Future Residents of Alpharetta

By Rokovitz, Robbie
Posted Sunday, April 30, 2006

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With every new annexation, I learn something. This time, I have learned that residents, as well as businesses, need to be accountable for notifying their alarm companies that they will now be served by the Alpharetta 911 Center as opposed to the Fulton County 911 Center.

Even with my background in law enforcement and a resident of a neighboring City with a monitored alarm system at my house, this issue did not cross my mind.

When a resident purchases an alarm system that is monitored (by ADT, Brinks, CSI, etc.), that monitoring company is rarely located in the City limits. That company’s monitoring station may be located out of state. Consequently, to my knowledge, they cannot dial 911 and get the local police department that services their client. They have to dial the entire 10 digit number. Right now, the company has the ten digit number that you provided at the time your alarm system was installed and activated which is likely the Fulton County 911 Center.

Many alarm systems have the ability for the resident to activate a silent alarm during a home invasion or under some other circumstance that would require the police to respond in emergency mode without the intruder knowing. This type of service is handy when an assailant is predisposed to violence as opposed to theft or damage to your property. Alarm systems also typically have perimeter and glass breakage alarms. When these are triggered, the alarm company will likely contact you first to ensure it is not a false alarm. If they cannot make contact with you, they will dispatch the local police. Regardless of the system, the company MUST have the 10 digit number to the local police department.

Here is what new residents need to do:

Contact your alarm monitoring company immediately and let them know that you will be served by the Alpharetta Police on May 1st (or the applicable date of annexation). The direct number to the 911 center for emergency calls is 770.475.5900. Give this number to your alarm company monitoring service. Otherwise, they will call the Fulton County Police 911 center. This may create confusion at the Fulton County 911 center when they learn you are no longer served by the County. Any confusion whatsoever may cause delays. Every second counts during an emergency.

Thanks to the residents who raised this question. Please communicate this to your neighborhoods and do not hesitate to contact me should you have additional questions.

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