Sep. 12--Ignoring Police Chief David Kunkle's recommendations, the Dallas City Council today repealed its "verified response" burglar alarm policy, meaning police officers will again automatically respond to all commercial alarm calls.

The 11-4 vote came as a majority of council members argued that cops -- not business owners or private security guards who must first verify a sounding alarm's validity before police respond -- should answer alarm calls.

"We've got to be concerned about the policy and the wider message it sends," Mr. Leppert said, noting that guaranteed police response to burglar alarms is one component in helping Dallas expand its tax base, thereby increasing funds available to police. "This is not a policy that allows us to continue to build the city of Dallas."

Chief Kunkle has repeatedly testified before the council that verified response allows him to use scant police resources to respond to more pressing emergencies. Last week, the chief told council members that he knows of no increase in crime attributable to verified response and that more than 97 percent of activated burglar alarms are ultimately ruled false.

"I'm worried about the 2.7 percent that's left ... the citizens -- they're the ones we're going to have to look after," Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway said Wednesday.

"We do not need to verify alarms. We as a city need to have the police to do their jobs. They need to protect our property and our safety," District 8 council member Tennell Atkins added.