarm site, shall not be considered a false alarm.

Provisions of Ordinance

Electrical Permit

An electrical permit must be obtained before installing an alarm system in any residence or business.

Alarm Permits

If an alarm user has 8 or more false alarms in a Fiscal Year (October 1st - September 30th), he/she will be required to register for an alarm permit with the North Miami Beach Police Department. The cost of the permit is $50.00.  In addition, he/she will be required to meet certain mandates regarding his/her alarm system.  Each permit will expire September 30th of every given year.  An alarm user will not be required to renew their permit for the New Year unless they are identified as having 8 or more false alarms in the previous Fiscal Year.

Fines for False Alarms Within the Fiscal Year (October 1 - September 30)

Alarm Education Training

Any alarm system user upon reaching the sixth false alarm in a fiscal year will be required to attend an alarm education-training program at the North Miami Beach Police Department. In addition, the alarm user will be required to submit documentation to the City of North Miami Beach that a licensed alarm company has inspected their alarm system and that it is functioning properly.

Appeal Process

1. An alarm user shall have 15 days of notification of a false alarm to request a hearing. This request shall be made in writing to the False Alarm Officer at the North Miami Beach Police Department.
2. All requests must be accompanied by filing a bond in cash, money order, or certified check.
3. An appeal hearing will be scheduled and within 10 working days a written report regarding the appeal shall be made available to the alarm user.

Failure to comply with any part of the enacted ordinance can result in additional fine and/or liens placed on the alarm user’s business or residence and/or non-renewal of an occupational license.