Earlier this year, the City of Tucson Mayor and City Council approved a new alarm ordinance that requires all alarm users within the city limits of Tucson to register their alarms with the Tucson Police Department. The ordinance goes into effect on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The annual registration fee is $20.
Tucson businesses are now forced to pay a premium over and above the taxes they are paying for police protection. According to the Tucson Police Department, those businesses who “opt out” will “forego police response on any burglary alarm and will result in a higher false alarm fee should police officers respond to their false alarm.”
One long time Tucson business owner, said it reminded him of a “shake down. The mob offers protection too if you pay a fee for it. When did we become Chicago?”
Alarm users can register their alarms on-line at www.tucsonaz.gov/police and click on “Alarm Information.” Currently, on-line payment options are not available but payment can be made in person at any of the following locations:
• Westside Police Service Center at 1310 West Miracle Mile (520) 791- 4440; Impound Lobby (for payments) /Primary Alarm Office location
• City Hall at 255 West Alameda Street (520) 791-4583
• County/City Public Works at 201 North Stone (Development Services Center Building) (520) 791-5550
• Eastside City Hall at 7575 East Speedway (520) 791-4652 **Closed Noon to 1 p.m.**
• Patrick K. Hardesty Midtown Multi-Service Center at 1100 South Alvernon (520) 791-5779 **Closed Noon to 1
p.m.**
• General Services Department Price Service Center at 4004 South Park Avenue #1 (520) 791-4226 **Closed Noon
to 1 p.m.**
• Water Department at 310 West Alameda Street (520) 791-2622
Additionally, payment can be made through the mail by sending a check in the amount of $20 made payable to “City of Tucson” in addition to a copy of the registration form completed on-line to:
Westside Police Service Center
Attention: Alarm Unit
1310 West Miracle Mile
Tucson, AZ 85705