posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:53 PM
by
administrator
Franklin Park, IL, Raises Fines and Reduces Allowable False Alarms
In an effort to cut down false alarms and bring in revenue, Franklin Park, IL, trustees voted to raise fines and reduce the number of free false alarms.
The number of false alarms a business or homeowner can have without incurring a fine has been reduced from four to two during a 12-month period.
The cost of fines will increase from $50 to as much as $200 for residences (depending on the number of false alarms) and as much as $250 for businesses.
False alarms caused by bad weather, telephone or electrical interruptions and within 30 days of an alarm system being installed will not be charged.
From May 1 to Oct. 19, Franklin Park police responded to 258 false alarms while the fire department responded to 177.
Police Chief Joe Patti said a false alarm ties up at least two squad cars unnecessarily and could distract police from a real emergency.
Fire Department Captain Mark White said firefighters have occasionally been distracted by false alarms, though he added what should get defined as a false alarm can be unclear.
"If someone pulled a manual alarm because they thought they saw smoke," White said. "The person had good intentions. Or if a business is closed for a weekend and the custodian turns down the heat and a pipe bursts. We find that and shut it down. We save (the business) thousands and thousands and dollars. It really is a gray area."