According to a COPS report, approximately how many million false alarms did police respond to in a single year?

The figure of approximately 36 million false alarms that police respond to in a single year, as stated in the COPS report, underscores the significant impact of false alarms on law enforcement resources. This number highlights the frequency with which security systems, particularly alarm systems, are triggered without an actual emergency, leading to unnecessary dispatch and utilization of police services.

False alarms can stem from numerous causes, including user error, malfunctioning equipment, or lack of proper maintenance. This not only diverts law enforcement attention from real emergencies but can also lead to fines or penalties for the establishments that repeatedly generate false alarms. Understanding this statistic emphasizes the importance of proper installation, ongoing maintenance of security systems, and user education to minimize false alarms and ensure that law enforcement can effectively allocate their resources to genuine incidents.