False Alarm Program
(206) 684-7713

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are False Alarms a Significant Problem?
What is a False Alarm?
Why is there a fee for False Alarms?
How does SPD know if a company is licensed?
Will the police still respond to emergencies if my alarm company is not licensed?
What does the Alarm Industry say about the policy?
Will the police still respond to emergencies if my alarm company is not licensed?
Are there any other policies being enacted in Jan 2009?
Who can I contact if I have more questions about alarms and police reponse?

Are false alarms a significant problem?

Yes. In 2007, Seattle Police officers were dispatched to 14,119 alarm calls.  Only 332 (2.4%) of these were valid alarms where there was physical evidence of a crime.  False alarms cost the citizens of Seattle approximately $1.2 million dollars in 2007 and displaced officers from their regular patrol areas and directed them to locations where no crime was occurring.

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What is a false alarm ?

A false alarm is defined in Seattle Municipal Code §6.10.005 as, “the notification to the Seattle Police Department or Seattle Fire Department concerning the activation of an alarm system or alarm device when: 

1. There is no evidence of a crime or other activity that warrants the assistance of the Seattle Police Department on the premises, as indicated by the investigation of a police officer on the scene or by the lack of a police report filed by the property owner, and no individual who was on or near the premises or who had viewed a video communication from the premises called for the dispatch or confirmed a need for police response; or 

2. There is no indication or presence of a fire on the premises, that warrants a call for assistance from or investigation by the Seattle Fire Department, and no individual who was on or near the premises or who had viewed a video communication from the premises called for the dispatch or confirmed a need for fire response; or 

3. The dispatch of police or fire personnel was cancelled by the alarm system monitoring company, whether the alarm was cancelled before or after the arrival of police or fire personnel at the alarm site.”

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Why is there a fee for false alarms?

The City of Seattle charges alarm companies $90.00 for every false alarm.  Alarm companies may pass this fee onto their customers.

The $90.00 fee is used to recover the costs of running the False Alarm Unit and sending officers to false alarms.  The $90.00 fee is imposed when an officer responds to and arrives at a location where an alarm is determined to be false.  There is a $30.00 fee imposed if the officer is dispatched, but the call is canceled before the officer arrives.  Cancellations before dispatch do not incur a fee.  The City’s Department of Executive Administration – Revenue and Consumer Affairs (DEA-RCA), coordinates the billing for false alarms, as well as the licensing of the alarm companies. 

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How does SPD know if a company is licensed?

Each licensed alarm company is issued a Unique Identifying Number (UIN) by DEA-RCA.  This UIN is required to be given to the 911 call-taker when an alarm is called into the Seattle Police Department.  Billing is facilitated by this UIN, but companies without a UIN require more investigation for the City to recover their costs.  Effective January 1, 2009, if a company cannot provide a UIN to the 911 call-taker, the call will not be accepted or dispatched.

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Will the police still respond to emergencies if my alarm company is not licensed?

The Seattle Police Department will respond to any and all robbery/panic/duress alarms regardless of whether or not the alarm company is licensed.

What does the alarm industry say about the policy?

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The Washington Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (WBFAA) completely endorses the implementation of this policy.  

The WBFAA states, “It would level the playing field, ensuring that all companies are playing by the same rules and are in compliance with the effective Seattle Municipal Code.  Further, it will have a positive effect on the overall goal of reducing false alarm dispatches and providing cost recovery for the city.  This proposal has the unequivocal support of the WBFAA.  There is no rationale to support enforcing the law with one segment of the industry while providing the same benefits to members of the industry who are not in compliance.” 

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If my alarm company is not on the list of licensed companies, what should I do?

Alarm companies have until January 1, 2009 to get all of the necessary licenses.  Every alarm company, licensed and unlicensed, that the Seattle Police Department is aware of has received a letter explaining this new policy.  Additionally, notification has been made through two alarm industry associations - the Washington Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (WBFAA) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).  Two months is ample time to apply for and receive a license.  Customers with legal questions regarding the legality of their contract with an unlicensed alarm company should contact an attorney, the Better Business Bureau and/or the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

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Are there any other policies being enacted in January 2009?

Yes, Seattle Municipal Code §10.08.165 (D) requires alarm companies to utilize Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) before calling the police.  ECV is a monitoring procedure requiring that the alarm company, prior to making an alarm dispatch request by calling 911, make a minimum of two phone calls in an attempt to verify the validity of the alarm.  This is done by calling the location of the alarm first and then a secondary number determined by the subscriber, often a cell phone number.  ECV has quickly become an alarm industry standard, and it is estimated that ECV eliminates 30-50% of all false alarm dispatches.  ECV is only required for burglary alarms, not hold-up or panic alarms.  Alarm companies that have not utilized ECV when they call 911 will be instructed to call back after they have made two attempts to verify the validity of the alarm.  The alarm companies will be required to give the phone numbers called to the 911 call-taker before the call will be accepted for dispatch.

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Who can I contact if I have more questions about alarms and police reponse?

Call the Seattle Police Department’s False Alarm Unit at
(206) 684-7713.  They will be able to answer your questions and also offer a free alarm user workshop at least once a month.  Attendance at this class provides alarm users with a waiver of one false alarm fee, or can be held and used for a future false alarm.  For large community groups or businesses, they will bring the class to you.  There are also fee waivers available for other alarm events including private guard options and upgrading to modern equipment.

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MORE INFORMATION

Your Alarm Company and/or Monitoring Center is your primary point of contact for all false alarm questions.

SEE LIST OF LICENSED COMPANIES

For additional information, visit the City of Seattle's alarm-system monitoring law web site

Other questions concerning -false alarms issues may be directed to Seattle Police Department Alarm Unit at (206) 684-7713 or e-mail at false.alarms@seattle.gov