Key changes made to police alarm program in Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills

Beginning next Thursday (June 25), homeowners and commercial operators in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills will no longer be able to register nor renew their premises for alarm response at a discounted rate.

Halton Regional Police (HRPS), keeping in line with moves made by agencies across the province in recent years, made the announcement today (June 8) along with other key updates to the administration of its Alarm Program.

Police also announced that premises will also no longer be subject to a suspension from the Alarm Program for repeated false alarms. This will allow police officers to provide uninterrupted protection and service whenever they are dispatched to an address.

Currently, HRPS responds to all activated alarms, including false alarms that are unintentionally activated for a number of reasons.

With approximately 98 per cent of these alarm calls received deemed false, police say investigating these alarms is both time-consuming and diverts valuable officer resources from frontline duties.

Alarm monitoring companies that represent the home or business owner will continued to charged directly for all cost recovery fees for false alarms. The charge levied for all alarms requesting HRPS dispatch and which are found by the Service to be false will now be $197.75 ($175.00 plus $22.75 HST).

The fee will not apply for any alarm that is deemed by police to be caused by a criminal offence, medical or fire emergency.

A transition period will be in place for premises for those currently registered for the Alarm Program. These premises will continue to be charged based on the historical rates and program until their term ends, at which time they will be unable to renew and will fall under the new alarm program rates.

Any questions with the Alarm Program should be made directly to the alarm service provider.

Additional information about changes to HRPS’ Alarm Program, as well as useful tips on purchasing an alarm and preventing false alarms are available here.