Policy Text
GO 310 Residential / Business Alarm Response Page 1 of 4 Rev. 09/30/22
GENERAL ORDER
310 RESIDENTIAL / BUSINESS ALARM RESPONSE
REVISION DATE: 09/30/2022
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/3022
PREVIOUS REVISIONS:
RESCINDS: REFERENCE : None
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. SCOPE ............................................................................................................................... 1
C. POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 1
D. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 1
E. PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................. 2
F. ALARM CANCELLATION ............................................................................................ 4
G. FIRE ALARMS ................................................................................................................. 4
H. MEDICAL ALARMS ....................................................................................................... 4
A. PURPOSE
This directive provides procedures for the Department’s response to alarms received and guidelines for completing
and filing a false alarm notification.
B. SCOPE
This directive is applicable to all sworn Department employees.
C. POLICY
It is the policy of the City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department to respond to and document all security alarm
calls. The primary objective is the preservation of life. The secondary mission is the apprehension of criminals and
the prevention of property loss or damage.
D. DEFINITIONS
Alarm Company : A business, licensed and certified by the Florida Department of Business and Professional
Regulations as an alarm system contractor, as defined in F.S.§ 489.505 , owned by an individual, partnership,
corporation, or other entity for selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving,
installing, or monitoring an alarm system at an alarm site.
RESIDENTIAL / BUSINESS ALARM RESPONSE
General Order 310
GO 310 Residential / Business Alarm Response Page 2 of 4 Rev. 09/30/22
Alarm Notification : A notification intended to summon the police, which is designed either to be initiated
purposefully by a person or by an alarm system that responds to a stimulus characteristic of unauthorized intrusion.
Alarm Registration: The notification by an alarm company or an alarm user to the Sunny Isles Beach’s Code
Enforcement that an alarm system has been installed and is in use.
Alarm Site : A single fixed premise or location served by an alarm system or systems. Each tenancy if served by a
separate alarm system in a multi-tenant building or complex shall be considered a separate alarm site.
Alarm System : A device or system that emits, transmits, or relays a signal intended to summon, or that would
reasonably be expected to summon, police services of the city, including, but not limited to, local alarms. The term
"alarm system" does not include:
An alarm installed on a vehicle unless the vehicle is permanently located at a site.
An alarm designated to alert only the inhabitants of a premise that does not have a local alarm.
False Alarm : An alarm dispatch request to a law enforcement agency, when the responding officers finds no
evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after having completed a timely investigation of the
alarm site.
E. PROCEDURES
1. Chapter 96 of the Code of the City of Sunny Isles Beach requires an alarm registration and permit be renewed
annually, no later than the anniversary date of the original issuance or most recent renewal of the security alarm
permit.
2. Upon being dispatched to an alarm call the unit will be responsible for the following:
a. Acknowledging receipt of the call and advising of their starting point.
b. Responding units shall advise of their arrival and their location on the call.
c. If the location of the alarm is occupied, the units may opt not to make an entry into the location.
Instead they may have the dispatcher make contact via telephone and have a representative respond to
a secure point outside of the location.
3. A minimum of two (2) officers shall be dispatched on all alarm calls and additional officers shall be dispatched
whenever circumstances demand, or when requested by a responding officer.
4. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers shall conduct a thorough check around the exterior of the
building/residence to determine if a forced entry has occurred.
a. If a thorough check cannot be accomplished, an explanation is to be documented on the alarm report. An
effort shall be made to contact the owner/representative of the business/residence.
b. Upon notification that an owner/representative is enroute:
RESIDENTIAL / BUSINESS ALARM RESPONSE
General Order 310
GO 310 Residential / Business Alarm Response Page 3 of 4 Rev. 09/30/22
If the estimated response time to the scene is within fifteen (<15) minutes or less, the responding
officer/officers are to wait for the owner/representative’s arrival and check the entire scene upon the
owner/representative’s arrival.
If the estimated time is greater than fifteen (>15) minutes, the responding officer must return to regular
duty and advise dispatch to request that the alarm company inform the owner/representative to contact
the Department directly upon arriving at the premise.
A case card ( Annex 310 A ) must be left in a conspicuous place giving notice to the owner/representative
that the police responded to the alarm scene.
5. If a possible point of entry is discovered, additional units shall be requested and the entire scene shall be
secured. If a canine (K-9) unit is available, they shall be called to search the scene.
a. If a canine (K