posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 11:53 AM
by
klehan
Killeen, TX, May Issue Fines for False Alarms
The Killeen City (TX) Council is considering an amendment to its fire response ordinance that would allow the city to reimburse itself for false-alarm calls.
Killeen Fire Chief Jerry Gardner said he recommended that fines be issued to building owners whose alarms are repeated violators of calling out the city resources without need.
Gardner said the proposal would include a grace period for the first two fire alarms, but a third false alarm would incur a $100 fine. After five alarms, the penalty would be $200; after 10 false alarms, fines reach $500 each.
Councilman Scott Cosper said most fire alarms in homes are monitored by an outside agency that calls emergency organizations.
Gardner said this ordinance does establish a difference between burglar alarms and fire alarms.
Gardner also said that this clause would not grandfather in current alarm owners, but would be applicable to all alarms active within the city.
He added that this is a common practice with many communities throughout the state.
"We go out to different places constantly," Gardner said. "There is no incentive to get those people to fix it. We're going to get in line with a lot of communities throughout the state. On the first and second false alarm, it will be free. After that, it will be a fine of $100. The fifth through the 10th are $200; more than that is $500 each."