In 2015, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP responded to 492 calls from home alarm systems, and only 5 percent of those were valid.
These responses pose a threat to the safety of fire fighters, police and members of the public by creating unnecessary hazards, and can even cause a delayed response to a true emergency.
The Municipality of North Cowichan is hoping to change that by increasing the fines under their False Alarm Bylaw. CAO Mark Ruttan says the fine for three or more false alarms is going up from $200 to $500.
It’s estimated the cost of an RCMP response to a false alarm is $340, while a fire department response is about $950.
Homeowners get a warning letter from the municipality after their second false alarm, before being billed for the third false alarm and any other after that.
