December 15, 1997
TO: Metropolitan Toronto Human Services Committee
FROM: Maureen Prinsloo, Chair
Metro Toronto Police Services Board
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE ALARM COST RECOVERY PROGRAM
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the following report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background History:
At its meeting on December 12, 1997, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the following report (October 27, 1997) from David J. Boothby, Chief of Police:
"SUBJECT: One Year Report on the Alarm Cost Recovery Initiative
RECOMMENDATION: THAT the Board receive the following report.
BACKGROUND:
In September 1996, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service commenced a process of levying fees against Alarm Central Monitoring Stations when they called upon the police to respond to false alarms.
This process was commenced following Metro Council’s approval of Board by-law #110, (Board Minute 298/96 refers).
Since the start of this process, the Service has faced a number of challenges, including a legal challenge to the by-law, and refusals to pay the invoiced fees. The legal challenge put forth by the Canadian Alarms and Security Association (CANASA) has been abandoned and Central Monitoring Stations are now paying invoiced fees.
During the period of September 1996 to September 1997, the Service issued invoices totalling $2,122,248.79, for responding to 26,968 false alarm calls.
The Service has seen a significant reduction in alarm calls since the implementation of the cost recovery initiative. In 1995, prior to the cost recovery initiative, the Service responded to 69,014 false alarms. During the first year of the cost recovery initiative, our false alarm calls plummeted to 26,986, a reduction of over 60%. The attached graph shows the comparative numbers of false and valid alarms calls for 1995 through to 1997.
Over the last six months our service demands and revenue levels have stabilized. It is expected that revenue and service demands relating to false alarms will remain within 10-15% of our current level for the next 12 months. The revenue projection for 1998 is approximately $1.7 million.
Deputy Chief S. Reesor (local 8-8001) will be in attendance to answer any questions on this matter."
Conclusions:
The Board received the foregoing.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Deputy Chief Steven Reesor, Operational Support Command, 808-8001.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Prinsloo
Chair
A:\ALARMFEE.LET
