Title
An Ordinance Amending Article 5 (Police and Fire Alarm Systems) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to Alarm User Permit Fees and Penalties for False Alarms.
Presenter:
Charae McDaniel, Chief Financial Officer
Deputy Chief John Koch, Colorado Springs Police Department
Frederick Stein, Senior Attorney, City Attorney's Office
Charles Hickey, CSPD Finance Manager
Body
Summary:
Amendments to the City's Code sections to fees charged to residential and commercial alarm permitholders, and to the penalties for false alarms.
Background:
The City seeks to adjust annual permit fees for residential and commercial alarm permitholders and increase penalties for false alarms calls. This is due to increasing technology, program, and personnel costs related to alarm monitoring and response, and program administration for police and fire alarms permitted through private businesses in Colorado Springs.
The fees charged to alarm permitholders in Colorado Springs have not been updated since 2008. Currently, the fees charged are:
1. $24.00 annually for a residential or commercial permit, except for any residential permit for a person 65 years of age or older.
2. $12.00 annually for a residential permit where the permitholder is 65 years of age or older.
CSPD Finance researched alarm permit and false alarm penalties for some cities along the Front Range, including Denver, Castle Rock, and Pueblo. The proposed increased fees and penalties, in effect with the passage of this ordinance amendment, are:
1. $50.00 annually for a residential permit, except for any residential permit for a person 65 years of age or older.
2. $25.00 annually for a residential permit where the permitholder is 65 years of age or older.
3. $75.00 annually for a commercial permit.
The penalties charged for false alarms will be increased as follows:
1. First false alarm - increase from no ...
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