Letter Index

Itasca Police Department
411 N. Prospect Avenue
Itasca, Illinois 60143
Tel.(630)773-1004

November 20, 1998

Mr. Stan Martin
C/O Dan Petesch
1350 Aurora Avenue, #2026
Naperville, Illinois 60540

Mr. Martin,

As a participating agency in the Model States program, I would like to take this opportunity to urge you to see that the necessary steps are taken to continue the funding, as well as support of this worthwhile program.

While the village of Itasca has only recently passed a false alarm ordinance this year, a thirteen- percent drop in false alarms has already been achieved in the last reporting period. Statistics indicate that this percentage will continue to increase as public awareness, as well as enforcement efforts expand over the upcoming months.

Before the Village of Itasca's commitment to the Model States program when it was first introduced in Illinois, the Village had no false alarm program or ordinance, and in fact had very little information or resources available to address the spiraling problem. The Village had no idea as to how many different alarm companies or even alarms were being operated in the Village since that time, an ad hoc citizens advisory group was formed to assist in addressing the problem, a false alarm ordinance was enacted, alarm permitting has commenced, and enforcement action initiated. Preliminary results indicate that the Village will meet or exceed expectations of reducing false alarms by over fifty percent in the first year.

These results could not have been obtained without the assistance of the Model States program, particularly Mr. Petesch, who has made himself readily available to the Village's False Alarm Coordinator. While tremendous progress has been made in Itasca in regards to false alarms, much work needs to be done, especially in the area of software as it pertains to tracking and billing. (continued next page)

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