Columbia Police enforcing false alarm ordinance

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– In an effort to reduce the number of false alarm calls generated by residential and business security alarm systems, a new ‘excessive false alarm’ ordinance is now being enforced, says Columbia Police.

Police say the process enables the enforcement of amended City Ordinance Chapter 10, Law Enforcement, Article 1 False Security Alarms (2023-0123).

The ordinance states that three or more false alarms at the same location within a year is considered excessive and will include a specified user fee.

Under the Ordinance, a false alarm means ‘the activation of an alarm system when, upon inspection by the police department, there is no evidence of unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm.’

There are three main causes of False Alarms:
1. User Error
2. Installation/Service Errors
3. Equipment Failure

Columbia Police Department says in 2022, officers responded to more than 11,000 alarm calls and 95% of which were false alarms.

The false alarms that occurred each year led to the City of Columbia entering a partnership with CentralSquare False Alarm Solutions
and the computer software ‘CryWolf’ in June 2024.

The technology tracks, reports and bills alarm owners for repeat false alarms, say officials.

The amended ordinance does not require an alarm registration process but will impose fines for excessive false alarms annually from July 1 – June 30:

• Third through seventh false alarm = $100.00 Per Occurrence
• Eighth and ninth false alarm = $250.00 Per Occurrence
•  Tenth or more false alarm = $500.00 Per Occurrence
  ** No fee will be assessed for weather-related alarm activations **

There is an appeals process and currently, all appeals will be submitted to the Office of the City Manager for final determination.

To learn more, visit the City of Columbia’s False Alarm Management Prevention and Administration website: https://www.crywolfservices.com/columbiapolicesc/.