False Alarms

In an effort to reduce the frequency our officers respond to false commercial security alarms, any business that violates City Code (154-20) will be subject to a fine.

We will not consider all false alarms as “billable”.  Evidence that violent weather conditions, electrical power failures, transmission line malfunctions, or other extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the alarm user will not count as a billable event.  

The Police Department will send warning letters to any business after a police officer recorded a second billable false alarm within a calendar year. Any business that accumulates four or more billable false alarm activations within a calendar year will be subject to fines as noted in the right-hand column.

False Alarm Fine Payment

False Alarm tickets may be paid by mail, in person, or through a night deposit box at City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL.

To Pay By Mail: 

• Make check or money order payable to the "City of Crystal Lake". 
• Write the ticket number(s) on the front of your check or money order. 
• Tear off the payment portion of your citation notice and return it with your payment. Mail to: Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, IL  60014- ATTN:  False Alarms.
• Your canceled check is your receipt. Do not mail cash or credit card information as payment. 

To Pay In Person: 

• Bring your violation notice to the Crystal Lake Police Department during regular business hours. 

To Pay at the "Drop Box" Located at City Hall:

• Make check or money order payable to the "City of Crystal Lake". 
• Write the ticket number(s) on the front of your check or money order. 
• Tear off the payment portion of your citation notice and deposit it along with your payment in the drop box. 
• Your canceled check is your receipt. Do not mail cash or credit card information as your payment.