Questions about door-to-door sales of alarm systems in Lynchburg have prompted police to caution residents and remind them to check out sales deals before committing.
Over the past few weeks, the Lynchburg Police Department has received many calls about door-to-door sales of home security alarm systems in the city, according to a police department news release.
Officers ask that residents keep a few things in mind if a salesperson comes to the door.
w Anyone who sells alarm systems in the city must have a local business license and a Department of Criminal Justice Services license before they can sell the systems, the release said. Ask to see the Department of Criminal Justice Services license before conducting business.
w Residents are not obligated to provide any personal information and have the right to ask a salesperson to leave the property.
w Take time to make a decision about home security. Consider getting several estimates and comparison shopping.
w Read all information carefully and make sure to know the terms of the contract before signing. Sales personnel should also tell residents about the local alarm ordinances.
w Remember that state code gives residents the right to cancel the alarm system order within three days of the sale.
The city’s alarm system ordinance is designed to encourage the proper installation, maintenance and use of alarm systems without diverting emergency personnel for false alarms.
If dispatchers receive more than two false alarms within a permit year for any system, the user has to pay a service assessment fee. The ordinance also requires that anyone who purchases a monitored alarm systems must buy an annual alarm permit for $30 before the system is activated.
For more information, visit www.lynchburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=4024 or contact Amy Lowe, alarm systems coordinator, at (434) 455-4286 or e-mail amy.lowe@lynchburgva.gov or Melissa Foster, deputy director of Lynchburg’s Emergency Communications Center, at (434) 455-4149 or e-mail melissa.foster@lynchburgva.gov.
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