posted on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:06 PM
by
administrator
Shelby County, TN, Stiffens False Alarm Fines
Shelby County, TN, Commissioners passed unanimously passed an ordinance imposing stiffer penalties for false home alarms.
"It's been costing the city - also the county, but mostly the city - a lot of money responding to false alarms," Commissioner Steve Mulroy said.
Before Tuesday's vote, people were fined just $25 starting their seventh false home alarm.
"This steps up the schedule of penalties people have to pay if they have multiple instances of false alarms," Mulroy said.
Now, the $25 fine begins at the fifth false alarm. For the sixth false alarm, you pay the $25 fine, plus $90 in civil damages. For the seventh false alarm, you pay the fine and civil damages, and your alarm license is revoked. Responders then have the right to use their own discretion about responding, though they will usually act on the side of caution.
Both of the ordinances go into effect immediately.
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