Rochester Hills Legistar System

Chief Walterhouse briefly explained that the Fire Department's average medical

emergency response times fall within the standards set by the County of eight (8)

minutes ninety percent (90%) of the time. He did note that the response times

occasionally will fall beyond the eight (8) minutes depending on location, time of day and

traffic.

Mr. Duistermars noted that this information would be passed along to Mr. Robbins who

had requested the information but was unable to attend the evening's meeting.

Memo from Clerk's Office - New Agenda/Minutes Format

012604 new agenda min format Legistar.pdf

Memo from Clerk's Office - Amendments to Bylaws

Committee Bylaws Amendments 012104.pdf; PS Bylaws Final

01-21-04.pdf

Request from Public Safety for City Council to discuss False Alarm Program at

future City Council Work Session

Agenda Summary.pdf; 020204 False Alarm info.pdf; PS Minutes Reg

020204.pdf; 2004-0032 Master Report.pdf; 040204 Smith Capt R.pdf

Captain Smith introduced Deputy Dan Clark explaining that Mr. Clark had previously

worked for the City of Troy Police Department where he implemented and administered

a program which significantly reduced the number of false alarm calls.

Mr. Clark, noting that nearly ninety-nine percent (99%) of alarm calls to police

departments are false, explained the program used in Troy as well as many other

municipalities throughout the United States. The program, as he described it, uses the

following techniques:

- The City ordinance is written to require that all homeowners and businesses with

monitored alarm systems register these systems with the City and pay an annual

registration fee.

- The ordinance clarifies that the City and its Police Department are under no obligation

to respond to alarms, especially in the case of repeated falls alarms.

- The ordinance defines a fine structure to be implemented in the case of repeated false

alarms. For example, a $100 fine for the third and fourth false alarm, $200 for the fifth

and sixth false alarm, $500 for every false alarm thereafter.

- A sworn officer must should be assigned to this program to add authority and weight to

the implementation of the program.

- A clerk will may be needed to build and maintain a data base of alarm system

registrants.

- A properly maintained data base will also function as documentation to be presented in

court were litigation brought by a homeowner or business in the event of the police not

responding to an appropriate alarm.

- The program, after approximately five (5) years of consistent implementation, will yield

significantly fewer false alarms.

Mr. Clark stressed that the program is not designed to "pay for itself" through fines and

registration fees, but rather to reduce false alarm calls to the police department, thus

freeing officers to respond to more pressing duties.

Following in-depth discussion of the program, Committee members reached a

consensus to move a resolution to have a presentation of this program made before City

Council at a future Work Session.

A motion was made by Raschke, seconded by Formanczyk, that this matter be

Recommended for Approval to the City Council Work Session. Whereas,

significant problems are caused in Rochester Hills by a large number of Police

responses to false alarm systems. These false alarms cause man power

problems, costs, liability issues and greater harm by reducing the credibility of all

alarms.

Whereas, other communities have instituted programs involving alarm

registration and a scale of fines for repeat false alarms.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Rochester Hills City Council Public Safety

Committee recommends that City Council invite Captain Bob Smith and Deputy

Dan Clark to a future City Council Work Session to present both the problems and

proposed solutions.

Whereas, significant problems are caused in Rochester Hills by a large number of

Police responses to false alarm systems. These false alarms cause man power

problems, costs, liability issues and greater harm by reducing the credibility of all

alarms.

Whereas, other communities have instituted programs involving alarm

registration and a scale of fines for repeat false alarms.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Rochester Hills City Council Public Safety

Committee recommends that City Council invite Captain Bob Smith and Deputy

Dan Clark to a future City Council Work Session to present both the problems and

proposed solutions.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Ms. Raschke indicated that she had received a complaint from a resident who claimed

the traffic lights at the Fire Station's on Livernois and Walton were not functioning

properly and, thus, were not stopping traffic when the fire engines were exiting the

stations.

Chief Walterhouse explained that the lights are engaged differently depending on the

time of day and the amount of traffic on the roads. He noted that this is more so the

case for the Livernois Fire Station, and he would look into the matter at the Walton Fire

Station.

Mr. Formanczyk asked Mr. Duistermars when the participation in the Narcotics Task

Force issue would be added to a City Council meeting agenda.

Mr. Duistermars explained that the City Council meeting agenda is set by the Council

President and that the matter has been brought to his attention.

Mr. Duistermars and Ms. Raschke assured their fellow Committee members they would

make every effort to influence the Council President to move forward with this issue.