False alarm rule in Steamboat nets results Officials see drop in erroneous calls
By SSN Staff
Updated Tue July 5, 2011
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.—A July 3 story from SteamBoatToday.com reports that consistent enforcement of the town's year old false alarm ordinance has had positive results. Since the law has come into effect, the city's fire engines have had to make less unnecessary trips through the city's streets.
Letters were sent for first offenses, the second offense carried a $100 fine, and the fine for subsequent offenses increased $100 each time.
The city has collected about $3,500 in fines, but officials say the goal never was to profit from false alarms.
The rate of false alarms has not dropped dramatically since the ordinance was enacted, but officials said it is trending in the right direction and has encouraged discussions with alarm owners.
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