ALARM ORDINANCE
In September of 1992, Midland joined most other cities in Texas with the establishment of an ordinance to regulate alarm calls to the Police Department. This ordinance requires that all alarms, both residential and commercial, be permitted through the Police Records Division. Permits cost $20 for residential, and $25 for commercial alarms. The permits are good for one year. A permit application may be obtained at the Police & Communications building at 601 N. Loraine.
FALSE ALARMS
All alarm calls which result in the dispatch of an officer are tracked. Any calls which are considered by the officer to be a false alarm (defined as being not weather related or due to a criminal act or attempted criminal act), are attached to the appropriate permit. Five false alarm calls are given to the permit holder. After the fifth call, the permit holder will be assessed a $50 fee for each additional false alarm call within a 12 month period. The 12 month period begins at the time of the first false alarm. False alarm calls remain on the permit for 12 months. After 12 months, the false alarm call is dropped. The permit holder will be notified by mail of each alarm call which has the designation of being a false alarm to help them keep track of the status of their permit.
RENEWAL OF PERMITS
Permit holders are notified by mail when their permits are due to be renewed. If permits are renewed before expiration, the cost is $15 for residential, $20 for commercial. Renewal may be done through the mail, as long as any fees which have been assessed are paid.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
A permit may be transferred from one address to another. Notification must be made to the Police Records Division at 685-7145 or by mail. When a permit holder moves, he remains responsible for alarm calls to the address of the permit until notification of the change is made to the Records Division. Any other changes to information pertinent to the permit may be made in the same way.
ALARM SERVICE COMPANIES
Any agreements between Alarm service companies and the users of their services (the permit holder) are between them as businesses and their customers. The Police Department will answer an alarm call when requested, but cannot mediate any disputes as to the responsibility for the payment of fees, the condition and proper functioning of alarm equipment, etc.
TEXAS BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM INFORMATION
One change to Section 1702.286- Duties of Alarm Systems Company became effective January 1, 2006, and effects both alarm companies and municipalities.
Within 30 days after installation or activation of the alarm system, the alarm company shall notify the municipality. The notification shall include:
- alarm system company name
alarm system occupant of the alarm system location
- address of the alarm system location
- date of installation or activation of the alarm system
- the information provided to a governmental body is confidential
- this section does not apply to personal emergency response system
An alarm systems company commits an offense if it does not provide the information required by this sub-section. The offense will be considered a Class C misdemeanor.
Information provided by the Midland Police Department
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