Los Gatos homeowners will need alarm permits next year — or face fines for false triggers

LOS GATOS WILL START charging residents for their home alarm systems next year — and could even issue fines for too many false alarms.

The town will require homeowners with security alarms to pay for $95 annual permits, in an effort to crack down on false alarms and conserve Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department resources. Police data shows officers responded to more than 910 false alarms last fiscal year out of 1,375 alarm activations, about 40% of which came from homes. The Town Council unanimously approved the decision earlier this month, with the policy taking effect in January.