MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Madison, Connecticut

Alarm Systems

Questions and Answers
Pertaining to the Town of Madison Alarm Ordinance (see below)

QUESTION: Do I have to register my alarm?
ANSWER: Yes.

QUESTION: Is there a charge for alarm registration?
ANSWER: Yes. There is a charge of $5.00 for residential alarms and $20.00 for commercial alarms.

QUESTION: How do I register my alarm?
ANSWER: Alarms should be registered at least ten (10) days before the system is installed. You must complete a registration application form and return it to The Madison Department of Police Services, 9 Campus Drive, Madison, CT 06443 along with your check, or stop by the Police Department at 9 Campus Drive.

QUESTION: Is there a penalty for failure to register an alarm system?
ANSWER: Yes. Failure to register an alarm system shall result in a $50.00 fine.

QUESTION: How many false alarms does the ordinance allow?
ANSWER: Three (3) false alarms are allowed per calendar year.

QUESTION: What happens if I exceed three (3) false alarms in a calendar year?
ANSWER: You, as the alarm user, will be fined $25.00 for the fourth (4th) alarm and each subsequent false alarm transmitted during the calendar year. If you fail to pay the fine, you will be issued a summons for violation of the Town's Alarm Ordinance; you will then be responsible for an additional fine.

QUESTION: How will I know if a false alarm has occurred when I am away?
ANSWER:The police officer responding to the alarm will leave a copy of the "Alarm Report" at your door.

QUESTION: If I move into a house that already has a registered alarm, do I still have to register the system?
ANSWER: Yes

QUESTION: If I move within Madison and move my alarm system with me, do I have to re-register the alarm?
ANSWER: Yes

QUESTION: Is there a limit to the amount of time an exterior audible signal may sound?
ANSWER: Yes. Audible signals shall be restricted to a duration of thirty (30) minutes maximum.

In accordance with Madison's Town Ordinances relative to Alarm Systems (Section 3), listed is information pertinent to residential and commercial alarms.

An "Alarm System" means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or fire department personnel are expected to respond. This includes all burglar alarms, fire alarms, holdup and medical alarms and automatic telephone dialer alarms.>

Alarm System Registration (Sec. 3-4)

(a) Any person installing an alarm system with the Town of Madison shall register with the town at least ten (10) days prior to the date of anticipated installation. All existing alarm systems shall be registered with the Town (Police Department). To the extent permitted by law, the information furnished and secured shall be confidential in nature and shall not be subject to public disclosure or inspection and shall be kept so that the contents thereof shall remain of a confidential nature with the exception of those persons charged with the administration of this chapter.

(b) Registration of alarms systems shall be accomplished by filling out a form provided by the Town (Police Department).

(c) The fee for registration shall be five dollars ($5.00) for a residence and twenty dollars ($20.00) for a commercial establishment, and shall be a one-time charge.

Installation Specifications (Sec.3-5)

No alarm system shall be installed by other than a licensed person or other person meeting the requirements as set forth in the building and electrical codes of the state. No alarm system shall be installed unless an electrical permit to install an alarm system has been obtained from the town building official as is required by the building and electrical codes of the state.

Automatic Telephone Dialing Systems (Sec. 3-6)

(a) No person shall install an automatic telephone dialing system within the town the termination point of which is the Department of Police Services.

False Alarms

A False Alarm means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner of lessee of an alarm system or of his employees or agents. Such terminology does not include, for example, an actual emergency situation or an act of God (i.e., storms). Excluded from this definition are false alarms that are transmitted with criminal, malicious or mischievous intent. Such violations will be prosecuted under the applicable General Statutes.

Alarm System Application
For Further Information or Questions email to: infopd@madisonct.org
Madison Police Department 9 Campus Drive Madison, Connecticut 06443 203-245-2721