Alarm Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WHAT IS A FALSE ALARM?
The City of Lubbock defines a false alarm as an alarm dispatch request to a law enforcement agency when the responding
law enforcement officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after having completed a
timely investigation of the alarm site.
HOW MANY FALSE ALARMS DOES LUBBOCK HAVE IN A YEAR?
The Lubbock Police Department responded to 18,000 alarm-related calls per year, over 95% of which were false alarms.
WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?
The majority of emergency alarms, which law enforcement officials respond to, are false alarms. Because most of the false
alarms are the result of improper maintenance or improper or careless use of an alarm system, the public and the police are
subjected to needless danger. False alarms add unnecessary risk to the
responding officers and the public in general.
WHAT IS THE CITY DOING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM?
The City of Lubbock enacted an Alarm Ordinance in November of 2001 that requires alarm license registration and fines for
excessive false alarms. The intent of this Ordinance is to reduce the number of false alarms received.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER MY ALARM SYSTEM?
Not necessarily. Once the alarm site gets 3 false burglary alarm notifications or 1 false robbery alarm
notification in a year, then they must obtain an alarm permit. The permit must be renewed every year but renewal fees may not apply.
See
Alarm Ordinance for more details.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY ALARM?
You may apply for the alarm permit two different ways. You may print the
application
and fill it out. Send $50 with the application to the address listed on the application. Otherwise, you may come
fill out an application at the Police Department, located at 916 Texas Avenue, during normal business hours for the Alarm Permit Office.
The application fee is $50.
The Alarm Permit Office Hours
IS THERE A PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER AN ALARM SYSTEM?
Yes. Any location operating a non-licensed alarm system will be subjected to a citation each day until the location
complies with the Alarm Ordinance.
IS A FALSE ALARM COUNTED IF THE POLICE ARE CANCELLED?
Yes. Once the officer is dispatched, it is counted as a false alarm because the officer is pulled off an assignment
to respond to a "burglary in progress".
IF THE ALARM WAS SET OFF BY A CLEANING CREW OR HIRED HELP, DOES IT COUNT AGAINST ME?
Yes. This is considered user error. According to Section 14-315, the alarm user is responsible to train all
persons who may activate the alarm system in the proper use and operation of the alarm system.
AM I STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING, RENEWING, AND/OR PAYING FEES IF THE ALARM COMPANY IS TO BLAME?
Yes. The Alarm Ordinance holds the alarm user responsible for any false alarm notifications.
DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE ANOTHER APPLICATION EVERY TIME I RENEW MY PERMIT?
Not necessarily. If an alarm site, whether residential or business, does not have any false alarm notifications
within their permit year, the permit is automatically renewed. If the alarm site is requested to pay $50 for the
renewal fee then an application is required. However, the alarm user/contact is responsible for reporting any
changes or updates on the application.