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Alarms

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1. *Are false alarms a problem in Lombard?

Yes. The Lombard Police Department responds to approximately 15-20 false alarms per day. Responding to a false burglar alarm call consumes an average of 27 minutes, per alarm, per officer-and represents as many as 18 hours of police time per day! Thus, officers are diverted from actual emergencies, proactive patrol, and community-policing activities.

2. *What are the most frequent errors that cause false alarms?

• Accidental activation by cleaning crews, new employees, children, house sitters
• Using incorrect keypad codes
• Failing to train authorized users
• Failure to secure doors and windows once the alarm is turned on
• Wandering pets
• Failure by businesses to notify monitoring company of unscheduled openings and closings
• Not requiring the monitoring company to notify persons on the contact list before calling the police
• Improper installation of equipment
• Faulty equipment, keypads, batteries, panels, detectors
• Helium-filled balloons

3. *What is a false alarm?

A false alarm occurs when a security system is activated where there is no emergency - whether it is activated willfully, unintentionally, negligently, or inadvertently. It also includes a system activated due to mechanical or electrical malfunction.

A false alarm does not occur when an alarm system is activated by an attempted or actual illegal entry, theft, or robbery; an observable act of vandalism; unusually violent conditions of nature; testing or repairing of telephone or electrical line or equipment outside the premises, so long as prior notice of the testing or repair is given to the Lombard Police Department.