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(12/9/2005)
Dallas Considers Leaving Businesses Hanging in the Wind Proposed ordinance would end police response to commercial burglar alarms Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) December 8, 2005 -- The Dallas City Council is considering an ordinance next week that will leave thousands of small businesses (many in high crime areas) without police protection for their burglar alarms. A proposal to end police response to burglar alarms means that gun stores, pharmacies, churches, schools and small businesses in Dallas will have to confirm that a crime has taken place before police will respond. "Economic development executives in cities that compete with Dallas for business will be overjoyed that Dallas has given them a huge advantage in recruiting and retaining businesses in their community," said Chris Russell, President of the North Texas Alarm Association. "What city would publicly announce that they lack enough officers to provide basic public safety services?" asked Russell. "Other cities have reduced false alarm rates by up to 76% percent without resorting to this 'nuclear option,'" said Russell. Cities that have adopted a verified response program continue to have crime rates that exceed the national average and concede the program does not reduce crime. Major cities including Fort Worth, Arlington and Los Angeles have all rejected this approach. In fact, only 24 out of approximately 18,000 municipal police departments refuse to respond to alarm. The city's $500,000 police efficiency study stated: "Burglaries are very invasive and unsettling crimes. Many citizens who have been burglarized consider their homes to have been violated and because the crime is so personal in nature want and expect a police officer to respond in person." “Why should we believe business owners feel less strongly about their no-response?” asked Russell. The Dallas City Council will vote on Wednesday December 14, 2005 on no police response for businesses, after rejecting no-response for homeowners.
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