City Adopts New Security Alarm Bylaw to Reduce Excessive False Alarms and Improve Public Safety

Release Date

Kamloops City Council has adopted a new Security Alarm System Bylaw aimed at reducing excessive false alarm calls, improving the use of police resources, and ensuring the costs associated with repeated false alarms are borne by those responsible rather than taxpayers.

The new bylaw will come into effect on September 1, 2026.

In 2025, the RCMP responded to 840 alarm-related calls in Kamloops, with approximately 68% determined to be false alarms. These responses accounted for an estimated 590 hours of RCMP time and more than $61,000 in policing costs.

“False alarms place a significant demand on police resources that could otherwise be directed to higher-priority public safety needs,” said Alisha Beday, the City’s Municipal Support Services Manager - RCMP. “These changes are intended to encourage proper alarm system maintenance and operation while helping ensure public resources are used effectively.”

The new bylaw replaces the previous Security Alarm System Bylaw and introduces:

  • increased service fees for excessive false alarms
  • new cost-recovery provisions when RCMP members and equipment are required to remain on site because a responsible contact person is unavailable
  • new fines for alarm owners and monitoring companies that fail to meet bylaw requirements
  • an appeals process for property owners who believe a service fee or charge has been applied incorrectly

Legitimate emergencies and alarm activations resulting from proven criminal activity will not be considered false alarms under the bylaw.

Over the coming months, the City will work with residents, businesses, and alarm monitoring companies to raise awareness about the new Security Alarm System Bylaw and the responsibilities of alarm users, providing information on how to avoid excessive false alarms.

Alarm users can reduce the likelihood of false alarms by ensuring their systems are properly maintained, keeping the contact person(s) information up to date, and providing adequate training for all users of the system.

More information about the new Security Alarm System Bylaw, including service fee schedules, fines, and frequently asked questions, is available at: Kamloops.ca/FalseAlarm.