All business and residential alarm owners are required to register/renew their alarm systems on an annual basis.

Each year, the Savage Police Department responds to hundreds of false alarms. These unnecessary responses are costly and dangerous because they take officers away from other duties and reduce the time available to respond to real emergencies. The Best Practice Alarm Registration program is in place to help reduce the number of false alarm calls. It requires all business and residential alarm owners to register/renew their alarm systems on an annual basis. Registration is free and can be done online.

The Best Practice Alarm Registration program is free, but you must renew your registration every year. If there are any questions regarding the Alarm Registration program, please contact the Savage Police Department at 952-882-2600.

Alarm Registration Requirements 

Before registering your alarm, please review these three alarm registration requirements:

1. Review the City Code Chapter 99 Regulation of Alarm Systems.
2. Contact your alarm monitoring company to make sure they use Enhanced Call Verification and that you are signed up to use it. This means that your alarm company has at least two numbers to call, to give you an opportunity to cancel the alarm before they dispatch police.
3. View the Alarm User Training Video. Alarm users are responsible for reviewing and understanding these regulations before they install their alarm system.

If you meet all three of these requirements, complete the Alarm Registration Form. Paper forms are also available at the Police Department, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage.

False Alarm Fees

There are user fees for false alarms. The first two false alarm fees are reduced if you have registered your alarm. The current Alarm User Fees are listed in the table below.

Help Prevent False Alarms

More than 80% of false alarms are caused by human error and are preventable. The most common causes of false alarms are:

• User error/using incorrect key pad code
• Faulty equipment
• Unlocked or loose doors and windows
• Low batteries

Before You Activate Your Alarm System

• Train all users. To avoid false alarms, ensure that everyone with access to your location has the proper codes and passwords for your alarm system. This may include employees, family members, neighbors, cleaning crews, private contractors etc.
• Routinely test the equipment. Make sure that your system is in good working order. Check the batteries on an annual basis and replace as needed. If the alarm is not working properly, schedule a service call with an alarm technician.
• Secure all windows and doors. Also keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters etc. away from motion sensor areas.
• Practice. Know how much time you have after arming your system to leave and to disarm your system when you enter. Rehearse the process to cancel an accidental alarm. Anyone with the access code should know this process.
• Require Enhanced Call Verification. This provides the alarm monitoring company with at least two people to contact if the alarm goes off. This gives you an opportunity to cancel the alarm before they dispatch police. Make sure that the contact numbers on file with your alarm company are always up to date.

What to Do if You Set Your Alarm Off Accidentally

1. Don’t panic. There is time. Enter your disarm code (carefully) to reset your system. Remember if there were a burglar, he or she would not know your code. Do not write it on your keypad.
2. Wait for your alarm monitoring company to call. Give your password or ID card number. This is different from your disarm code. Be sure to follow all procedures established by your alarm monitoring company.
3. Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring company. If they do not call you, have the number posted by your control panel and contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
4. Arrange with your alarm monitoring company to call you or another designated person first, before the police are called whenever your alarm is activated.
5. If you are aware of a problem with your system, you can cancel the police dispatch.

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