May 23, 2011

 

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Dear Ken,

Remember the days when small mid-west towns a block long would set up speed-traps with the fat cop on a bike behind a billboard waiting to snare another city slicker who dared to violate the 20MPH speed limit?

The driver would be throne in jail 'til he paid a ridiculous fine or wait 'til after the 'fishing' holiday to see the justice of the peace.

Well guess what--our industry is experience just that sort of blackmail by the City of Fontana California!

Recently we received an alarm activation from a customer. We called the owner who said send PD. We call Fontana PD who said they would not respond unless alarm can be verified by an eye witness either on-site or via cameras or audio means. We notified owner who responded & found his premise had been burglarized & called PD who then responded.

Now here's the kicker-We as the alarm co. get a bill for $150 from Fontana not for them responding, not for violating any permitting issues, etc. this charge was for simply the 30 second call we made to them! Apparently a city code allows them to charge for just the call. I'm surprised they just don't just set up a "976" or "900" for this purpose.

COMMENTS FROM YOU OR YOUR READERS?

PS--I did speak to Fontana & they seem to be proud that they are probably 1 of the only cities in the nation that is doing this & sort of took the attitude that they are leading some sort of 'revolution'.

Thanks,

Dave Wyland

Security 1st

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Response

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Sounds strange to me. Did this police department forget that its their primary purpose to provide protection to the public? I suggest you refuse to pay the charge and challenge it on constitutional grounds. It may not be legal for the municipality to impose that kind of charge without getting state legislature approval for imposing what amounts to a tax.

How does the municipality intend to enforce the charge for out of state central station monitoring facilities? I doubt that will submit to that charge.