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Fayetteville, AR, to Fine For False Alarms

Businesses and residences who are customers of alarm monitoring companies must register with Fayetteville, AR, police and could mean fees for false alarms, according to a city ordinance that takes effect March 1.

"If we can just cut that number in half, it would free up a ton of time and manpower," Cpl. Craig Stout said.

A more disciplined use of alarm systems under the ordinance will hopefully reduce errors and encourage users to maintain their systems better.

Fines will be issued for every false alarm after the first offense and for unregistered alarm calls. Discretion and common sense will be used, however, in determining offenses, Stout said. Multiple false alarms could be logged as one offense, and a false alarm response can be canceled by calling police before they arrive on scene, he said.

Anyone with alarm systems that Fayetteville police could respond to falls under the ordinance, including hospitals, nonprofits and campus buildings at the University of Arkansas, said Fayetteville city attorney Kit Williams.

A grace period will allow users to register after March 1 for a short time without a penalty, Stout said.

After six offenses, Fayetteville police can stop responses to that alarm system until the problem is solved.

"It's mainly for the worst of offenders until their equipment is updated," Stout said.

A private company, Public Safety Corp of Waldorf, Md., will handle enforcement and collection of fees. Fayetteville police will send the company information on the number of false alarms, and penalties will be disbursed based on that number.

Two-thirds of the money will go to Fayetteville police with the remaining going to the private company. The Fayetteville City Council approved the alarm ordinance in November 2007.

Registering Alarm Monitoring Systems In Fayetteville
    • False Alarm Reduction Program (877)575-0933
    • Online at www.crywolf.us/fayettevillecrywolf/default.asp