MOdel Citites

1. no fee registration
2. attempted Central Station verification prior to dispatch
3. alarm cancellations accepted by police after dispatch
4. escalating false alarm fines $0 (1st),$25 (2nd),$50 (3rd), $100 (4, 5, 6th)
5. Optional alarm user awareness course in lieu of paying
   fine on 2nd ($25), 3rd ($50), and 4th ($50) fined offenses
6. restricted response for a period of one year after 6th false alarm

1. Alarm verification by the central station prior to dispatch
2. Acceptance of alarm cancellation by the police after the dispatch
3. Alarm user awareness classes
4. Restricted response (no response to property alarms) after the 6th false alarm

Goal of the Model Cities Program

To significantly reduce the number of alarm dispatches in the face of a rapidly growing alarm base in the city.

Results of the Program

Bellevue was able to reduce alarm dispatches from 6,861 in 1994 to 5,960 in 1995. More significantly, the rate of the dispatch for the seven month period after the new policy was put into effect was down 34% vs the five month period of 1995 prior to implementation of the new policy (408) dispatches per month after
June 1 vs 621 per month before June 1).

If the pre-June rate of dispatch had continued for the full year, Bellevue would have experienced the highest historical total number of dispatches of 7,452. If the post-June 1 rate of dispatch had been experienced for the full year, the total number of dispatches would have been 4,896.

The 1996 year to date rate shows a continuation of the progress with an average monthly rate of 360 dispatches - down from the 408 per month during the seven months of 1995 under the new policy. If this rate continues for the full year, alarm
dispatches will be down 27.5% over 1995.

All raw statistics were provided by Det. Mike Beckdolt of the Bellevue Police Department.
Telephone:206-455-6916 Fax: 206/688-2812.

Elgin, Illinois

Executive Summary as of May 31, 1996
General Overview

1. Elgin's population is approximately 85,000.
2. There are 2255 alarm systems.
3. Out of the 2255 systems:
   *1031 are commercial (45.8%)
   *1224 are residential (54.2%)
4. The number of false alarms were:
   
   

   	Total	Residential	Commercial
   1994	4267	N/A	N/A
   1995	3257	685	2572
   1996 thru May '96	1144	229	915

   
   
5. The number of false alarms per system per year were:
   
   

   	Total	Residential	Commercial
   	2.57	N/A	N/A
   	1.50	.58	2.60
   	1.22	.45	2.13

   
   
6. 130 Alarm service/installation companies are participating.
7. Other statistical information:
   Commercial accounts only: (1996 annualized)
   Central station connected accounts - 1.90 false alarms per system per year.
   Direct connect accounts - 5.48 false alarms per system per year.
8. False alarm response now represents less than 5% of all Elgin response activity. 13 rebuilt financial institutions at 1.7 false alarm factor for 1995 vs 30 non-rebuilt financial institutions at a false alarm factor of 11.
9. Progress charts and graphs are available.
   
   
   Ordinances:
   
   
10. Date enacted: January 1, 1995
11. Key elements (including fining schedule):
    - Alarm user permit required - no charge
    - $300 fine for response to non-permitted system
    - 30 minute time-out on outside audibles
    - False alarm fine structure:
    1-4 False Alarms - No Charge
    5-8 False Alarms - $100/False Alarm
    9-10 False Alarms- $200/False Alarm
    10+ False Alarms - $300/False Alarm Plus
    
    Revocation of permit
    There is an appeals process in place and the ability to get the
    alarm permit reinstated on proof of effort to comply. A
    subsequent false alarm again revokes the permit, however.
12. We have no data that I am aware of to prove rate of compliance.
    Seems generally well accepted by the community.
13. Special feature: Failure to respond after 10 false alarms
14. Restricted response has been previously addressed.
15. No special problems at this time.
16. The key elements of success are serious minded enforcement by
    the Elgin Police Department with Chief Gruber's complete support.
17. The key element which inhibited progress is the natural
    tendency to resist change and face the facts by both subscribers
    and many alarm companies that there is a serious false alarm
    concern and that something can be done to help it.
18. The major task involving police is the collection of an
    accurate database and meaningful communication with both the
    subscribers and the alarm company.
19. The major involvement by the alarm companies were to committing
    resources to customer site visits, user education and convincing
    problem accounts that there are solutions to their false alarm
    problems.
    
20. The degree of involvement with the community at large was
    mainly education concerning the need for and requirements of the
    new ordinance.
    
21. The greatest challenge faced was that the complacency of many, both subscribers and alarm companies, was not easy to overcome. Many either never recognized or, instead, denied the problem.
    
22. The goal of the Model City program in our community is the reduction of false alarms to a standard of .4 commercial and .2 residential false alarms per system per year.
    
23. The project is only 18 months old and still moving toward the accomplishment of the goals.
    
24. Financial factors: All efforts to date were from volunteers so no budget was required.
    
25. Cost of response? Unknown
26. Cost of administration is unknown but significant.