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):
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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 fines were last updated in 2001, and the newly proposed fees are still lower than those charged by the City of Houston. Residential permits for individuals over the age of 65 are free.
Expected Impact:
Reduce false alarm calls and improve HCSO’s ability to respond to truly urgent calls for service.
More than $2 million in additional fees and fines collected annually.
Alternative Options:
Continue operating at current levels of service.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: E: Increase efficiency across the legal system.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Anticipated Court Date: 3/27/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Thomas Diaz, Chief Deputy, Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):