False Burglar Alarms

As an alarm user, it is your responsibility to maintain a properly functioning burglar alarm system. Under the new False Burglar Alarm (FBA) ordinance, a burglar alarm user accused of a false alarm may raise as an affirmative defense that all reasonable measures were taken to eliminate false alarms. Those reasonable measures must include all of the following:

• Using a burglar alarm system that is installed and maintained by a properly licensed private alarm contractor. 

• Having documentary evidence that the alarm system was installed, inspected or tested by a properly licensed private alarm contractor within the previous 12 months. 

• Making every reasonable effort to have a responsible person arrive at the protected premises within 45 minutes if requested by the Department of Police or the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, in order to:

  • Deactivate the alarm system;

  • Provide access to the alarm location; or

  • Provide alternative security for the alarm location.

According to the City of Chicago, FBA citations will no longer be linked to your business account. Pursuant to section 8-4-056 of the Chicago Municipal Code, alarm users are not required to display or maintain a False Burglar Alarm permit sticker. A hearing date and time will automatically be scheduled when a citation is issued. However, businesses will be allowed 7 days from issuance to pay the fine to avoid the mandatory hearing appearance. The three-free-ticket provision has been eliminated. Each citation will carry a fine of $100. 

If you should have any questions regarding these changes or your FBA account, please contact the False Burglar Alarm Unit at 312 747 4747.