What you need to know about the Washoe County False Alarm Reduction Program
Imagine getting an unexpected $300.00 fine. Yowzers!
Don’t worry - it’s easily preventable.
Read on to learn why this has happened to some Washoe county residents and how you can avoid it.
Of course, many people install alarm systems to protect their family and possessions. But, you might be surprised to learn that according to the county’s false alarm reduction website “99% or more of all the burglar alarms police respond on are false.”
Those statistics are the reason why we think the Washoe County False Alarm Reduction Program is a good thing. The program applies to anyone with a monitored alarm system, or even an unmonitored alarm system that’s audible, meaning the alarm can be heard from outside your home or business.
No doubt you’d agree, that in those rare instances when you need to call for help, you want help to come right away! But there might not be enough resources to get to you quickly if officers are inundated with false alarms.
So to help make sure lawn enforcement can be there for us when we really need them, Washoe County has teamed up with an organization called CryWolf, with the goal of reducing false alarms. Here are a few things you need to know...
How to avoid that $300 fine? Apply for a permit.
Without a permit you can be fined up to $300 for a false alarm. That being said, even with the permit you can be fined for false alarms, but the fine is much less. More about that in a minute.
First, an alarm permit is only $24 a year. And if you’re 65 years or older, it’s only $12.
You can register online at crywolfservices.com/washoe/ - or by calling (855) 664-4324.
Second, if you have a permit, you can still get a fine. But it is significantly less than without a permit. The FAQ section of the False Alarm Reduction Program’s website lists the fines. For example, it currently lists a $100 fine for a burglar or audible alarm. While fines are never fun, that’s obviously much better than $300.
Again, the whole point is to prevent officers from running around on wild goose chases so they can keep us safe.
You can also help reduce false alarms by reviewing the False Alarm Prevention Tips on the website.
Improving the use of our law enforcement’s resources makes our town a better place to live and vacation. Please share this with everyone you know in Incline Village that has an alarm or is thinking of installing one.