OCPD Urges Residents To Register Alarms To Be In Compliance With New Ordinance Requirements

Oklahoma City has some new rules when it comes to home and business alarms. The Oklahoma City Police Department wants to reduce the number of false alarms officers respond to.

The first message police officials want to send to the public is to renew their alarm permits or register their alarms with the city.

Every year Oklahoma City police responds to thousands of false alarms.

“We’re talking about 50 to 60,000 calls a year that we respond to that are false,” said Major Beto Balderrama, Oklahoma City Police Department. 

Balderrama said nearly half the homes and businesses with alarms are not even registered with the city. He said police and first responders need residents to register for safety reasons and their own peace of mind. 

“Who is the business owner, who is the homeowner, the responsible party?” Balderrama said. “That way we can contact them during emergency situations.” 

Residents have until May 30 to re-register or get a new, valid permit. After that date, the public will see a big change in police response. 

“If you don’t have a permit and it’s a run of the mill if you will, burglar alarm, we’re not responding and that’s going to be a huge difference,” said Balderrama.

Police and fire will continue to respond to hold-up alarms, panic alarms and fire alarms.

Here is a breakdown of the new program:

New alarm permits are $27. Under the new ordinance, the first three false alarms are free, but the 4th and 5th are billed. The 6th false alarm will revoke a permit, until it is reinstated for $17.

“We want folks to be responsible and we want to respond to the active alarms, the real alarms,” Balderrama said. “The one where people need our help.”

To register an alarm go to okc.gov/alarm and click on Register Online or go to crywolfservices.com/oklahomacityok.