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False alarm ordinance watch

False alarm ordinance watch

Albuquerque, N.M. A study done by one of Albuquerque's police officer's shows the police department spent the equivalent of $3.2 million in 2000 responding to false alarms. The report, done for a college police management course, showed that of the city's 55,247 burglar alarm calls, 99 percent were false, according to a report in the Albuquerque Journal. To combat the problem, the officer is recommending the police department beef up enforcement's of the city's alarm law and fine offenders. Albuquerque currently fines people $50 after five false alarms in a year, but after that there is no further fine. Hanover County, Va. Within the next few months businesses with burglar alarms will be required to get a permit. The new requirement comes after county supervisors passed an ordinance that also includes a $50 fine for the fourth, fifth and sixth false alarm. Additional incidents will cost $100, according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The county may also fine business owners up to $200 for failing to show up at their business within one hour of the alarm sounding. However, alarms set off by unusually severe weather or those canceled by the alarm company or business owner won't be considered false. The new ordinance goes into effect April 1. North Lauderdale, Fla. City commissioners have given tentative approval for a new alarm ordinance that would charge a fine after three false alarms. Under the proposed ordinance, home and business owners would pay $25 to register their security system with the city, according to a report in the Sun-Sentinel. Renewals would cost $10 each year, but if the alarm owner has had some false alarms the annual fee is $25. Fines would cost $25 for the third and fourth false alarm. For the fifth and sixth false alarm the fine increases to $50, with seven or more false alarms costing $75. The city was expected to finalize the ordinance in January.

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