This chapter is necessary to further the public health, safety, and welfare by combining with police response tactics, policies, and procedures to reduce the percentage of false alarms. The city of Bellingham has experienced a false alarm rate of over 98 percent over the three years before this chapter was adopted. Each false alarm diverts multiple officers and police resources from genuine law enforcement duties for approximately one hour. This diversion of vital public resources adversely affects the public’s health, safety and welfare. This chapter is intended to help alleviate the false alarm problem. It is not intended to provide any cause of action or create any specific or implied duty for the police department but, rather, is designed to further the police department’s general role in providing public safety. [Ord. 2004-08-059].