Primary Department: Sheriff
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff
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Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
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Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of changes to Harris County policy and fees relative to alarm permitting and false alarm calls.
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Background and Discussion:
HCSO examined trends from 2020 to 2023 and found:
84,000 average annual calls for service relating to alarms
60% of alarm calls originate from unpermitted locations or locations with an expired permit
Approximately 1% of alarm calls are true (not false alarms)
Average annual cost of managing and responding to false alarms is $4.8 million
Average funds generated through permits, renewals, and fines is $2.4 million
Average annual revenue loss due to unpaid false alarm fees is $875k
HCSO recommends:
1. Add the following definitions to County Alarm regulations: Nuisance Alarm, False Alarm, True Alarm, Personal Alert Device, Residential Alarm Site, and Self-Monitored Camera System.
2. Increase residential permit fees from $35 to $40 and renewal fees from $10 to $40
3. Increase commercial permit fees from $35 to $100 and renewal fees from $10 to $100
4. Reducing number of false alarm calls required to revoke a permit from 9 to 6.
5. Change residential permit holder fines for false alarms during each 12 month permit period as follows:
1. 1st = free.
2. 2nd = $100
3. 3rd = $200
4. 4th or more = $420 each.
6. Change non-permitted, non-residential false alarm fees to $420 per incident.
Note: Fees and fi...
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