# Regulation .07 Procedures to Request Police Response.

Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Regulation .07 Procedures to Request Police Response.

Balt., Md., COBRA § 07.01.04.07 (2026)

A. Required alarm monitor response.

  (1) Before requesting a police response to an alarm signal, an alarm monitor must attempt to verify the need for a police response for every alarm signal, except a hold-up or panic alarm activation, by contacting the alarm system site.

  (2) In the case of a hold-up or panic alarm activation, the alarm monitor must attempt to verify the alarm signal only after requesting police dispatch.

B. Telephone verification.
During telephone verification, if the first call fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify themselves, then the alarm monitor must at least make a second call to a different number to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch.

C. Required information to provide to police.
An alarm monitor must provide the following information when reporting an activated alarm signal to the Baltimore City Police Department and requesting a police response:

  (1) the registration number issued to alarm user;

  (2) the name and registration number of the alarm monitor reporting on the activated alarm;

  (3) the name or employee number of the alarm monitor employee making the report;

  (4) a callback telephone number;

  (5) the location of the activated alarm, including the complete business or homeowner’s:

    (a) name;

    (b) street address;

    (c) apartment or suite number; and

    (d) telephone number;

  (6) the type of alarm, such as:

    (a) an audible alarm;

    (b) a silent alarm;

    (c) a robbery alarm;

    (d) a hold-up alarm;

    (e) a duress alarm;

    (f) a panic alarm; or

    (g) a burglary alarm;

  (7) if the alarm system is zoned, the specific location of the alarm activation, such as:

    (a) the interior;

    (b) the perimeter;

    (c) a vault; or

    (d) motion detection;

  (8) if it is a non-residential site, any available information about the non-residential site, such as:

    (a) whether the business is open or closed;

    (b) whether guards or guard dogs are on site, and

    (c) what, if any, dangerous or special conditions are present at the site;

  (9) if it is a residential site, any available information about the residential site, such as:

    (a) the whereabouts of the homeowner;

    (b) whether any pets are presence, and if so, what types of pets; and

    (c) whether handicapped individuals are at the residence; and

  (10) whether a representative of the alarm user or alarm company is responding and, if so, the representative’s estimated time of arrival.

D. An alarm monitor detecting an alarm system activation from an unregistered user must report the activation of the alarm to the Baltimore City Police Department in the normal manner.

E. Written notification of request for police response.

  (1) An alarm monitor must provide written notification to the alarm user or designee within 72 hours after the alarm monitor’s request for police response.

  (2) The monitor must maintain a record of these written notifications regarding requests for police responses.

  (3) The record of written notifications regarding requests for police responses must be made available for inspection upon request by any Baltimore City Police Officers, Special Enforcement Officers, or designees.

F. If an alarm monitor determines that an alarm signal is a false alarm, the alarm monitor must immediately cancel any request for police response.