Nanaimo Cracks Down on Costly Security System False Alarms
The City of Nanaimo is taking decisive action to address the escalating problem of false alarms triggered by security systems, which drain valuable resources from emergency services and delay responses to genuine emergencies. A surge in false alarms has prompted the city to revise its outdated bylaws, implementing stricter penalties for repeat offenders and streamlining the process for police to discontinue responses to chronically problematic properties.
Recent data paints a stark picture of the burden false alarms place on the Nanaimo RCMP detachment. Since March 2023, officers have responded to 360 alarm calls from just 34 properties. A significant portion of these calls, 28 in total, were classified as priority one hold-up alarms, demanding immediate attention and potentially diverting resources from critical incidents. The remaining calls originated from properties with a history of excessive false alarms, ranging from six to a staggering 40 incidents within a 12-month period. This alarming trend highlights the need for effective measures to curb unnecessary deployments and ensure the efficient allocation of emergency resources.
The issue of false alarms is not new to Nanaimo. As far back as 1994, the city recognized the significant financial strain caused by these incidents. The cost of responding to false alarms at that time was equivalent to the salaries of seven full-time police officers, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. The city enacted a bylaw to address the problem, but its provisions proved insufficient to deter repeat offenders. Under the previous bylaw, property owners were allowed three false alarms within a 12-month period without incurring any charges. Subsequent false alarms resulted in modest fees of $140 for the fourth and fifth incidents, rising to $200 for the sixth and seventh. Only after the seventh false alarm could the police discontinue their response, following a cumbersome and resource-intensive appeal process.
The existing bylaws failed to adequately address the underlying issue of persistent false alarms and did not recoup the actual costs associated with these responses. Beyond the direct expense of dispatching officers, the city incurred additional costs related to administrative tasks, such as tracking down property owners and securing properties when contact information was unavailable. In some cases, officers were required to remain on-site until a key holder could be located, further exacerbating the drain on resources. The minimal fees levied under the old bylaws provided little incentive for property owners to address the root causes of their faulty systems.
Recognizing the inadequacy of the existing framework, city staff proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the false alarm bylaw system. The new approach involves a three-pronged strategy: a revised false alarm bylaw, an amendment to the fees and charges bylaw, and a new bylaw notice of enforcement bylaw. These measures work in concert to reduce the permissible number of false alarms, significantly increase associated fees, and empower police to cease responding to properties with chronic false alarm issues.
The updated false alarm bylaw mandates that property owners provide the RCMP with current contact information for their alarm monitoring agency or designate at least two individuals who can be reached when alarms are triggered. It also requires the city to notify property owners when their alarm system generates three or more false alarms within a 12-month period, signaling the potential for further action. The amended fees and charges bylaw eliminates the free pass for the first false alarm and introduces a tiered fee structure. The second false alarm within a year will incur a $150 charge, while subsequent false alarms will cost $500 each. Furthermore, a new standby fee of $300 will be applied if police are required to wait at a property for a key holder or authorized representative.
The new bylaws received strong support from city council members, who recognized the urgent need to address the wasteful expenditure of taxpayer dollars and the potential impact on public safety. Councillor Paul Manly expressed his wholehearted endorsement of the changes, highlighting the significant waste of resources associated with responding to false alarms. The updated bylaws were approved with three readings, paving the way for their implementation and a renewed focus on holding property owners accountable for maintaining properly functioning security systems. The revised framework aims to strike a balance between allowing for occasional malfunctions and deterring chronic offenders, ultimately improving the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency services in Nanaimo.