Aug 26, 2009- An article in the McKinney Courier-Gazette reported that the McKinney City Council is discussing ways to better improve the verified response policy for security alarms. The McKinney Police Department currently requires that security alarms have a permit. That means ‘no permit – no reponse’ for those who have not obtained a permit for their alarm systems. Discussions are underway to change this policy, in order to improve service to residents.
Human Activated Alarms
In the case of a human activated alarm, either by hitting a panic button or call, for panic/duress, robbery, or medical emergency, the McKinney police are dispatched regardless of whether or not there is a permit verification. This policy would not be changed. According to Police Chief Doug Kowalski, “That’s a person at risk.”
What will the new changes mean?
First of all, the new policy would mean the police would be dispatched with any alarm, except in the case of a tripped alarm. In that instance, the alarm company would then have to provide secondary information before police are dispatched. The amendment would require the alarm monitoring company to provide information that would verify the need to dispatch an officer.
Secondly, this would free up more officers on the streets. Residents are voicing concerns over needing more officers, and this new policy could possibly alleviate the need to hire new ones.
http://www.courier-gazette.com/mckinney_courier-gazette/news/
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