The Neighborhood Engagement Office will be facilitating a Coffee on Your Corner* event on Thursday, May 11^th from 10am to 11am at Tout de Suite Cafe (347 Verret Street). This month, we will be discussing Algiers Economic Development. If you are interested in attending this discussion, please RSVP to me no later than Tuesday, May 9^th. Please contact me if you have any questions, my info is below.

*Coffee on Your Corner is an information session during normal business hours responsive to residents who may be discouraged of attending public meetings outside of their communities and during evening hours. These forums give the community the opportunity to hear directly from city officials and representatives in an informal setting at local venues in their neighborhoods about city programs, initiatives and operations.

See you then!

Sincerely,

Lisbeth

Lisbeth L. Pedroso

Neighborhood Liaison | District C – West Bank

Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office | City of New Orleans

1300 Perdido Street | Suite 8E15 | New Orleans, LA 70112

llpedroso@nola.gov | (o) 504-658-4933 | (c) 504-623-5697

https://www.nola.gov/neighborhood-engagement/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2017

New Orleans False Alarm Ordinance Goes Into Effect Today

NEW ORLEANS – Effective today (May 1), NOPD will be tracking false alarm calls and enforcing penalties on repeat offenders, in an effort to reduce the city’s false alarm rate from automated alarm systems.

In 2015 the city approved a false alarm reduction ordinance aimed at minimizing the overall number of false alarm calls requiring police response. The ordinance requires businesses and residents to pay a fine for every false alarm call beginning with the second offense. It is designed to generate efficient police services and keep officers on the streets and available for higher priority calls and crime reduction efforts. The City has contracted with Public Safety Corporation, a Maryland-based alarm monitoring service.

All Orleans Parish alarm users are required to register under the law. This includes all private residences and business locations within Orleans Parish. Online registration is now available at www.crywolfservices.com/neworleansla.

“NOPD is taking a new approach to dealing with false alarms, which currently account for the overwhelming number of alarm calls,” said Superintendent Michael Harrison. “These calls waste a tremendous amount of our officers’ time and resources. By decreasing or eliminating false alarm calls, we’re enabling officers to respond to actual crimes and emergencies when they arise. Our job is to protect and serve the people of New Orleans, and this program is going to help free up officers’ time to do just that.”

WATCH: NOPD Shares Helpful Tips to Avoid False Alarms

Last year approximately 98.9 percent of all alarm calls in New Orleans were false alarms. NOPD officers responded to nearly 40,100 dispatched automatic alarm calls across the city, which averages to 110 calls per day. Of the 40,100 dispatched calls, 39,643 were false alarms. Officers can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to as long as an hour responding and clearing alarm calls. After being dispatched to the scene, police must clear the building and wait for a business representative to arrive. Police are often called to the same business multiple times in one night due to faulty alarm systems.

False alarms are caused by a variety of factors, including employee error, environment, improper code, power outages, animals and equipment malfunctions. By enforcing a fine system, police hope to provide an incentive for businesses and residents to properly use and maintain their alarms.

Under the ordinance, the alarm system user will get “four strikes” annually before service is suspended. There is no fine imposed for the first false alarm. Fines start at $75 for the second offense and $150 for the third offense and the fourth offense. A notice of suspension will then be issued by certified mail. The suspension of police response to the alarm user’s address will begin fifteen days after the receipt of the notice of suspension unless a written appeal of the suspension is made to the Superintendent.

WATCH: False Alarm Ordinance Imposes Fines on Repeat Offenders

The ordinance mandates suspension after the fourth false alarm call. Suspension means officers won’t respond to calls at businesses or residences placed on suspension until the property owner becomes compliant by repairing the faulty alarm. NOPD will respond to 911 calls from the address but not alarm calls.

If an assessed false alarm fine has not been paid within 30 days of the date the notice was mailed and no appeal has been filed, the alarm system user will be assessed a late fee of $25 and mailed a notice by certified mail. If payment is not received within 10 days after the late notice is received, the alarm system user will be liable for a fine of an additional $100 and the delinquent payment may result in a notice of suspension of police response to the address. Additional fines may be assessed to alarm system monitoring companies and alarm system users if false alarms are reported during the suspension period.

At the end of a calendar year the false alarm count for each address will revert to zero if all fines have been paid.

WATCH: NOPD Officials Explain Benefits of New False Alarm Ordinance

The City of New Orleans has contracted with Public Safety Corporation, a Maryland-based alarm monitoring service developed by AOT Public Safety Corporation. Services provided by the company will be free to the city and the city will receive a percentage of the fines paid by repeat offenders.

All Orleans Parish alarm users are required to register under the law. This includes all private residences and business locations within Orleans Parish. Online registration will be available beginning May 1.

Click here to read the entire False Alarm Ordinance.

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