County of Brant, in partnership with Brant OPP, and supported by the County of Brant OPP Detachment Board, is launching a new online resource aimed at educating residents on the real impacts of false alarms and how to prevent them.
A false alarm is when an alarm system is triggered accidentally or unnecessarily, causing Brant OPP to respond when there is no actual threat or emergency. False alarms may seem harmless, but they can have serious consequences. Every time police respond to a false alarm, it diverts resources away from real emergencies, where timely response could be lifesaving. In 2024, Brant OPP responded to 223 incidences of false alarms.
“False alarms affect the entire community by tying up emergency services that may be urgently needed elsewhere,” said Cindy Stevenson, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services for the County of Brant. “Through education and awareness, we’re working to reduce preventable false alarms and ensure our police and emergency responders are available for true emergencies.”
The new webpage includes:
- Top Causes of False Alarms including entering the wrong code, unfamiliarity with the system, and ignoring calls from monitoring companies.
- Tips for Alarm System Users and Keyholders, including best practices for training staff, household members, and temporary users.
- Alarm System Maintenance Tips to keep alarm systems functioning reliably.
- Advice for Business Owners on assigning alarm managers and maintaining up-to-date keyholder lists.
“Reducing false alarms isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience—it’s about keeping our communities safe,” said Acting Inspector Jason McTaggart, Detachment Commander for the Brant OPP. “Every false alarm call takes officers away from other important calls for service. By working together with the public, we can make sure resources are available where they’re truly needed.”
The new online resources also include the fees for repeat offences. If police are called to the same property multiple times for false alarms, the property owner may be charged a fee. These fees are outlined in the County’s Fees and Charges By-Law and follow a graduated schedule that increases with repeat offenses.
To help reduce repeat false alarms, avoid fees, and support community safety, residents are encouraged to visit www.brant.ca/falsealarms and share the information with family members, employees, and anyone else who may interact with an alarm system.
