Indian River County Sheriffs Office Profile - Con’t

I began working with the Indian River Sheriffs Office in late summer of 98. Initial meetings with the Sheriff and Under Sheriff set forth the basis for the ordinance.

In the draft stages it was decided that alarm companies would be responsible for initial registration of all alarm systems. After meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, an agreement was made that there would not be a non-response clause. Instead, the Sheriff has the right to suspend an alarm permit if the user is abusive, or fails to take corrective action when requested to do so.

Deputy Ron Kramer has been appointed as the alarm coordinator and has already begun his duties.

A dealer meeting was held prior to going before the County Commission with a total of 40 notices sent out. The meeting was attended by 18 companies. At the meeting the new ordinance was discussed in detail and several issues by the alarm dealers were changed in order to present a unified front to the county Commission.

Of special interest was that the Sheriffs Office went out of their way to develop an ordinance that the entire community could embrace. Sheriff Wheeler, after setting down the basic ordinance, allowed Model States to negotiate with the industry representatives.

Now that the ordinance has passed all steps through the County Commission a dealer meeting has been scheduled for 4/28/99 where dealers will become versed in what will be expected of them.

The short and long-term outlook for false alarm reduction in Indian River is excellent. With all areas of the community behind the effort it is hard to believe that large reductions won’t be forthcoming.