Simsbury Alarm Systems: Did You Know?

Did you know? Having a contractor install a residential alarm system is just step one of several steps required to possess an active alarm system in the town of Simsbury. My wife and I moved into our home in 2011 and had an elaborate alarm system installed in the house by ADT shortly thereafter. It wasn’t until this past weekend that we had a false alarm causing the Simsbury Police Department to respond. The neighbor’s children were watching our pets and didn’t correctly deactivate the system. Since we were away, and out of cell coverage, we never got the call from the ADT Monitoring Center. When we arrived home we had a notice on our door from the Simsbury Police Department telling us that we didn’t have a permit to own an alarm system in Simsbury. Huh?! If we did not file for a permit in 15 days we would incur a $25 per-day penalty until the permit was filed. Did you know? We didn’t, either. The permit requires a one-time $10 fee to the town and is obtainable from the Town Hall. The permit is then placed on file with the town Police Department so they are aware that our residence has electronic protection. During trips away, the Police Department recommends that anyone with an alarm system notify the police dispatcher of their absence and also to provide an alternate contact number for anyone responsible for the home. Did you know? No, we didn’t either.

But there’s more.

The permit is only a small step in legitimately owning an active alarm system in your home. The Fire Department requires that all residences have an accessible lock box holding a master key attached to the exterior of the home.  Should either the fire department or police department require legitimate access, they will be able to obtain the key using a town provided master key. Did you know? Simsbury is an expensive town for sure; and I’m sure you weren’t expecting your tax dollars to pay for such an item were you? No, we didn’t either. The lock box is a top of the line secure “safe” that costs $153 paid by cash or check to obtain. It is $170 if paid by credit card. Yes, we also were shocked. If you already own a system, and haven’t yet filed the proper paper work with the town then your next false alarm with a response from the Police will trigger that not-so-pleasant yellow paper tacked to your door. If you are thinking of buying a system, that $99 system just got much more expensive.

The lock box is not a simple “screw to the wall” box either. It has to be inserted into a hole cut into the side of your home and secured from the back to lock it into place. Should you not be a DIY’r you will also need to consider the fee to have a contractor secure it for you.

Did you know? No. We didn’t either.