Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Alarm Response and False Alarm 81.2.12
Procedures
PRIOR REVISIONS
PROPONENT UNIT 02/28/01; 05/23/01,
Patrol Operations 12/18/19
ATTACHMENT:
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
40.10 07/01/1998 01/10/2022 8
I. PURPOSE: This Order defines alarms, and establishes a standardized response to valid and
false alarms by Gainesville Police Department personnel.
II. DEFINITIONS:
A. Alarm System: Any device that emits, transmits, or relays a signal intended to summon,
or that would reasonably be expected to summon, law enforcement services to the alarm
site. ‘Alarm system’ does NOT include devices:
1. Installed on vehicles, unless the vehicle is permanently located at the site;
2. Devices not audible or visible from the exterior of the structure that are designed to
alert only the inhabitants of the device site; or
3. Devices designed for a purpose other than to alert for intrusion, burglary or robbery.
B. False Alarm:
1. A false alarm means an alarm dispatch or other response by the Gainesville Police
Department when the responding officer(s) finds no evidence of a criminal offense or
attempted criminal offense after having completed an investigation of the site.
2. Exceptions to the Definition:
i Alarms occurring as a result of lightning, wind or other meteorological event, where
there is clear evidence of physical damage to the alarm system
ii Disruption of the telephone circuit beyond the control of the alarm operator or its
agents, verified by written communication from the phone company;
iii An electrical power disruption or failure in excess of four hours.
C. False Alarm Reduction Unit (F.A.R.U): A City/County combined Unit designated to
administer, control and review alarm applications, permits, and false alarm reduction
efforts.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
D. Notification of False Alarm Card: Card utilized by law enforcement to notify premise
owners/occupants of law enforcement response. The reverse side of the card is utilized
for alarm permit violation(s). This card is provided by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
False Alarm Reduction Unit. Department members shall obtain the cards from the patrol
forms area.
III. PROCEDURE:
A. General Response Procedures:
1. Department Response: Department personnel shall respond promptly to alarms,
ensuring the safety and security of Gainesville’s citizens and their property.
Responding officers will be guided by the relevant City of Gainesville ordinance(s) and
the False Alarm Reduction Unit’s (F.A.R.U.) procedures.
2. Alarm Receipt: The Gainesville Police Department will not physically monitor
residential, commercial or other types of hold-up or intrusion alarms. Alarms to which
Department personnel respond will be dispatched through the Combined
Communications Center, or be an on-site response, such as with officer or citizen-
initiated audible alarms.
3. False Alarms
i Billing: Pursuant to provisions stipulated in City Ordinance Article IV, Sections
21.50-69, and the Inter-Agency Agreement, the County’s F.A.R.U. shall record and
bill for false alarms per the fee schedule outlined by City ordinance.
ii Tracking: Shall be handled by the False Alarm Reduction Unit.
4. Keyholder / Site Responder:
i The person(s) listed on the alarm permit is required to respond to the site of the
alarm within 30 minutes if requested by GPD. Failure to respond within the time
limit, and at the Department’s request, results in a $50 fine.
ii On-scene officers shall request that Communications personnel make the contact,
and will notify the Communications Center immediately upon arrival of the
keyholder/responder for tracking purposes.
5. Alarm Verification Calls Required:
The alarm monitoring company is required to make a site call (to the alarm activation
location) to verify burglary and intrusion alarms that are centrally monitored.
Exceptions:
i If the alarm has properly operating visual or auditory sensors that enable the
monitoring company to verify the alarm signal.
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ii Calls to sites where robbery and/or panic alarms are activated.
6. Audible Alarm Deactivation: Audible alarms are required to be deactivated within
15 minutes of sounding.
7. Permitting:
i Permits for residential, governmental, or commercial properties are issued and
expire annually. A fee of $15, whether the application is for initial permitting or for
renewal, is collected.
ii Specific information is required for the permit application. Refer all questions to
the False Alarm Reduction Unit personnel at 264-6650.
8. Required Registration: Alarm monitoring companies and alarm system contractors
are required to register and submit an annual fee.
9. Prohibited Devices:
i Automatic direct dialers to law enforcement agencies or to the Combined
Communications Center.
ii Alarm systems with ‘One Plus Panic’ feature
iii Single action non-recessed activation switches for hold-up/panic alarms.
10. Required Devices/Battery Back-up: The ordinance requires that alarm systems
have a minimum of a four-hour auxiliary power supply.
B. Robbery Alarms: Generally applies to alarms received relative to open businesses:
1. Approach: Upon arrival at the scene of an alarm, sworn personnel should:
i Evaluate and cover potential escape routes,
ii Observe the business from concealed, strategic locations,
iii Pay attention to occupied parked vehicles and pedestrians who enter or exit the
business.
iv Identify and report any suspicious circumstances to Communications and other
responding units.
2. Contacting Business:
i After arrival and positioning, members may elect, after evaluating pedestrian
traffic, to telephone (usually via Communications) the business to determine if a
crime is in progress.
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ii A member who calls should identify him/herself as a law enforcement employee,
inform the person answering the phone that an alarm has been received for the
business, and request to speak with the person in charge immediately.
a When in contact with the person in charge, the member should repeat that an
alarm has been received and ask if the alarm can be assumed to be false.
b If the person in charge indicates the alarm is false, the member should instruct
him / her to exit the main entrance and walk to a designated location to contact
on-scene officers.
c If the person or the individual who answers the telephone indicates that a crime
is [may be] in progress, members’ on-scene should take appropriate steps to
contain the incident and summon any additional assistance needed.
3. Use of Plain Clothes Personnel: If pedestrian traffic appears to be normal and
attempts to establish contact with the business by telephone have proven to be
unsuccessful, on-scene uniform personnel may request that members in plain clothes
(whose normal duties include arrests) respond to the scene.
i The plainclothes member may enter the business to survey the scene.
ii Plainclothes members should wear soft body armor when conducting a covert
assessment.
C. Burglary/Intrusion Alarms: Usually applies to closed businesses and residences,
whether or not occupied, and may also apply to panic alarms at residences.
1. Approach: Evaluate and cover potential escape routes.
2. Inspection: Inspect the structure’s exterior for an active alarm system or signs of
unlawful entry.
i Signs of Entry / Intrusion: If a member finds evidence of an illegal entry, the
alarm shall be treated as a burglary / intrusion in-progress.
a Secure the scene and establish a perimeter,
b Request canine, if available,
c If available, and on-scene, the canine officer shall be in charge of the search.
d Have Communications notify owner/keyholder, if there is no indication that an
authorized person is on-site.
e If a residence, also determine, if possible, whether or not the owner / occupant:
1) May be a victim of a home invasion or o