Crime might not pay but folks with one too many false alarms will.

With Thousand Oaks police responding to burglary alarm calls that turn out to be false alarms 99.6 percent of the time, the police department is cracking down, with the City Council’s blessing.

Residents and businesses who have more than two false alarm incidents will face increased fines for each subsequent offense.

As of July 1, the Police Department will respond to two false alarm incidents free of charge. The third and fourth false responses will cost $100 and $200, respectively. Each subsequent false alarm incident will carry a $500 price tag.

Last year police responded to 2,910 false alarm calls. That works out to 954 work-hours for the Police Department.

“Our goal is not to fine people,” Capt. Randy Pentis said. “Our goal is for people to manage their alarm system so we don’t have to respond to these false alarms, which take us away from doing proactive police work” as well as other duties.

Pentis said education is important in cutting down on false alarms. The department’s crime-prevention staff is available to go out to teach people tips on ways to reduce or avoid the problem.

Thousand Oaks isn’t the only city that has looked for ways to cut down on false alarms. Two neighboring cities, however, specifically targeted businesses.

Camarillo cut its false alarms at businesses more than 15 percent in 2004, after implementing a policy that called for a $100 fine for businesses that have more than three false alarms in a year.

In 2004, Camarillo officers responded to 1,735 false alarms at businesses, compared with 2,056 in 2003.

If a burglar alarm sounds at a business that has been identified as having chronic false alarms, Simi Valley police will broadcast it over the radio. If any cars are close, drivers will check it out. If there is verified suspicious behavior, police will respond.

At businesses without chronic problems, two cars are dispatched, if two cars are available, based upon what other calls police are dealing with.

Thousand Oaks police suggest that residents and businesses with alarm systems properly train all people who might use the systems on how they work, particularly how to cancel false alarms. The Police Department also suggests that all doors and windows be secured and locked before arming the systems.

Lastly, the department recommends keeping systems maintained by changing backup batteries and having the alarm companies perform regular preventative maintenance.

For more information, visit the False Alarm Reduction Association’s Web site at http://www.faraonline.org, or the Ventura County Security Association’s Web site at http://www.thevcsa.org or call the Thousand Oaks Police Department Alarm Coordinator at 449-2760.