False Alarm Reduction Program

St. Cloud, FL - In 2014, the City Council of St. Cloud passed and adopted a False Alarm Ordinance for Police Response, ordinance Number 2014-29, which came into effect in 2015.  As result, the St. Cloud Police Department implemented a program to reduce the number of false alarm activation in the city, and subsequently, cut down on the amount of time officers spend responding to false alarms.

Under the program, City of St. Cloud residents and businesses are required to register their alarm systems. The cost to register an alarm is $10. There is a $100 fine for not registering an alarm. Residents and community members can register online with the St. Cloud Police Department/False Alarm Reduction Unit. A link to the registration website is also available through the city's website under "Police Department." The website will also contain helpful tips to consumers on how to reduce a majority of false alarms that are preventable with proper operation.

SCPD tracks the number of false alarms from any one property within the city's jurisdiction. In cases where police respond to three or more false alarms per year, the registered alarm user will face a series of graduated fines, ranging from $50 to $500 for each violation.

In recent years, false alarms account for approximately 98% of all alarms to which the SCPD has had to respond. These false alarms divert law enforcement resources from crimes in progress, other emergency situations and time spent patrolling their beats.

Other communities have had great success reducing the number of false alarms when they require alarms to be registered and assess cost recovery for false alarms. Cities using this program have reduced the number of false alarms by as much as 70% in one year after implementing an alarm registration system.

Register Your Alarm

• File an Appeal Via Mail (PDF)
• File an Appeal Online (Once on this website, click on the Frequently Asked Questions link)
• Forms to Register Via Mail:
  • Alarm Account Registration Form (PDF)
  • Customer Registration Form (PDF)
  • Informational Brochure (English/Spanish) (PDF)
• Online Registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was a new alarm ordinance adopted?

To prevent unnecessary emergency response to false alarms, the City adopted an alarm ordinance to encourage all alarm users to maintain the mechanical reliability of, and to properly use their alarm equipment. Excessive false alarms cost the City thousands of dollars each year and take police officers away from actual emergencies and problem areas. The City Council finds that excessive false alarms over-burden the St. Cloud Police Department's limited resources. Therefore, this Ordinance has been adopted to establish an Alarm System Code providing for the registration of alarm systems and for penalties for excessive false alarms. Read the full Alarm Ordinance.

What constitutes a false alarm?

The City of St. Cloud alarm ordinance defines a false alarm as: "the activation of an alarm system through mechanical or electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of the alarm user, his/her employees or agents, and which causes law enforcement personnel to respond. An alarm is presumed false within the meaning of this article when, upon inspection by the St. Cloud Police Department, evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a false alarm shall not include an alarm which can reasonably be determined to have been caused or activated by unusually violent conditions of nature nor does it include other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user."

Who is required to register their alarm?

Everyone operating an alarm system inside the city limits is required to register their alarm systems. Car/boat alarms, life alert systems, and fire alarms are not included in the registration requirements.

How do I register my alarm system?

Please complete the online registration form at https://www.crywolfservices.com/stcloudfl or mail in a completed registration form to the City of St. Cloud False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU). You may also register by phone at 877-893-5270 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

What is the cost of an alarm permit registration?

The initial registration cost of an alarm permit is $10. The annual renewal cost of an alarm permit is $10. The renewal fee is waived if the alarm user has had no false alarms within the prior 12 month period. Alarm users will be assessed a $100 civil penalty for having a false alarm while being unregistered with the program. The alarm user will be given 30 days from the invoice date to register until the $100 fine is assessed.

When do I renew my alarm permit?

Alarm permits need to be renewed annually, even if a renewal fee is not being charged. You will receive a notice to renew your permit prior to your annual renewal date. It is also important to update your account if any information regarding your permit has changed. You can do so at any time online at https://www.crywolfservices.com/stcloudfl or by phone at 877-893-5270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

What are the fines associated with false alarms?

Police Alarm Activation:

• First through Second False Alarm: None
• Third through Fifth False Alarm: $50
• Sixth through Seventh False Alarm: $100
• Eight through Ninth False Alarm: $250
• Tenth and Over False Alarm: $500
• Failure to Report Update Information: $25

False Alarm Activation while Suspended:

• Alarm Activation fee in addition to $100 fee per incident

If I am assessed a fine/fee, can I pay online?

Yes, you can pay online at the CryWolf website. You will need to use your account number and password. All payments are processed through a secured online payment system.

If I choose to pay my fine/fee by check, where do I send it?

The mailing address is:

City of St. Cloud False Alarm Reduction Unit
P.O. Box 865224
Orlando, FL 32886-5224

Why is the address to send payment different from the City address?

The City has procured and authorized an outsourced company called Public Safety Corporation/CryWolf to process permit registrations, invoices, and payments. All payments made via mail are transferred to a protected account at the City's financial institution.

If I disagree with an assessed fee, can I appeal?

The Alarm User may appeal the assessment of penalties to the St. Cloud Police Department by setting forth in writing the reasons for the appeal within 10 days after the date of notification of the assessment of the penalty. The Alarm User waives their right to appeal assessments of fees and/or fines if notice of appeal is not submitted within the allotted amount of time. Appeals may be submitted on the CryWolf website, emailed to CryWolf services or mailed to:

City of St. Cloud False Alarm Reduction Unit
P.O. Box 865224
Orlando, FL 32886-5224

Faxed appeals will not be accepted. The Alarm User will be notified in writing of the appeal decision. If the request is denied, payment shall be due 15 days after the date of mailing of the decision, unless otherwise determined by the code enforcement board or its successor entity. The decision of the code enforcement board or its successor entity shall be final.

Be sure to include the following in your appeal:

• Your name
• Your email address (if applicable)
• The alarm location
• Date of the false alarm
• Your permit number
• Reasons for the appeal
• Any supporting evidence

If I disagree with the Alarm Administrator's or his/her designee's review finding, can I appeal that decision?

Yes, the review findings can be appealed to the code enforcement board or its successor entity and their decision is final.

Can the Police Department suspend alarm response to my location?

Police response to your location will never be suspended, but your alarm permit can be suspended due to non-payment. This would lead to additional fees being added to your account.

Is there a returned check fee?

Yes, there is a returned check fee schedule based on the amount of the payment returned:

• Under $50 $25 fee
• $50-$299.99 $30 fee
• $300 and Up $40 fee or 5% (whichever is greater)

I received duplicate alarm invoices at my address; what can I do?

If you received a duplicate alarm invoice, please contact us at 877-893-5270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, so we can delete the incorrect invoice(s). If you are directed to a voicemail box, please leave a message with your name, address, phone number, and the account/permit numbers that need to be combined or deleted. You may also contact us by email.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions or comments?

Call us at 877-893-5270, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST or email us. For any customer whose primary language is not English, we offer a translator service for your convenience.

For more information about the False Alarm Reduction Program or to register your alarm, please visit the CryWolf website or St. Cloud Police webpage, call toll free 877-893-5270, email CryWolf services, or mail:

City of St. Cloud False Alarm Reduction Unit
P.O. Box 865224
Orlando, FL 32886-5224