What You Need to Know About Maricopa’s Alarm Permit Ordinance
Published on October 10, 2024
Imagine this: You’re out running errands or at work when you receive that distressing call—your home alarm has gone off. You are waiting for the police to give you the all-clear and finally learn it was a false alarm. While this experience might cost you just a few minutes of worry, it has a much bigger impact on our city.
Every time an alarm is triggered, our police officers respond. When these calls turn out to be false alarms, officers are diverted from helping other residents in need. That’s why Maricopa established the Alarm Ordinance in 2005—to reduce false alarms and the strain they place on public safety resources.
The ordinance requires any home with a monitored alarm system that triggers a call to 911 to register with the City of Maricopa for a small annual fee of $20. If a false alarm occurs and officers respond, a fee of $50 may be assessed, with increasing penalties for repeated incidents. Unregistered alarms can incur larger penalties.
“By implementing these fees, we encourage residents to take their responsibilities seriously,” explains Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman. “Our goal is to minimize the occurrence of false alarms and ensure efficient use of our resources.”
To help reduce false alarm fees and make our community safer, here are three essential steps residents can take:
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Register Your Alarm: Ensure your monitored alarm system is registered with the city for the annual fee. This small investment helps cover costs associated with false alarms and keeps the program sustainable.
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Know How to Deactivate Your Alarm: Familiarize yourself with your alarm system. Knowing how to deactivate it can prevent accidental triggers and the subsequent police response.
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Communicate with Your Alarm Company: If your alarm goes off, check with your alarm company to understand what caused the trigger. This knowledge can help you avoid future false alarms.
This program is all about learning, even when a false alarm fee is issued. Residents have an opportunity to waive the first fine for a false alarm by participating in an alarm awareness class within 30 days of receiving an invoice. This class not only explains the rules but also provides valuable tips to help avoid false alarms in the future.
“Every member of our community plays an important role in keeping Maricopa safe,” Chief Goodman emphasizes. “By participating in our Alarm Ordinance program and understanding your alarm systems, you’re not just protecting your home—you’re also supporting your neighbors and the entire city.”
To register your alarm system or learn more about the requirements, Click here.
Please Note: The City of Maricopa uses a 3rd Party company – PM AM Corporation - to manage the Alarm Permit Program and mailings and fee notifications will be issued by PM AM Corporation. The link to register will also direct you to an external site -- “https://www.cityalarmpermit.us/Pages/Home.html?CityId=dplnuFpOjsY=”