Title
Security Alarms - False Alarm Reduction and Permit Program
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Authorize the City Manager to execute the attached contract with PM AM Corporation.
BACKGROUND:
The Oregon City Police Department operates the City’s False Alarm Reduction and Permit program per Ordinance 01-1017, Chapter 5.08 Alarm Systems using software owned by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office. In February of 2018 the Sheriff’s Office notified the Police Department that the software will be decommissioned effective July 1, 2018.
To address the problem, staff researched and interviewed prospective alarm software companies and reviewed best practices with the existing ordinance. The proposed solution is to enter into a contract with PM AM Corporation (PMAM) to operate the City’s alarm program. Additionally, other agencies in the County have already implemented this monitoring program with PMAM.
The reason for the change in operations approach is twofold. First, as noted above, the City must change with the decommissioning of the County’s current software. Second, with projected Oregon City population growth, it is anticipated that the number of alarm permits will also increase. The continued increase of the program becomes a challenge to records personnel who have increasing police support work demands and responsibilities. The PMAM program lessens the burdens of police records personnel. PMAM’s program should also result in greater compliance of existing alarm systems; including billing, education of citizens, managing collections, and software maintenance; as well as decreased false alarms which will result in increased response time for true alarm occurrences. See attached Value of Alarm Permits & Registrations Handout for further details.
This contract will be followed shortly with proposed revisions to OCMC Chapter 5.08, governing alarm systems in the City. Additionally, there will be a recommended fee structure change based on what the City cur...
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