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ECONOMICS 1 Overall crime rate has been dropping Policing budgets have been increasing far beyond cost of living and population growth Those with alarms have ¼ of break-in rate / loss DNV False Alarm rate is half that of Vancouver. Vancouver charges less to register alarms
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ECONOMICS 1 • Overall crime rate has been dropping • Policing budgets have been increasing far beyond cost of living and population growth • Those with alarms have ¼ of break-in rate / loss • DNV False Alarm rate is half that of Vancouver. • Vancouver charges less to register alarms • Home Insurance cost savings for having an alarm would be cut – in my case by ~ 30% • Alarm discount is only applicable to Property Coverages – for my own case – Discount was 15% of $421 which saved me $63. The proposed $20 Registration fee would result in savings reduction of ~ 30% Corrie Kost
MISC • Police do not travel at high rate of speed to attend home alarms unless they are for break-ins “in progress”. If they speed they should do so safely! • There has been very limited public consultation – even my insurance agent was not aware of the proposed alarm permitting program! • As shown in the “Statistics” section – there is no significant risk or service degradation due to current non-billable false alarms. Corrie Kost
STATISTICS Alarms in 2004: 3350 (DNV only) Alarms Attended in 2004: 1929 (DNV only) False (billable) Alarms in 2004: 697 (DNV only) False Alarms not billed in 2004: 1250 (DNV only) Average non-billed false alarms 1 every 6 hours In my opinion this has a negligible impact on public safety and is more than compensated for by reduced crime due to those having home alarms Note: DNV total home alarm rate is 0.23/yr CNV is 25% higher at 0.29/yr Corrie Kost
ECONOMICS 2 Current net cost to DNV: - $87,185 Net Cost with Permits: + $396,191 Conclusion: Program is a TAX GRAB – Violates Local Government Act requiring cost recovery only. Corrie Kost
PRIVACY CONCERNS • Private information would be divulged to District Staff • District staff would likely be required to undergo security checks, including fingerprinting. • Alternative Model • Use the “Prince Albert” business based model: • less overhead / bureaucracy • via usual business model - targets only the people with false alarms Corrie Kost
Conclusions • Current risk and service degradation minimal • Program would be unfair to majority not having false alarms and who contribute to lowering police costs • Programs revenue far exceeds expenses – ILLEGAL TAX GRAB • Alternative fairer, less bureaucratic, models exist to reduce false alarms and fund minor shortfall. • Recommend we maintain current program with enhanced education by DNV and alarm companies and possibly allow only 1 “free” false alarm every 2 years. Corrie Kost