COUNCIL DROPS LAPD ALARM NONRESPONSE FIGHT.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

Despite pleas from hundreds of frightened residents, the City Council failed Tuesday to overturn a controversial Police Commission policy that stops the LAPD from responding to unverified burglar alarms at most Los Angeles homes and businesses.

By an 8-4 vote, council members tabled the veto attempt and put their faith in a new task force that will recommend ways to improve the hotly debated policy before it takes effect in mid-April.

The action ended a monthlong struggle involving the commission, the council, the burglar alarm industry and residents. But the council's decision dismayed many of those who crowded each meeting on the issue to criticize the new policy, which was prompted by concerns that officers were spending too much time on false alarms.

``It's a slap in the face for people who really need that kind of protection, leaving them vulnerable,'' Watts resident Jacquie Simms said after the final vote. ``They're going to get guns. What else do they have?''

Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who led the effort to overturn the policy and was one of the four who voted against a compromise motion, said she would hold the Police Commission and Police Chief William Bratton accountable for seriously considering the task force's suggestions.

``If the recommendations are not seriously considered, we'll make a very public stink about this,'' said Hahn, the sister of Mayor James Hahn. ``I'm not going to let this drop.''

Councilman Hal Bernson admonished the council for ignoring the pleas of the residents, hundreds of whom have e-mailed, called and sent letters to their council representatives. He said it isn't enough to hold the Police Commission and Bratton accountable for listening to the task force.

``Our constituents out there hold us accountable,'' Bernson said. ``They're not looking at the chief or the commission. They look at the people they elected.''

Councilman Jack Weiss, who came up with the compromise motion, said he has been inundated by hundreds of calls from his constituents who, he said, mistakenly fear that the new policy will make them more vulnerable to crime.

``On average, 45 minutes to one hour will elapse before police will respond to an unverified alarm. That's not a policy that makes anyone safe in their homes,'' Weiss said.

In December, the commission voted unanimously to adopt the new policy as a way to free up more patrol time. Police officials say more than 90 percent of the thousands of burglar alarm calls each year are false, and that responding to them wastes the time of a force that is 1,000 officers short of its authorized strength.

Police officials argue that if they don't spend time responding to false alarms - there were about 123,000 last year - they could more quickly respond to verified burglar alarms.

But companies that provide burglar alarm services predict dire results if the policy goes into place without alteration, which they say is like an invitation to burglars.

``Higher prices for consumers. Higher burglary rates,'' predicted Arnie Bell, president of the Southern California Security Association. He and other industry representatives said they will participate in the task force and hope the commission gives their recommendations serious consideration.

Police will stop responding to burglar alarms at most homes and business - except gun shops, banks and government buildings - unless there is verification of an emergency.

And even though they will not be responding to all calls, the Los Angeles Police Department will still require alarm owners to pay $31 a year for an annual permit fee.

Also, police will still respond - with high priority - to city-installed alarms at the homes of elected officials. All 18 elected officials and the police chief are eligible to receive free home burglar alarms.

According to the city's Information Technology Department, 12 of the officials have taken advantage of it - but the department refused to say which ones.

The council's action included a suggestion that the commission apply the same nonresponse policy to council district offices and city buildings.

The task force has not been picked yet. It will be chaired by city Chief Legislative Analyst Ron Deaton and will be made up of representatives from neighborhood councils and the community policing advisory board.