FAQs • Deerfield, IL • CivicEngage

Can my false alarm fee be waived?: By ordinance, only false alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, are subject to appeal. Alarms activated by electrical storms, thunder, hail, or sudden changes in temperature do not meet the standards for waiver of false alarm fees. Alarms activated by accidental but legal entry to the property (children returning home, guests, neighbors looking after your home while you are on vacation) do not meet the standard for waiver.
Loss of electrical power supplied by the utility company is also not a viable reason for waiver. You must provide an alternate source of power in order to prevent false alarm due to loss of electrical power, we suggest battery power as an alternate.

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Police – Personal Alarm Systems

1. How can I pay my false alarm invoice?: Payments for false alarm invoices are accepted online by MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and eCheck. Payments are also accepted at 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois 60015 by mail or in person 24 hours a day. Please note that if paying by mail or in person we accept cash or check only. If paying by cash, we will not always be able to make change so be prepared to pay in exact dollars.
Please visit E-Pay Illinois.

2. What should I do if I want to install an alarm in my home?: Per Village ordinance every alarm in Deerfield must have a permit. If you have just moved to Deerfield, or are putting in a home alarm system please stop by the Police Department and fill out an Alarm Permit Application. Alarm Permit Applications cannot be submitted by fax or over the internet. There is a one time $25 fee to register your alarm which is due at the same time as your Alarm Permit Application. Failure to obtain an Alarm Permit can result in a fine up to $500 (each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense).

3. Can my false alarm fee be waived?: By ordinance, only false alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, are subject to appeal. Alarms activated by electrical storms, thunder, hail, or sudden changes in temperature do not meet the standards for waiver of false alarm fees. Alarms activated by accidental but legal entry to the property (children returning home, guests, neighbors looking after your home while you are on vacation) do not meet the standard for waiver.
Loss of electrical power supplied by the utility company is also not a viable reason for waiver. You must provide an alternate source of power in order to prevent false alarm due to loss of electrical power, we suggest battery power as an alternate.

4. Can I test my alarm without receiving a false alarm fee?: Yes, you can test your alarm. If you would like to do so please call our non-emergency number at 847-945-8636 and let us know that you will be testing your alarm. An officer will still respond to your home to verify that it is in fact a test, and there will be no fine for this type of police response.

5. What happens if I forget to pay my false alarm fee?: The first month that there is a false alarm you will receive an invoice from the Deerfield Police Department informing you of the fee. This fee is to be paid immediately. Per Village ordinance, if the invoice is unpaid more than 2 months later, you will receive a reminder invoice. If the invoice remains unpaid for 3 months then a warning will be sent. After 4 months of unpaid status, the alarm is revoked and the invoice is turned over to our collections agency.
Revoked alarms are subject to being fined up to $500 (each day in revoked status counting as a separate offense). Avoid trouble by paying invoices upon receiving them.

6. What do I do if my alarm is revoked?: If you receive a letter from the Deerfield Police Department stating that your alarm has been revoked then payment needs to be made to our collections agency for your false alarm fee. You must then re-apply for your alarm permit with the Deerfield Police Department and pay a $25 alarm permit fee to be reinstated.