What you need to know if you have an alarm system in your home or business.

Do you need a Registration?

YES! Upon installation of an alarm system, complete an alarm user registration form (available online or in person at the police department). Annual registrations are then required each January after the initial registration.

Click here to register your alarm  

Has something changed in regards to your alarm such as a keyholder or responsible party?  You need to let us know that as well.  Any updated information can be noted on the registration form.

Any questions can be emailed to Paysonpd@paysonaz.gov.  

Did you know?

• In 2023, the Payson Police Department responded to 355 alarm calls.

• 89% of those were false alarms.

• False alarms delay response to calls that may be REAL emergencies and cost the Town of Payson thousands of dollars each year.
• Not only do false alarms delay response to real emergencies, but they can also be very disruptive to the neighborhoods surrounding the alarm.
• Human error is the largest single cause of false alarms.

What is a false alarm?

• Any activation of an alarm eliciting a response by police personnel when a situation requiring a response does not in fact exist. This can include but are not limited to:
• Mechanical failure or malfunction
• User error
• Intention activation when no criminal or emergency condition exists
• Any other cause not related to an actual or attempted criminal act. This can include calls that are later cancelled

What is NOT considered a false alarm?

• Any alarm caused by a severe act of nature
• Activation for routine testing/installation if advance notice has been given to the police department
• Testing/repair/malfunction of utility lines or equipment not under control of the alarm user
• Malicious acts of persons not under the direction or control of alarm user
• Proprietary alarms that do not result in a call to police
• Independent, stand-alone alarm systems installed or placed by or at the direction of the Payson Police Department for law enforcement purposes.

How to Avoid False Alarms

• Make sure your alarm company has a list current, reachable contact numbers and is notified of all changes (house guests, name changes, new renters, employee changes, etc.)
• Ask your alarm monitoring company to call you prior to calling police (Enhanced Verified Response)
• Make sure users of your alarm system are familiar with the alarm system operations.
• Secure and check doors and windows before turning on the system.
• Be aware of changes in environment (new animals, design changes, decorations, plants). Don’t leave pets unsecured with motion detectors.
• Equipment should be routinely inspected / maintained by qualified personnel (check all contacts and routinely dust motion detectors).

 What to do if your alarm goes off inadvertently.

• Don’t call 911 unless it is a true emergency, your alarm company will contact police to notify of the alarm.
• Disarm your alarm system
• Wait a few minutes for your alarm company to either call you or you can call your alarm company directly to give them your passcode
  • Explain the circumstances of the false alarm
  • Confirm they haven’t called police
  • Follow the alarm company’s directions

False Alarm Assessment Fees

The following assessments will be levied against the alarm user, or responsible party, for each response by the Payson Police Department to a false alarm within a 12-month period, which begins on January 1st of each year.

Unregistered Alarm Response Fees

Is there an appeal process?

Yes.  If an alarm owner, believes they have been charged unjustly based on the cause or exemption or a false alarm, they can complete a written Request for Review.  This completed form must be submitted to the Alarm Coordinator for reconsideration no later than the delinquent date for payment.  This completed form can be returned either by mail, in person, or by email as noted below.  All Requests for Review will be reviewed by the Chief of Police’s designee.  

For more information, contact:

 Payson Police Department

 Alarm Coordinator

303 N. Beeline Highway

Payson, AZ 85541

(928) 472-5098

(928) 474-4558 (FAX)

paysonpd@paysonaz.gov

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