Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

In the fall of 2001, Fairfax County created the False Alarm Reduction Unit with the goal of reducing the number of false security alarms.  As of January 1, 2002, homeowners and business owners with existing alarm systems were required to register the alarms.  To date, 41,000 commercial and residential alarms have been registered in Fairfax County. Last year, police responded to roughly 3,800 false alarms per month.

Although the program is still fairly new, early reports show that the number has dropped to roughly 3,100 false alarms per month.  With your continued cooperation and compliance, hopefully that number will continue to decrease.  Here are a few reminders for those who have not registered their alarms or continue to have police responding to false alarms:

• If the police respond to a home or business with an alarm that has not been registered, a $50 fine will be imposed.


• Registration forms can be obtained from the business' or homeowner's alarm company.  Once the form is filled out, it should be returned to the alarm company along with a $10 fee.  The alarm company will then forward it to the Police Department.


• Each home or business owner is allowed two false alarms within a year's timeframe without being fined.  Subsequent false alarms within the year will incur a fine for each response, costing the owner $50 for the third false alarm, and $100 for the fourth.


• If an owner has three false alarms in one year, an inspection of the alarm system by the alarm company may be required.  Failure to provide proof of inspection within 30 days will result in a $100 fine.


• If the police respond to an alarm activation and it is determined to be false, contact with the owner will be attempted.  If contact is unsuccessful, a note will be left on the door explaining that police were there.


• If an owner moves or needs to update information, they should call the False Alarm Reduction Unit at 703-280-0626, TTY 711, or send e-mail to alarms@fairfaxcounty.gov.