A new Delta police policy has resulted in a 45 per cent reduction in false alarm calls, saving more than 700 operational hours.
Chief Neil Dubord presented the findings of the department’s false alarm strategy at the Feb. 13 police board meeting.
Dubord said data indicated that false alarms use a significant amount of patrol resources.
In order to address the issue, the department collaborated with alarm companies operating in Delta and amended its procedures for call response between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. by using an enhanced call verification process.
Dubord said this protocol placed more responsibility on alarm companies to verify legitimacy of alarms prior to calling police.
“The impact of a new false alarm protocol on calls for service illustrates the importance of continuous evaluation of the DPD service delivery model,” added Dubord. “Front line resources are incredibly valuable, and freeing up 700 hours for proactive duties will create significant returns for the overall public strategy.”
