The high incidence of alarm systems or devices that emit false alarms is a major threat to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Suffolk County. In 1992, when the law was first implemented, the police responded to 117,000 false alarms, most of which were non-residential. However, while the number of false alarms has increased to 127,000, the majority of this increase is due to calls from residential systems. Despite a Suffolk County legislator attempting to nullify the hidden tax rate, the police department insists that it is a necessary rate to reduce the growing number of false alarms.
Nearly 400 business owners in Suffolk County have been informed that if they do not pay a burglar alarm license fee, the police will not respond if their alarm goes off. Robert Cimino, a Suffolk County lawyer, stated that there was nothing in the law that addressed fines or the legality of withholding service, and that it would be up to a business owner to take legal action against the police. Paul Messina, commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police Licensing Office, explained that the purpose of the permit was to encourage business owners to be more vigilant in operating their alarm systems. Steven Hackeling, a Huntington Republican and Suffolk County legislator, argued that business owners already pay for police service with their taxes and should not have to pay an additional fee.
The Suffolk County Police Department recommends that people protect any object in their home or business that their alarm system can detect and “read as a potential intruder”. This includes items such as windows, doors, and other entry points. By taking these steps, people can help reduce the number of false alarms and ensure that the police are able to respond quickly and effectively when they are needed. In order to reduce false alarms and ensure that emergency services are able to respond quickly and effectively when needed, it is important for people to take steps to protect their homes and businesses from potential intruders.
This includes securing windows, doors, and other entry points with an alarm system. Additionally, businesses should consider obtaining a burglar alarm license fee in order to ensure that police will respond if their alarm goes off. By taking these steps, people can help reduce the number of false alarms and ensure that emergency services are able to respond quickly and effectively when needed.
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