CC PACKET 01261982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES®3301 SILVER LAKE ROAD a MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55418• PHONE 789-8881 CITY OF ST. anTHong December 14 1981 Dear St. Anthony Businessman : The St. Anthony Police Department responded to 364 false alarms in 1980 and 336 through October in 1981 . We are finding that more and more of our police time and manpower is being tied up responding to false alarms. Unfortunately , a major portion of these false alarms are the result of employee error or carelessness and the remainder due to system malfunctions. We are trying to maintain service levels within severe budget constraints and have identified this problem as a major source of wasted manpower and equipment. Additionally , there is the problem of safety to the officers and the citizens . There is not only the risk of being involved in an auto accident because of the rapid response, but the possibility of other accidental injuries , es- pecially in responding to hold-up alarms where the officers respond with weapons ready . In an attempt to curb this unwarranted waste of police time and manpower, we, have prepared a proposed alarm ordinance similar to those in a number of other metro area communities . The proposed ordinance would establish alarm licenses and fees as well as fees for police responses to false alarms in excess of two per six month period. Eleven businesses in our City were responsible for 244 of the false alarms in 1980 and a similar amount in 1981. I feel that those businesses that are using/abusing the service should pay a major portion of -the added costs for the responses . The ordinance , as proposed, would accomplish this . The City Council will be considering tie proposed ordinance in January and your input would be helpful and appreciated. Copies of the ordinance are available from City Hall on request and proposed written or verbal comments are welcomed . Sincerely , Donald Hickerson Chief of Police DH/cjk