In May 2008, the RTM enacted a new alarm ordinance. Starting January 1, 2009, the Town of Darien will be charging a fee of $100 for false police alarms. All alarm owners are required to register their alarm systems. The new Police & Fire Alarm Registration Form, along with other pertinent information, is available online at www.darienpolice.org/crywolf, and may be accessed by scrolling down the home page and clicking on the New Police and Fire Alarm Registration link. The form is also available at Police Headquarters, at the Fire Marshal’s office, and at the Darien Library. Completed registration forms can be filled out online and emailed, dropped off at Police Headquarters, mailed, or faxed. In addition to the $100 false alarm fee, there will be an additional fee of $25 for any alarm system not registered. Alarm owners already registered with the fire department must update their registration by re-registering with the new form. The fire alarm ordinance has been in place since November 2001.

The ordinance states that a false police alarm “means the activation of an alarm system to which police department personnel respond, such as burglar alarms, duress alarms, holdup alarms, intrusion alarms and panic alarms, and which is not caused by a criminal act or an actual emergency. For purposes of sections 5-7 and 5-8 [the sections on fines], once police arrive at the alarm site, it shall be considered a false police alarm.”

The purpose of the alarm ordinance is to reduce false alarms in the town by having alarm owners take steps to prevent false alarms. These actions include installing proper equipment appropriately; operating the alarm systems to minimize false alarms; maintaining the alarm system; having monitoring companies verify false alarms; and canceling alarms that are determined to be false.

The fire department had over 800 false fire alarms and the police department responded to over 2000 false police alarms in 2008. If you have any questions regarding completing the alarm registration form, call or visit the Darien Library Information Desk at 655-1234 ext. 100. For specific questions regarding the new false police alarm ordinance e-mail AlarmRegistration@darienct.gov or contact Captain Fred Komm at police headquarters, 662-5312.