Detroit police are considering a proposal to not respond to most burglar alarms at homes and businesses unless a crime in progress has been verified by an alarm company or a 911 caller — a plan aimed at freeing more officers to respond to other emergencies.
According to an AP report, the plan was pitched Monday to a Detroit City Council committee. It also would require residents to register alarms with the city for a fee, much like some suburban communities require. Anyone who doesn’t register an alarm faces a $100 fine if police respond to a false call.
Council members are expected to continue debating the issue next week.
The city averages more than 15,000 burglaries a year, the report says, but less than 1 percent of the more than 60,000 burglar alarms that sound each year in Detroit are credible.
Exceptions to the proposed crime-in-progress verification would be made for people who hit a panic button on their alarm or if they call 911 and say they feel they are in danger, the report says.