False alarms cost everyone

The Reno Police Department responds to over 14,000 business and residential alarms each year. The majority of these are false and occur as a result of user error or lack of maintenance.

Each alarm that the Reno Police Department responds to, costs you, the tax payer, in personnel and equipment costs. This equates to the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars and constitutes a tremendous drain upon your police department's resources. Resources that are better utilized to address proactive enforcement and quality of life issues.

The Reno Police Department and local alarm companies joined together to write section 8.06.055 ofthe Reno Municipal Code, entitled Alarm Fees.

In conjunction with this "cost recovery" ordinance, Burgarello Alarm has agreed to assist you, the consumer, by way of an educational program designed to help you understand and maintain your alarm system to its fullest potential.

How the Law Works

When your alarm is activated, a Reno Police Officer will respond to the alarm location and after checking the property, will determine if the alarm is valid or false.

In the event that the alarm is false, a "False Alarm Notice" will be left in a conspicuous location at the property. You will also receive a notification by mail of the false alarm.

Every alarm user may have up to 2 false alarms at a given property within a calendar year. 3 or more false alarms will result in the "cost recovery" fine of $94.66 being assessed against the alarm user/property owner.

In the event that a property has more than 6 false alarms within a calendar year the Reno Police Department will not respond to that location until such time as proof has been submitted to the Chief of Police or his designee that the alarm has been fixed.

Every alarm user/property owner who is assessed a "cost recovery fine" or who loses the privilege of a response from the police department has the right to appeal this process to the Chief of Police or his designee.

Reno Police Deparment Brochure

The Reno Police Department has created a brochure which inclues the above information, common causes and helpful tips. To download a copy of that brochure, please click the "download now" link.

153 KB PDF File

Sparks False Alarm Ordinance

Download a comprehensive booklet regarding the Sparks False Alarm Ordinance by clicking the"download now" link.

1.3 MB PDF File

False Alarm Checklist

Download our false alarm checklist by clicking the "download now" link.

67 KB PDF File

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