Alarm permit applications may be returned to 255 College St. (Lobby of the Police Station) or mail to: City of Beaumont-Police Department Records Management/Alarms P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont, TX 77704
A City ordinance requires residents and businesses to obtain permits for any alarm system. Initial fee is $15.00.
Standards of Operation
Chapter 2 1/2, Article II of the City of Beaumont Code of Ordinances relating to the regulation of alarm systems was amended on March 7, 1995, June 6, 1995, December 9, 1997 and March 7, 2000. The amended ordinances require that the user obtain a permit prior to operating an alarm system. Following are details of the requirements included in the ordinance.
Alarm User Responsibilities
A person commits an offense if he operates or causes to be operated an alarm system without a permit.
A separate permit is required for each alarm site.
The name of the person who will be responsible for the alarm system is required. A company name is not acceptable.
The owner or manager of an apartment complex which provides alarm services must obtain a "master" alarm permit for the alarm system if it is operated in any residential unit on the premises.
A tenant in an apartment complex must also obtain a permit before operating an individual alarm system in his apartment unit.
Permits are $15 and are renewable annually for $10 when renewed by the expiration date of the permit.
A change of address or name requires the issuance of a new permit. However, there is no additional charge.
A change in ownership of a business requires the issuance of a new permit which will require a payment of a $15 fee.
Renewal notices are mailed out prior to the expiration of the permit. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to renew the permit prior to expiration. A $15 fee will be charged if the permit has expired.
A Permit Holder Shall:
Maintain premises containing an alarm system in a manner that ensures proper operation of the alarm system so as to minimize false alarm notifications.
Ensure that the permitted alarm system does not automatically dial 911 which is the Emergency Communication System.
Respond or cause a representative to respond within one hour when notified by the City to provide access to the premises, or provide security for the premises.
Not activate an alarm for any reason other than the occurrence of an event that the alarm system was intended to report. A holdup, panic, or hostage device should only be activated in a life threatening situation.
Properly educate all users of the alarm system so as to minimize false alarm notifications.
Ensure that an alarm signal will sound for no longer than 15 minutes after being activated.
Ensure that upon activation, the system will not transmit another alarm signal without first being manually or automatically reset.
Ensure that alarm signals reported through a relaying intermediary comply with the requirements established by the Chief of police.
Pay a service fee of $50 for each false alarm notification indicating that a burglary has occurred that is in excess of eight (8) false burglary alarms within any (12) month continuous period.
Each subsequent reinstatement thereafter will require a payment of $100.
Payment of "service fees" are due within 5 days from receipt of certified letter. After the 5 days, the permit will be revoked and the location will be placed in a "No Response" status.
Payment of service fees from the individual alarm system in an apartment unit are the responsibility of the tenant. The "master" alarm permit holder is responsible for payment of service fees from unoccupied units served by the system provided by the complex.
If an alarm site is not permitted, the Beaumont Police Department will respond 1 time or for 5 days from the date of notification by certified mail.
After 5 days the location will be placed in a "No Response" status. At this time, the Police Department will no longer respond to a burglary alarm activation at the location. Once a permit is obtained and all fines and fees are paid, response will be re-established.
A person who operates an alarm system may be cited to court for violating any of the following sections of the ordinance:
Operating an alarm system without a permit or while a permit is revoked.
Failing to respond within one hour upon request by the Police Department to the alarm site.
Activating an alarm for the wrong purpose.
Allowing the alarm to sound for more than 15 minutes.
A permit can be revoked if:
There was a false statement made in the application of a permit, or any false statement was made by the applicant in connection with the permit application.
The permit holder has violated the provisions of this chapter.
The permit holder has failed to make payment of fees assessed under this chapter.
The permit holder does not maintain the alarm system in a manner that minimizes false alarm notifications or ensures proper operation of the alarm system.
If an alarm permit is revoked, the alarm site is classified as an unpermitted location and will be placed on "No Response" status. The police will no longer respond to a burglary alarm activation at the location until all fees have been paid, the permit is reinstated and the alarm system is operating in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance.
Relaying intermediaries must comply with the following requirements:
Give the correct location of the alarm, including building numbers, suite numbers, or apartment numbers and give the correct business or resident's name at the alarm site.
Advise of any contact person who may be en route to the alarm site and the estimated time for them to arrive at the site.
Advise what type of alarm is being responded to; either burglary or robbery.
Give the alarm site phone number if requested to do so.
Advise of any time delay between alarm activation and notifying the police.
All relaying intermediaries must be licensed by the Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies.
Fees for this chapter shall be as follows: Application Fee $15 Renewal Fee $10 Initial Reinstatement Fee $50 Subsequent Reinstatement Fee $100.
