Proposal Would Add Police, Solve Alarm Problems

Legislation proposed by Ald. Zielinski would enable the city to hire more police officers and cut down the number of false burglar alarms.

Police officials say 96% of burglar alarm calls they receive and investigate are false alarms. Each year the amount of police personnel time required to check on false alarms costs taxpayers about $1.2 million, according to the MPD. Under Ald. Zielinski's proposal a $70 annual fee on alarm owners would generate $3.5 million per year, resulting in a net profit for the city of about $2.3 million.

Ald. Zielinski is working with State Senate Jeff Plale, who is preparing state legislation requiring police to respond to all burglar alarms. Current state law leaves the decision to respond in the hands of each department.