We can provide you with some basic information about burglar alarm systems and alarm requirements within the City of Pleasanton. We do recommend having a burglar alarm system. Alarms are still one of the best deterrents of burglary and can also be used to call for assistance during emergencies or medical problems.

The Pleasanton Police Department will not provide recommendations of any one type of alarm system or of any company which sells or services alarms systems.

Be aware that the City of Pleasanton has an ordinance against false alarms Pleasanton Municipal Code Section 6.56.010. Any alarm call received from an alarm company where no criminal activity was discovered, will constitute as a false alarm (wrong code entered, no code entered, open doors/windows where the motion detector sets off the alarm, employees, or contractors without the proper code, etc…).

When first deciding if you want an alarm system, have at least three reputable alarm companies come out and provide you with information and estimates on what system will best work for your home/building.

We recommend that all of the exterior doors, windows, and places of possible entry be alarmed with either a sensor pad or glass breakage detector. Once the exterior is secure, you may want to place motion sensors on the inside of your home/building.

We also recommend that when the alarm goes off, inform the alarm company to contact the resident/business owner first before calling the police. This is because 94% of the alarm calls received are due to mistakes or false alarms by owners or building occupants.

Anytime your alarm goes off (even if it only went off for a few seconds) or has an error, you should call the alarm company and provide them with your password. If the company calls the police, we will have to respond ASAP. If you or the system was at fault or you did not realize that the alarm company received a signal, this will be considered a false call. Even if you call the police, you cannot cancel the alarm call - only the alarm company can cancel the call after you provide them with your password.

Your agreement with your alarm company should include a clause for how often and how soon the company will come out and check the system for malfunctions or problems. Bad equipment is the cause for false calls about half of the time. You are responsible for proper working condition of your system not the alarm company.

If you have any other general questions, please contact your alarm company or Crime Prevention at (925) 931-5233 or (925) 931-5240.