Government > Takoma Park Police Department > Services & Programs > False Alarm Reduction Section (FARS) Registration

False Alarm Reduction Section (FARS) Registration

This program seeks to eliminate the misuse of police resources. Unfounded alarm calls also reduce the police department’s effectiveness and undermines our ability to respond to more critical calls.

If you would like to find out if your alarm is registered, please contact the following:

Montgomery County Department of PoliceFalse Alarm Reduction Section (240) 773-6300

Alarm User Registration

Every burglar alarm system must be registered with the False Alarm Reduction Section (FARS) before the system is placed into service. Registration does not apply to either fire or car alarm systems.
It is your alarm/monitoring company’s responsibility to provide you with burglar alarm registration information at the time of sale or installation of your alarm system. Every alarm/monitoring company that conducts business within Montgomery County must be licensed by the FARS and must provide their license number and registration number to the Emergency Communications Center operators when requesting dispatch to an alarm activation.
If you do not have an alarm/monitoring company, you may obtain registration information directly from the FARS.
A non-refundable $30 registration fee must be paid with each initial registration. A separate registration must be obtained for each alarm user and/or location. Registrations must be renewed on a biennial (every two years) basis at a cost of $10. Failure to renew when required will result in no “free” false alarms and the imposition of an additional $100 charge for every false alarm.
Alarm registrations are not transferrable from one alarm user to another or from one location to another. However, if you change alarm companies, mailing address, or contact person information, you are not required to re-register your alarm system. You are required, however, to advise the FARS in writing of said change(s).
You and your alarm company must notify the FARS when there is a relocation or change in ownership of a property.