False alarm ordinance watch

Killington, Vt. Killington's selectman reviewed a proposed ordinance in September that would require fire or burglar alarm owners to register with the town. Under the proposed ordinance, the first false alarm would be free, the second incurs a $200 fine and third will cost $300. Unregistered alarms that are not directly wired to emergency services would receive a $200 fine. Also, if an alarm sounds for more than 15 minutes consecutively owners will also be fined under the proposal, reported the Rutland Herald. *** Tacoma, Wash. In September the city council discussed a verified response ordinance that enables sheriff's deputies to respond to alarms only if the alarm has been verified. If the ordinance passes it would go into effect April 1, 2006. The city council's subcommittee on public safety recommend the adoption of the ordinance and suggested that homeowners, neighbors, and private security companies should check buildings before the sheriff deputies arrive. After one free false alarm, charges would be made to the alarm companies responsible or the resident, reported The Dispatch. *** Bozeman, Mont. Bozeman police announced an updated false alarm program in September. Police will reply to the first four false alarms at businesses and after the fourth alarm police will stop responding, reported the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. The program was developed after an influx of false alarms was documented coming from the same location. Following the first false alarm, the alarm companies and police will mail letters to businesses to educate alarm users about the new program as well as offer training to help reduce false alarms. After the second false alarm, police will call the business owner to determine if the problem is actively being fixed. The same steps will follow for a third false alarm. Police will continue to respond to panic alarms for robberies and assaults. A clause in the city law enabling police to fine businesses $50 for each false alarm was deleted when a new ordinance was adopted here in May. *** Somerville, Tenn. The Public Safety Committee of the Somerville board asked the fire chief to prepare a policy regarding false alarms at a September meeting, reported the Fayette County Review. The fire chief to have the policy ready for the committees October meeting.