In 2007, Overland Park police responded to 165,942 calls for service. Almost 4 percent of all these calls were to security, residential and commercial alarms. Of the 6,328 alarm calls, 1,707 were cancelled prior to the officer’s arrival, and only 27 were the result of actual or attempted criminal activity. The remaining 4,594 were false alarms.
Fines for False Alarms
Each alarm system user with a valid permit will be allowed two false alarms per calendar year before a fee is assessed for having excessive false alarms. Alarm users installing a new system or taking over an existing system will be allowed one additional alarm with no fee due if they have a valid permit prior to activation and the alarm occurs during the first 45 days of operation.
Each alarm activation resulting in police response is reviewed as to the type, cause and known circumstances. The Alarm Coordinator's office will notify the permit holder, in writing, of each false alarm response recorded. Any alarm system, which records more than the allowed number of false alarms within a period of one calendar year, will be subject to the following fees:
| First and second chargeable false alarms | No fee |
| Third chargeable false alarm | $50 |
| Fourth chargeable alarm | $100 |
| Fifth chargeable alarm | $150 |
| Sixth chargeable false alarm | $200 |
| Seventh and each subsequent chargeable false alarm | $250 |
The Chief of Police has the authority to suspend police response to alarm activations from any alarm system that records ten (10) or more chargeable false alarms within a calendar year.
Appealing a False Alarm Notice:
Any alarm user assessed a chargeable false alarm may appeal such an assessment to the Chief of Police. For an appeal to be considered, it must be filed, in writing by the alarm permit holder, within fifteen (15) calendar days of the false alarm notice. Any supporting information from monitoring, utility, or service companies, etc. pertaining to the appeal must be submitted, in writing, by the system user. Faulty equipment, overly sensitive equipment, and user error will not be accepted as grounds for an appeal.
Canceling a False Alarm
A false alarm dispatch can be canceled only by the alarm
monitoring
station, please have your monitoring stations number posted by the
phone. You must have the proper code to request a cancellation and it
is strongly suggested you use the verbiage "cancel". Calling the
police
direct to cancel will not be accepted.
Understand Your Alarm System
Be aware of what it can and cannot do. Be familiar with all the details of operating the system and receive verbal and written instructions covering all functions. Check to see if animals, hanging signs or rapid climate changes will activate the alarm system.
Proper preventive maintenance will assist in identifying any problems with the system and minimize your exposure to false alarms.
For more information, download a summary of the alarm ordinance or see section 5.06 of the municipal code.
If you have any additional questions about alarm systems, please contact the Alarm Coordinator at 913/327-6722.