Pinecrest PD Profile - Con’t

COORDINATOR COMMENTS

Chief Davis worked with Model States initially because of the FAAP software program. Subsequently, I have worked closely with the agency on software usage as well as assisting in the development of the false alarm user class. Officers meet with worst abusers, after 7 false alarms Chief can call a meeting at police department requiring user and Alarm Company to attend.

First agency in Florida to require and hold users classes. Chief Davis had the abusers class added after talking with Model States about the process. As of this writing we have held two classes with around 30 attendees. The ordinance allows someone to attend the class and hold the certificate until they want to use it, (within 1 year). This could value the class at $300.00 since the fine structure escalates to $300.00 after the fifth false alarm. Response from class attendees has been very positive.

Chief Davis is very motivated to reduce false alarms. He understands the drain on manpower and is willing to dedicate whatever resources necessary to accomplish the goal of 60% reduction.

In the first six months that the ordinance was enforced we saw a 36% reduction in false dispatches. In fact we were able to determine that 48% of the false alarms are generated by about 6% of the users.

Meetings with local alarm companies have helped in getting the companies involved in the reduction process.

The outlook for continued reductions in Pinecrest is excellent. Between the Chiefs attitude and the response of local companies it is not out of line to expect to see reductions of 60% by years end.