By Police1 Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — False alarms from companies protecting business and homes may count for as much as 97 percent of calls for service in California’s state capitol. Said differently, according to a report from KCRA-TV, 70 of the 72 alarm calls received by Sacramento PD every day end up being false alarms, and that is not only costing taxpayers millions, but putting citizens at greater risk.
City officials are now considering an ordinance imposing fines on businesses and residences for excessive false alarm calls, forcing alarm companies to work much harder in verifying alarms before calling 911.
The Sacramento police department is 29 percent smaller than it used to be, according to Capt. Jim MacCoun, and the fire department says it is facing similar manpower issues.