The State of Delaware has enacted a new registration program for alarm systems to reduce the number of costly false alarms.
To keep our customers up-to-date on the new regulations, below are a few key points of the new program.
Registration
The security system registration application form must be submitted to the security system administrator within 30 days after the system has been activated or within 30 days after a system takeover. Failure to submit a timely application will result in a unregistered security system, the use of which is a violation.
Duties of the security system user
A security system user shall:
Maintain the security system site and the security system in a manner that will minimize or eliminate false alarms.
Maintain at each security system site a set of written operating instructions for each security system. Adjust the mechanism or cause the mechanism to be adjusted so that an alarm signal audible on the exterior of a security system site will sound for no longer than 10 minutes after being activated.
Not use an automatic voice dialer.
Those security system users using a security business for monitoring shall provide that security business at least two different telephone numbers to verify an alarm
Violations of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section shall result in an assessment of a civil penalty against the security system user in the amount of $50. A violation of subsection (e) of this section shall result in the assessment of a civil penalty against the security system user in the amount of $100.
False Alarms
False alarm means a security system dispatch request to a law-enforcement authority, when no emergency of actual or threatened criminal activity requiring immediate response exists. This definition includes signals activated by negligence, accident, mechanical failure, and electrical failure; signals activated intentionally in non-emergency situations; and signals for which the actual cause is unknown.
There is a presumption that an alarm is false if personnel responding from a law enforcement authority do not discover any evidence of unauthorized entry, criminal activity, or other emergency after following normal police procedures in investigating the incident. An alarm is not false if the security system user proves that:
An individual activated the alarm based on a reasonable belief that an emergency or actual or threatened criminal activity requiring immediate response existed;
The security system was activated by a violent condition of nature, including but not limited to tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and lightning, or by an electrical surge that caused physical
damage to the system, as evidenced by testimony of a licensed security system contractor who has conducted an on-site inspection and personally observed the damage to the system;
If the security system user experienced a power outage, causing the alarm to activate upon restoration of power, as evidenced by written documentation provided by Delmarva Power or other
applicable provider.
You can review the entire ordinance and find instructions on how to register your security system by visiting the State of Delaware Prevention and Administration Site.
Delco Alarm Systems will be contacting ou Delaware customers by mail with this information. If you have any questions, please contact us at 610-494-9100.