Connecticut Senate Bill SB00239

Connecticut 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/24/16
• Refer: 2/24/16

Caption

An Act Requiring Verification To Reduce False Alarms.

Impact

Should this bill come into effect, one notable change would be the imposition of fines for responses to false alarms, albeit with allowances for the first three instances in a calendar year. Beyond these first warnings, subscribers would face escalating financial penalties ranging from $25 for the fourth false alarm to as much as $100 for any subsequent offenses, thereby incentivizing responsible alarm usage. Moreover, this financial structure is intended to cover the administrative costs associated with processing these incidents, including training for police on managing these situations.

Summary

SB00239, titled 'An Act Requiring Verification To Reduce False Alarms', aims to amend existing regulations surrounding alarm systems in the state. The core purpose of this bill is to minimize the occurrence of false alarms that burden law enforcement agencies, particularly by requiring alarm monitoring companies to verify the legitimacy of an alarm before summoning police response. The legislation requires that subscribers provide contact information, enhancing the capability of verification processes through direct communication with the premises where the alarm is located.

Contention

The bill has stirred discussions regarding the balance between public safety and the accountability of subscribers and monitoring companies. On one hand, proponents argue that it is necessary to reduce the workload on police departments, allowing them to focus on genuine emergencies. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potentially penalizing individuals who may inadvertently activate alarms due to emergencies or malfunctions, which raises ethical questions regarding enforcement mechanisms. The bill also brings into focus the distinction between necessary responses to authentic threats and the management of operational challenges faced by local police departments.