Alarm Ordinance

Alarm Ordinance in Sandy Springs

Effective June 19, 2019, the City of Sandy Springs adopted a True Verification standard for determining when an intrusion (burglar) alarm is eligible for police dispatch. Under this standard, an intrusion alarm must be verified by audio, video, or private guard response before police dispatch will occur.

The True Verification standard applies only to intrusion alarm activations. The Sandy Springs Fire Department responds to all fire alarms. The Sandy Springs Police Department responds to all duress, panic, holdup, and medical alarm activations without verification.

If I Have a Self-Monitored Alarm, How Do I Request Police or Fire Response?

Users with self-monitored alarm systems may request public safety response by dialing 911 from within Sandy Springs city limits. Users outside Sandy Springs may call 404-843-6680 to request police or fire response to a self-monitored alarm system. 

What Does "Verified" Mean?

Under the City's Alarm Ordinance, a verified alarm means visual or audible confirmation of an attempted or actual crime, fire, or other emergency situation at the alarm site by one of the following methods:

• Confirmation by the alarm user at the alarm site or through self-monitored audio or video equipment
• Confirmation by a private guard responder at the alarm site
• Audible or visual evidence provided by a monitored alarm system

Compliance options range from self-monitored systems to professionally monitored systems with audio or video verification capabilities. Some alarm users choose to maintain a traditional alarm system while supplementing it with a self-installed, self-monitored video system. Private guard response services are also available and typically charge on a per-activation basis.

Why the Change to True Verification?

The City adopted its first alarm ordinance in 2012 to reduce the number of false alarm calls received by the 911 Center. Research from cities that successfully reduced false alarms showed that True Verification standards significantly decrease unnecessary dispatches. In June 2018, the City Council revised the ordinance and provided a one-year implementation period before the requirements became effective on June 19, 2019. :

The ordinance was amended in May 2019 to provide alarm companies with 24 hours to submit audio or video clips to the 911 Center following a dispatch request. Review the Alarm Ordinance Amendment (May 2019) (PDF).

The primary objective of the ordinance is to improve public safety by reducing false alarm dispatches and allowing emergency resources to remain available for verified emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alarm Ordinance True Verification Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

What Is a Verified Alarm?

A verified alarm is visual or audible confirmation of an attempted or actual crime, fire, or emergency at the alarm site using audio or video monitoring, private guard response, or alarm user presence. Audio or video monitoring may be performed by either a commercial monitoring company or a private user. 

Does the Verification Requirement Apply to Self-Monitored Alarm Systems?

Yes. To be eligible for police dispatch, intrusion alarms must include audio or video verification regardless of whether the system is professionally monitored or self-monitored.

Alarm Services and Monitoring

Alarm systems are commonly used in residential and commercial properties to detect intrusion or unauthorized entry. According to the City, more than 99 percent of calls from monitoring alarm companies are false alarms, and approximately 18 percent of calls received by the City's 911 Center originate from alarm companies. False alarms create costs for taxpayers and divert public safety resources from genuine emergencies. 

Modern alarm technology allows for audio and video verification, helping determine whether an alarm activation is the result of criminal activity or a malfunctioning device. Systems may be self-installed and self-monitored, professionally installed and monitored, or a combination of both.

The City's True Verification model follows approaches used in other jurisdictions and is intended to significantly reduce false alarm dispatches while enhancing public safety. 

Alarm Registration

Do I Have to Register My Alarm System?

No. Under the City of Sandy Springs False Alarm Ordinance, alarm companies are responsible for registering their customers' alarm systems. CryWolf Services, Inc. serves as the City's alarm administrator. Alarm companies may register themselves or their customers by calling 1-855-725-7101. 

Alarm Fines

False alarm fines are assessed to alarm companies, not individual alarm users. Alarm companies are billed directly for all false alarm fees. The fee structure is intended to recover the costs of public safety dispatch and response.

A false alarm is a dispatch request made by an alarm company that results in a public safety response to an unfounded incident. Alarm activations canceled after an officer has already checked the property are also considered false alarms. Alarm activations canceled before an officer is dispatched are not considered false alarms.

Requests for dispatch made without the required state-mandated verification are administrative violations and may result in fines and disqualification of the alarm from response eligibility. Alarm companies may choose to pass false alarm fines on to their customers. Alarm users should review their alarm company's policies regarding false alarms and fee assessments.

Note: Public safety response is always provided for panic, duress, holdup, and fire alarms.

Appeals

How Does an Alarm Company Appeal a False Alarm Fine?

Alarm companies may appeal a false alarm fine or permit suspension by submitting a written appeal to the Alarm Administrator within 30 days of the notice date.

An appeal form may be requested by:

• Email: sandyspringsga@publicsafetycorp.com
• Phone: 855-725-7101
• Mail: PO Box 102117, Atlanta, GA 30368-2117

Additional Questions

For questions about alarm systems or the City's Alarm Ordinance, contact the Sandy Springs Police Department at 770-551-6900 and ask to speak with the Alarm Administrator.

Ordinance Changes

On June 19, 2018, the Sandy Springs City Council approved changes to the False Alarm Ordinance that updated the definition of a verified alarm and established the transition to a fully verified response model. The verification requirement became effective on June 19, 2019, allowing alarm users and alarm companies time to adapt. 

Additional ordinance changes require alarm companies to notify alarm users when systems are registered, provide permit numbers to customers, and notify customers if alarm company permits are suspended. 

On May 1, 2018, the City Council also approved changes requiring alarm companies with suspended permits to provide written notice to customers that they are no longer authorized to request public safety response to activated intrusion alarms. Failure to provide notice may result in additional permit suspension penalties.