"The Atherton Police Department offers free alarm monitoring, which includes dispatch of officers upon activation." This is in the article, as well as the linked press release from the Atherton police department.

Can the Almanac comment on the accuracy of this statement?

The monitoring used to be free. In 2019 I received a letter which stated:

"In an effort to reduce the number of false alarms within the Town of Atherton revisions to Chapter 8.04 of the Municipal Code, Alarm Systems, Section 8.04.050 were revised through the adoption of Ordinance No. 635, to include a required installation permit and fee. Each person installing an alarm system in any premises or building in the Town shall obtain an appropriate permit from the Building Department and pay a one-time installation fee of $100.00 (Initial Alarm Set Up fee). Therefore, each alarm permit shall be renewed annually on its anniversary of installation and a renewal fee paid to the Police Department. THE ANNUAL ALARM PERMIT RENEWAL FEE IS $50.00 [emphasis added]."

I payed the $50 in 2019. I did not receive invoices in 2020 or 2021.

Was Ordinance No. 635 rescinded? If not, it's inaccurate to state the monitoring is free. It costs $50 per year.

Hi @Thoughtful, this is what the police chief reported to me!:

"Ordinance No. 635 was not rescinded and is still in force.

The initial residential alarm system installation permit fee is $100 with a $50 annual permit renewal fee.

The daily 24-hour monitoring of the residential alarm systems, by our Dispatch Center, is free.

Unfortunately, there were annual renewal permit fee billing issues in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in some residents not being billed for the $50 annual renewal fee. This has been corrected.

We do strongly encourage our residents to have their alarm system monitored by the PD for free, as it eliminates delays from an alarm monitoring company to notify the PD of the alarm. This direct notification to the PD allows us to respond to the alarm immediately."

OK. They can use creative labeling. Truthfully, it's no longer "free". It's $50/year.

This burglary occurred at roughly 497 Walsh. I live at 400 Walsh which was not burgled. When walking our dog on the afternoon after the burglary, my wife and I saw watch gushing between two properties on the opposite side of where we live. I think the confusion could stem from the way the police announced the burglary to the community as "400 block Walsh Rd"