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Phoenix Considers Alarm Fee Increase

Property owners would pay more for generating false alarms from malfunctioning security systems and face penalties for faulty smoke detectors under a plan designed to reduce the strain on Phoenix first responders. 

For the first time in city history, firefighters will levy a $105 fine for false smoke alarms. Beginning Sunday, offenders get a warning at first and a fine the second time, though first-time offenders can erase their first citation by attending a smoke-alarm education class. 

Phoenix Fire Deputy Chief David Carter said firefighters are often left waiting at the property until someone arrives to shut off the alarm, making for thousands of "needless calls" that take crews temporarily out of service. 

Within a 12-hour period earlier this week, Valley fire officials noted 170 false-alarm calls - many from heaters being turned on and kicking up dust.

"We're left sort of holding the bag, babysitting the property until someone comes out there," said Carter, adding the fine will mostly impact homeowners or business owners whose smoke-alarm activations are automatically reported. 

Fire officials rolled out the $105 smoke-alarm fine as officials considered a separate city-code revision to address similar problems with security-alarm systems. 

A Phoenix City Auditor's report reviewed earlier this month by the city's Public Safety and Veterans Subcommittee estimated the city would recover $537,000 through the fee increases, including a false-alarm inspection fee that would jump from $60 to $200.

The changes were recommended by the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and the Arizona Alarm Association. The City Council will consider the additional fine in the next couple months.