The Alberta RCMP are following up on a policy change that came into effect on July 13, 2018.

The policy revision helps to remediate an efficiency concern, when it comes to the RCMP's responses to false alarms.

As of July 13, the RCMP will no longer be responding to property alarms that are only triggered once, instead choosing to verify the status of the building with the owner before additional action is taken.

RCMP Officer Chris Warren says, this revision helps solve an issue of efficiency.

"As it stood last year we have 15,500 false alarm calls in Alberta which equated to nearly 8000 human recourse hours. This change will help make sure those hours are more properly utilized."

Warren notes that the RCMP will still be monitoring locations that have given off the alarm(s).

"We will still be following up with owners or key-holders of the properties, even if its only a one-time alarm, just to assure nothing is amiss there."

Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander with the High River RCMP says, no longer dispatching officers to one-time alarm signals, will drastically help larger residential areas, however High River doesn't have as much of a problem.

"I've looked at it myself on the local level, we don't have a real problem with it here in High River, despite this we still respond to these calls about once a day on average. We will continue to monitor alarms calls, and make sure the owners and their property are safe."

The RCMP have provided a few tips to help them cut down on false alarm calls, they include:

  • Proper placement of equipment so that debris/animals will not trigger alarms
  • Know your alarm codes
  • Secure all windows and doors
  • Replace batteries regularly
  • Report damaged or faulty equipment to the alarm company

 

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