Effective Date:  May 7, 1997 (Revised January 16, 2002)
Provider: Jan Tepper, Police Chief, tepper@cats.ucsc.edu, (831) 459-2231

Installation and Use Of Security Alarms
(Policy SPS0003)

 

I. Purpose/Scope of the Policy

It is the policy of the University to promote the security of University facilities. Certain facilities may require greater security than is afforded by traditional locking mechanisms. This policy describes (A) evaluation of need, (B) a description of alarm systems, (C) purchase, (D) installation and monitoring, and (E) false alarms associated with on-campus security alarm systems.

II. Detailed Policy Statement

A. Evaluation of Need

The UCSC Police Chief has been granted the responsibility and authority to review all requests for new and modifications to existing security alarm systems installations on the Santa Cruz campus, including the Long Marine Lab. Recommendations on the most appropriate type of alarm system will be made by the surveying Police Officer.

B. Description of Systems

Security alarm protection on the Santa Cruz campus is divided into three categories:

Emergency (Panic)

·         Emergency alarms are installed in locations that may have potentially life-threatening situations which require immediate police response.

·         Installation of panic alarms is limited to areas where the use of the alarm is controlled by authorized personnel.

Intrusion

·         Intrusion alarms are used to detect entry into an area during specified hours by unauthorized persons.

·         This protection may be used in conjunction with panic alarms to provide 24 hour coverage of critical areas.

Robbery (Hold Up)

·         These alarms are reserved for use by cashiering points or those areas where money is handled.

·         They are to be activated only when a robbery (or attempted robbery) takes place.

C. Purchase

Upon approval by the UCSC Police Chief, a unit may purchase a security system through Physical Plant.

D. Installation and Monitoring

1. The unit must arrange necessary telephone line wiring with CATS prior to scheduling the alarm system installation.
2. The unit must forward a work order to Physical Plant requesting installation of the security alarm system.
3. All security alarm systems will report to the UCSC Dispatch Center and will be charged a monthly fee for monitoring. The fee will be recharged on an annual basis. (A schedule of fees is included as Attachment I.)
4. In areas where intrusion alarms are installed, signs warning of the alarm must be posted at all entrances to the alarmed areas.
5. Units are responsible for testing and maintaining their alarm systems as required to ensure proper functioning.  Physical Plant will perform maintenance of security alarm systems when requested by users. When maintenance is necessary the requesting unit will issue a work order to Physical Plant, requesting the maintenance be performed.

E. False Alarms

A fee for police response to excessive false alarm activations will be recharged to the unit/department responsible for the alarmed area. False alarms due to verifiable alarm malfunctions are not included, provided the malfunction is corrected immediately.

1. A maximum of three false alarms per alarm point during a 90 day period will be permitted without penalty.
2. A fee for additional false alarms during the same period will be recharged to the unit using a rate which varies according to the number of false alarms, unless it can be determined that the false alarm was triggered by someone not associated with the unit (e.g., a custodian). See Attachment I for most current fee schedule.

III. Definitions

 False Alarm: An alarm which is accidentally activated by an authorized user of an alarmed area.

 

IV. Getting Help

The University Police Department provides training and assistance to campus units (including help with completing forms, carrying out procedures, or interpreting policy).
 

If you need help with ...	Contact ...
...security needs	Campus Police, x9-2231.
...purchasing a new system	Physical Plant, x9-4444.
...alarm recharges	Planning and Budget, x9-2446.

 

V. Applicability and Authority

1. This policy on Installation and Use Of Security Alarms applies to all campus locations and Long Marine Lab. Other off-campus properties are not covered.
2. This policy supersedes any previously developed campus policies.
3. The University Police Department is the campus authority for the policy on Installation and Use Of Security Alarms. The Campus Chief of Police can approve exceptions to this policy.
4. The Associate Chancellor, Planning & Budget approves the rates for monitoring and false alarm penalties.
5. This policy was reviewed and approved by the Chancellor on May 7, 1997 and revised on January 16, 2002.  Next review date is May 7, 2003. The Direct Costing Committee reviewed and endorsed the listed fees at their Fall 1993 meeting.

 

VI. Related Policies/References for More Information

Related Policies and Procedures

UC Business & Finance Bulletin, BUS-43 -- Materiel Management

UC Business & Finance Bulletin, BUS-49 -- Cashiering Responsibilities - Section I - Physical Security Guidelines

UCSC Procedure SPS0004: Requesting New or Modified Security Alarm Service

 

====================================================================================
UC Santa Cruz 
University Police                                                                            tepper@cats.ucsc.edu; (831) 459-2231           

 

 

(ATTACHMENT I)
 
 
 
 

Security Alarms Fee Schedule

 
 

Monitoring:	$15 per month
False Alarms Within A 90 Day Period:
One - Three false alarms:	No Charge
Fourth false alarm:	$25
Fifth false alarm:	$50
Sixth and each subsequent false alarm	$100