Success Story
City of Bridgeport Alarm Administrator Program
Honorable Mention 2004 FARA Public Safety False Alarm Achievement Award
Nominated By: Steve Pereira, City of Bridgeport
Rationale: I am a member of FARA and the CBFAA in the State of Connecticut. I would like to share with you the great work that has been accomplished in the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The City of Bridgeport has a population a daytime population of (approx) 185,000 (this number reflects a workforce commuting from outside the City) and an evening population of (approx) 140,000.
The Alarm Ordinance went into effect January 1, 2000, with the Alarm Coordinator on board by the middle of the month. The Alarm Administrator Program for the City of Bridgeport has been very successful in the reduction of the number of false alarms over the past four year. The program has also brought an increase in revenue and accountability of alarm users as well as alarm companies.
Although there are actually many components that help to make this program effective and successful, the basic outline is a modified alarm model and the cooperation/collaboration of alarm companies and the CBFAA.
The bottom line is that the City of Bridgeport Alarm Administrator Program really works!
Summary of Bridgeport Annual Report
PURPOSE OF THE ALARM ORDINANCE (Section 8.12.030 of the Municipal Code)
The purpose of the Ordinance is to encourage alarm users and Alarm businesses to maintain operational reliability and properly use alarm systems and to reduce false alarm dispatch requests and, thereby, prevent the misuse of police resources. This Ordinance governs systems intended to summon police response, requires permits, establishes fees, provides for penalties for violations, establishes a system of administration, and sets conditions for suspension or loss of permits.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES OF THE ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
Administers, controls and reviews alarm applications, registration, fines, penalties and civil judgments in accordance with City of Bridgeport Ordinance, Section 8.12.030 of the Municipal Code, to reduce the number of false alarms in the City.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
- Register all burglar alarm systems
- Administer the False Alarm Component of the CAD System
- Maintains accurate alarm records
- Create and disseminate educational materials related to proper alarm maintenance and operation
- Works with alarm owners and monitoring businesses to resolve false alarm problems
- Initiates punitive actions (warnings, fines, penalties and civil judgments)
- Collects registration fees and fines
- Interfaces with Alarm Appeals Officer to provide support documentation for appeals
MISSION OF THE OFFICE OF THE ALARM ADMINISTRATOR
The implementation and enforcement the City of Bridgeport Alarm Ordinance in an effort to reduce false dispatches that includes, but is not limited to:
- The administration/collection of alarm registration forms and fees as well as delinquency and non-compliance fines;
- The referral of persistent delinquent and non-compliance cases to City Attorney;
- The chronicling and analysis of the negative effect of high numbers of false alarms on local law enforcement and the surrounding community;
- The execution of Alarm User Awareness Workshops and
- Consultation/recommendation of corrective actions to be taken by alarm companies, owners and users.
False Alarm Ordinance Information for the City of Bridgeport
- The City of Bridgeport has had a False Alarm Ordinance as of January 2000
- In the City of Bridgeport, only commercial alarm system must be registered with Alarm Administrator
- Further, the alarm permit must be renewed annually (after 1 calendar year)
- The permit fee to register a commercial alarm system in Bridgeport is $10.00
- The penalty fee schedule for false alarms in the City of Bridgeport is as follows:
|
1st false dispatch free
2nd false dispatch free
3rd false dispatch free
4th false dispatch $50.00
5th false dispatch $50.00
|
6th false dispatch $50.00
7th false dispatch $99.00
8th false dispatch $99.00
9th false dispatch $99.00
10th false dispatch $99.00
11th false dispatch $99.00
|
There is an additional charge for each false dispatch for failure to register alarm of $99.00
- The City of Bridgeport Police Department is responsible for billing.
- The alarm data source is CAD (computer automated Dispatch)
- Suspend/Restrict Police response (revoke permit) Yes*
- How many until response suspended? 10
- Accept cancellations? Yes
- Require verification? No, require attempt
- Response priority? High
*Restricted response not enforced at this time
Bridgeport Alarm Administrator Summary October - 2003
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
False Alarms
From 1999 - Present
|
|
Reported False Alarms %
|
17%
|
22%
|
10.26%
|
8.1%
|
6.8%
|
6.18%
|
⇓73%
|
- 31% of all Alarm Sites are Commercial
- 51% of all False Alarms Dispatch (FAD) are Commercial
|
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
Total FAD (Commercial) %
|
3.71%
|
1.87%
|
1.78%
|
1.08%
|
- 69% of all Alarm Sites are Residential
- 46% of all False Alarms Dispatch (FAD) are Residential
|
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
Total FAD (Residential) %
|
1.85%
|
.83%
|
.83%
|
.41%
|
|
|
1997-1998
|
1998-1999
|
2000 (Projected)
|
|
Total FAD Increase (Commercial & Residential) %
|
9.9%
|
9.5%
|
⇑10%
|
|
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
Projected Cost w/o Alarm Administrator Unit (AAU)
|
Actual Police Dept. Time Cost for FAD 2002
|
|
Police Department Time Cost for FAD
|
$563,635.00
|
$567,270.00
|
$596,317.50
|
$652,967.66
|
$338,368.00
|
- We have identified 161 alarm company’s doing business in Bridgeport
- AAU has conducted 19 Alarm Users Awareness Classes, with over 235 alarm users attending
- Evaluation showed that 95% of attendees found the class very useful and informative
- 255+ sites visit consultations and corrective action recommendations
- We have collected $269,417.00 in fines and registration
Bridgeport Alarm Administrator Summary October - 2003
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
False Alarms
From 1999 - Present
|
|
Reported False Alarms %
|
17%
|
22%
|
10.26%
|
8.1%
|
6.8%
|
6.18%
|
⇓73%
|
- 31% of all Alarm Sites are Commercial
- 51% of all False Alarms Dispatch (FAD) are Commercial
|
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
Total FAD (Commercial) %
|
3.71%
|
1.87%
|
1.78%
|
1.08%
|
- 69% of all Alarm Sites are Residential
- 46% of all False Alarms Dispatch (FAD) are Residential
|
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
Total FAD (Residential) %
|
1.85%
|
.83%
|
.83%
|
.41%
|
|
|
1997-1998
|
1998-1999
|
2000 (Projected)
|
|
Total FAD Increase (Commercial & Residential) %
|
9.9%
|
9.5%
|
⇑10%
|
|
|
1997
|
1998
|
1999
|
Projected Cost w/o Alarm Administrator Unit (AAU)
|
Actual Police Dept. Time Cost for FAD 2002
|
|
Police Department Time Cost for FAD
|
$563,635.00
|
$567,270.00
|
$596,317.50
|
$652,967.66
|
$338,368.00
|
- We have identified 161 alarm company’s doing business in Bridgeport
- AAU has conducted 19 Alarm Users Awareness Classes, with over 235 alarm users attending
- Evaluation showed that 95% of attendees found the class very useful and informative
- 255+ sites visit consultations and corrective action recommendations
- We have collected $269,417.00 in fines and registration
|
