May 22, 2018 Dear Super Neighborhood President and Council, The purpose of this letter is to provide important burglar alarm ordinance and alarm permit requirement information to the leaders of our community. City Ordinance requires burglar and panic alarm systems installed, in use, and/or monitored within the city limits to receive emergency response from the Houston Police Department to have a valid and current alarm permit. The residential or non-residential alarm system owner is responsible for any false alarm fees and penalties for violation of this ordinance. Many multi-unit residential properties and residents may already have permitted alarm systems with the city while others may be operating illegally. Why get a permit? In addition to being compliant with the ordinance, the Houston Police Department (HPD) may refuse to respond to an alarm notification from a non-permitted burglar alarm system. Non-permitted locations receiving police response are subject to costly penalties ranging today from $114.03 to $478.93 for each false alarm. A non-compliant location is a Class C misdemeanor and HPD could issue a citation. Additionally, residential burglar alarm permit holders receive their first 3 false burglar alarms and first false panic alarm free. Did you know last year 96% of all alarm calls HPD responded to were false? When HPD responds to false alarms, they are diverted from true emergencies, citywide response times increase, and limited city financial resources are strained. Proper alarm system installation and use combined with regular system maintenance can reduce false alarms. Enclosed are an alarm application and How to Apply Permit Guide detailing the three different ways to apply for an alarm permit: online, postal mail or in-person. We are happy to give a brief presentation to your organization and leadership to review the alarm program and answer any questions. To coordinate a presentation date and time, please contact Toya Ramirez at 832-394-9076. | 
