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East Brunswick, NJ Considers Higher False Alarm Fees

Officials in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, are considering an increase in fees for people whose burglary alarms repeatedly go off without justification. 

The fees would only be charged to those whose alarms go off more than four times in the course of a calendar year, Business Administrator James White said, though Councilman Donald Klemp later suggested a longer period of time. 

Although the township does collect money on fees meted out to chronic false alarms, the fees have not been raised since the 1980s. 

The item was up for discussion at the Dec. 10 council meeting, when White proposed the increased fees. While the township would forgive the first three false alarms, there would be a charge of $25 for each subsequent false alarm during that calendar year. 

Council President Nancy Pinkin said she does not think the fees go high enough. She wants residents and business owners to either turn their alarms off or face paying a higher fee. 

But White said he did not want the fees to go as high as those in nearby towns such as South Brunswick and Sayreville. 

Councilman David Stahl asked if businesses generate more false alarms than residences, adding that he would support having a higher fee imposed on businesses. White said it does take police longer to look make sure a business is safe. 

Township Attorney Michael Baker said that, if it were more costly to respond to false alarms from businesses, the township would have a rational basis, and thus be free from discrimination claims, for charging more in fees.