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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: March 10, 2017  Amends - GO 06.2.29 (December 21, 2012) Number: 6.2.29 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: January Reviewing Authority: CSCD / Communications Subject: False Alarms This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to confirm uniform response to alarm signals in accordance with, and as outlined by, Orange County Code Chapter 28, Article 5 , False Security Alarms, and to outline the responsibilities of agency members in administration of the Code. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to reduce false alarms by identifying and documenting false alarms, encouraging citizens to repair defective systems and educating the public on proper use of alarms. 3. Definitions A. Alarm Administrator – an agency emp loyee designated by the Sheriff and assigned to Communications who maintains and controls records involving false alarms and coordinates the agency’s responsibilities described in Orange County Code Chapter 28, Article 5 , False Security Alarms. B. False Alarm – the activation of an alarm system signal or message eliciting notification to and/or response by the agency when there is no evidence of a crime, emergency or other activity that warrants a call for immediate law enforcement assistance. This may include, but is not limited to, an alarm discovered by a deputy before notification from a monitor or from a local alarm that is no t monitored. It is a rebuttable presumption that an alarm is false if responding deputies do not discover any evidence of intrusion or other criminal activity after investigating the incident. An alarm is not false if the alarm user proves that: 1. An ind ividual activated the alarm based upon a reasonable belief that an emergency requiring a law enforcement response existed; or 2. The alarm system was activated by severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornados, a direct lightning strike, telephon e line trouble, or external power failure in excess of four hours. 6.2.29, Page 2 of 5 C. False Alarm Warning Notice (FAWN) - a required notification provided by a deputy to an owner or alarm user that a false alarm occurred. D. FARS – false alarm reduction software used in the administration and processing of alarm calls by the False Alarm Reduction Unit. 4. Procedures A. Response to Alarm Calls and Documentation 1. Communications shall dispatch ala rm calls in accordance with SO 8.0, Communications Procedures. 2. The disposition “SCF” (security check form) is not a valid disposition in the False Alarm Program and will not be used for alarm calls. 3. Upon arrival deputies shall thoroughly investigate the call and attempt to determine the cause of the alarm. 4. A false alarm warning notice (FAWN) is required for each false alarm. If an alarm is determined to be false, the deputy shall complete a FAWN, circle the “NR” on the top left corner of the FAWN notice and fill in the event number on the top right hand corner of the form. All spaces on the FAWN will be completed and additional information documented in the comment field, (i.e. vehicle in driveway, no answer at door). a. The white copy of the FAWN will be left at the sce ne in an area that is easily noticeable by the resident/business owner. The warning notice may also be given to any on -site residents or employees with the person’s name written in the ‘contact made’ field on the form. b. The yellow copy will be forwarded v ia inter -office mail at the end of the deputy’s shift to the Alarm Administrator. c. In any situation where a notice is not able to be left at the scene, both copies will be forwarded via inter -office mail at the end of the deputy’s shift to the Alarm Adminis trator. 5. A False Alarm Warning Notice is required when: a. A deputy responds to an ATM that is attached to a bank building; the FAWN will be left at the bank. In the event of a stand -alone ATM, both copies will be forwarded to the Alarm Administrator. b. A deputy is working off -duty, but leaves the off -duty job to take an alarm at another location and the alarm is determined to be false. c. The Fire Department responds to an alarm call in reference to a request by an agency member for assistance with a ladder to check a roof or force entry into a building, the false alarm will be coded accordingly and the FAWN will be completed. d. A deputy responds to an alarm call and finds a situation where there is going to be a report written but the call type will not change. The address and event number areas of the FAWN will be completed and “R” circled on the top left of the notice. Both copies 6.2.29, Page 3 of 5 of the notice will be forwarded to the Alarm Administrator. e. The alarm cancellation is received after the deputy is on scene and after the ten (10) minute grace period has expired. The alarm will be processed as a false alarm utilizing the disposition of “NR” and the FAWN completed. NOTE: Deputies may not accept a cancellation directly from the alarm user; the cancellation must be giv en to the