The City of Sterling Heights is following a growing nationwide trend of enforcing accountability of frequent false alarm offenders. The City has contracted with EnablePoint Corporation, a Michigan based software firm, to assist in the management of false alarm data.

The EnablePoint software product was originally developed with built in functionality to adapt to any municipality’s ordinance. After evaluation of the software at the Michigan Association of Government Computer Users (MAGCU) conference last fall, and an additional presentation at the City offices, The City became convinced the product could provide the proper information management and assess fees according to the newly defined ordinance and fee schedule. The software will also interface with the police and fire CLEMIS dispatch systems and MUNIS city financial software.

The ordinance, approved on March 16, 2005, includes three different fee structures; police frequent false alarm offenders will receive a warning letter for the first two occurrences and a fine for subsequent offenses. The fines are different based on the number of the alarm and if the address is a commercial or residential location. False fire alarms are handled differently; they will receive a warning letter on the first offense regardless of commercial or residential status, and an escalating fine assessment for each additional false alarm.

The software will track the number of alarms for each fee tracking type in a “rolling” calendar year, meaning the last 365 days. The software product can be set to accommodate a fixed calendar year or the rolling calendar style.

Sterling Heights estimates frequent false alarm offenders are costing the city an average of $240,000 per year in police, fire, and equipment costs. False alarm reduction efforts not only assist in recovering and reducing these costs, they also provide a safer environment for police and fire personnel, as well as the safety of the municipality’s residents.

About EnablePoint
EnablePoint is an information technology firm that is focused on growing and marketing the false alarm management product nationwide due to the increasing demand for this type of solution. The firm has four software developers continuously enhancing the product, along with our core competencies, custom software and network engineering.

Contact Information
EnablePoint Corporation
PO BOX 511218
Livonia Mi 48151
Office 734-268-6058
Frank A. Farren, direct line 734-634-1576
Website www.falsealarmsoftware.com
Email frank@enablepoint.com