Alarm Call Response

The South Miami Police Department would like to take a moment to remind residents and merchants of the procedures involved when we respond to an alarm call at your home or business.

The City of South Miami Burglar Alarm Ordinance 02-05-1824, requires an annual registration/permit fee for burglar alarm systems which operate within the City. If a property has more than one alarm system each individual location must register and submit the applicable fees.

Visit us at https://alarms.southmiamifl.gov to register, renew, and pay online.

New Alarm Registration
  • Residential – A one-time fee of $50 is due along with the completed registration form
  • Commercial – Annual fee of $100 is due along with completed registration form
Existing Alarm Registration (All Alarm Registrations expire on September 30th of each year and must be renewed no later than October 1 of the renewal year)
  • Residential – No fee due, but updated registration form must be submitted
  • Commercial – Annual fee of $100 is due along with completed registration form
ALARM CALLS
Although alarm calls are routinely one of the most common types of calls for service we respond to, we still take them seriously and treat each and everyone as a potential burglary in progress until we confirm otherwise. Residents and merchants alike should be aware that even if you know your alarm is accidental, we still may need to confirm that under certain situations.
If you are aware your alarm is accidental or activated by some means other than a crime in progress, please take the time to contact your alarm company and the police department.


FALSE ALARMS
The City of South Miami currently has an ordinance pertaining to false alarms. There is no charge for our first response but fines are assessed as follows for additional responses: $50 for the second, $100 for the third, $150 for the fourth, $200 for the fifth, and subsequent responses in a fiscal year.

The ordinance also carries a provision requiring your alarm system to have a back up power supply and a device which automatically silences that alarm within 30 minutes of activating. Remember, proper maintenance of equipment can help minimize false alarms.