LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Lubbock Police Department is defending the city’s updated alarm ordinance after residents and business owners criticized the policy online as a “cash grab” for the city.
The department said the ordinance, which went into effect Oct. 1, is designed to reduce false alarms and keep more officers available for true emergencies.
Police first posted about the policy on social media Tuesday. Since then, the department has received hundreds of comments, emails and phone calls from people with concerns.
Policy targets false alarm costs
In the department’s Facebook post, LPD says in any given year, officers respond to about 18,000 alarm calls – more than 75% of which are false alarms. In a press conference hoping to clear up misconceptions Thursday, Assistant Chief Nathan White said at least three out of every four alarm calls are false alarms. The City’s website says those false alarms cost LPD about $255,000 annually.
“So we needed to find a way to reduce those numbers so that our officers are available for high priority calls and to proactively patrol our city,” White said.
The revised policy requires residents and businesses with automated alarm systems, through which third-party vendors call law enforcement for suspected burglaries or robberies, to obtain permits. Permits cost $50 per year, or $25 for those 65 and older.
“So when there’s an upfront cost, alarm owners tend to keep their systems in good working order. They tend to test their batteries, update contacts, train users on how to best use the system,” White said. “Other cities have used this model and implemented in their cities, and it’s helped drive down their false alarms.”
White said the policy also addresses officer safety concerns.
“In addition to that, every alarm call that our officers go to can be dangerous. And we have examples of officers, even one within our own region, where an officer responded to a false alarm and was shot and killed by the homeowner,” White said. “So any amount that we can reduce our officers having to go to these false alarms makes their job safer.”
White says the permit process allows the city to better identify repeat offenders. After the initial permit cost, there is no fine for the first three false alarms in a year. Four to five false alarms result in a $50 fee, with fees capped at $100 per incident after that.
“We’ve seen comments talk about the fines and fees going to bonuses for officers and officer salaries. That’s not true. That’s not what happens. All of that money goes to the general fund of the city,” White said.
Policy details and exceptions
Permit holders can appeal false alarm fees. The ordinance does not apply to self-monitored security cameras, and wind setting off alarms will not count as violations.
The department is working to remove online language suggesting officers won’t respond to calls for alarms without valid permits.
“Let me clarify. We will respond to an alarm call. If an alarm call comes to our dispatch center, we’ll go and make sure that everything’s okay,” White said.
However, property owners without permits can be fined if calls turn out to be false alarms.
Council review planned
District 5 Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson said she plans to bring the ordinance back to the city council agenda for a work session after receiving complaints.
Wilson posted a statement to social media saying the council needs to find the “right balance between public safety, fairness, and practicality.” She urged residents to continue sharing feedback about the plan.
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