False alarms in Phoenix come at a hefty price for city officials, business owners and residents alike.
False alarms from businesses and residential areas cost fire and police officials millions of dollars and many hours each year, according to the City of Phoenix website.
An article by local radio station KJZZ claims 986 of the 48,256 alarms Phoenix police responded to last year involved crimes.
The Phoenix website states common human errors that lead to false alarms are entering incorrect keypad codes; not locking doors and windows; and not educating those in the building about the alarm system. Equipment malfunctions can often be attributed to improper installation, not checking alarm batteries and failure to test smoke detectors.