Alarm Management

Alarm management in Owen Sound is governed by the Owen Sound Police Service Board By-Law #2005-01 A By-Law to Control the Incidence of False Alarms within the City of Owen Sound. OSPS does not register alarms. [Input link to Board bylaw if available.]

A false alarm impedes the effective protection of the community by occupying police resources which are thereby delayed in their response to real needs. A false alarm includes, but is not limited to, an alarm activated unnecessarily, or improperly, resulting in a police response such as:

• the testing of an alarm without notifying the Chief of Police or designate;
• an alarm actually or apparently activated by mechanical failure, malfunction or faulty equipment; and
• an alarm activated accidentally by the owner of the premises and agent or employee.

A false alarm does not include:

• any alarm which the owner can demonstrate was caused by a storm, lightening, earthquake, or any other act of God or by a telephone system failure or power failure; and
• any alarm which the owner can demonstrate was actually caused by the act of some other person other than: the owner, agents, employees, independent contractors or any other person subject to the direct or indirect control of the owner; the person who installed, connected, operated, maintained or serviced the alarm system; or a device that is installed in a vehicle.

No owner shall cause or permit nuisance by causing or permitting a false alarm on more than one (1) occasion in any calendar month, and may be subject to a fine:

• Any owner contravening the False Alarm by-law is liable to a fine of $25.00.
• Any owner who commits a third offense within any calendar month commits a subsequent offense and is liable to an increased penalty of $100.00.

It is an owner’s responsibility to provide the Owen Sound Police Service with a Business After Hours Contact(s) (keyholder) information.  

Business After Hours Contact(s) 

If case of emergency after business hours, OSECC maintains a voluntary contact (keyholder) list.

If your business would like OSPS to have emergency contact information, complete and submit the Keyholder Form. The information is strictly confidential and only for use by OSPS members in the event of an emergency.  Please email the Keyholder Form to info@owensoundpolice.com 

It is your responsibility to update names and phone numbers with any changes, by submitting a new form.