Politics & Government

City Pulls Back From New Alarm Registry, Permit Fee

Plan to tighten up on residents, businesses with alarm systems was improperly approved.

The had already created a new required 2012 registry for home and business alarm systems and announced the change when the city called do-overs.

According to Police Sgt. Salvatore Alioto, who would have administered the program, shortly after he launched the registration this week he was contacted by City Attorney Alan Kesner and told to put it on hold.

"Apparently, it was improper for it to have been approved in the city budget," Alioto said. "(Kesner) said it should have been separately passed by the Common Council."

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Alioto said he did not not know when the council might consider the change, but he said the Police Department had been asked to pull together language for a resolution.

Considering the limited holiday calendar of city meetings before the end of the year, it's possible the city won't be able to institute the program on schedule.

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Beginning Jan. 1, residents and owners of businesses in Wauwatosa who expected police to respond to a security alarm would have had to register their system and pay an annual permit fee.

The permit would cost $20 and would require the alarm owner to register certain information with the Police Department. If the plan is approved, that information, such as the alarm company, authorized keyholders and phone numbers, will be used by officers when they respond to an alarm.

Police say that information will allow officers to more easily contact property owners in the event of an emergency. Keyholder information will be updated on a yearly basis when permits are renewed.

Unless the Common Council changes the progrm, homes and businesses that have had false alarm fees in the past will be sent a registration notice, along with a keyholder information sheet.

Late registrations would be subject to a $50 late fee. Failure to register an alarm system with the city would be a violation subject to a citation and fine.

Sgt. Alioto had created the registry and registration forms, created a download link for the forms on the city website and put out media announcements when the word came to stand down.

"For the time being, if you've heard about it and try to register, you can't," Alioto said. "I'll just send your check right back to you."


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