By BECKY CRISSMAN
CORDELE — City commissioners here have voted to adopt a new ordinance that will result in fees for excessive false alarms.
The move comes from concerns that false alarms generated by alarm systems in city residences and businesses often lead to a misallocation of police manpower.
“At one point false alarms accounted for around 20 percent of calls we answered,” said Chief Dwayne Orrick, public safety director for Cordele. “We now have that down to less than 10 percent, but that number is still too high. At least two officers are sent out to each alarm call and depending on where they are sent they can be tied up for a number of hours preventing them from being in other areas where they may be needed more.”
The purpose of the ordinance is to establish reasonable expectations of alarm users and ensure they are properly held responsible for their use of their alarm system, Orrick said.
“The Georgia Police Chiefs Association has been working in conjunction with the Alarm System industry to help curb the false alarms,” said Orrick.
Once the ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2009 alarm users will be allowed five false alarms for the year. Any false alarms past five will result in the user being charged a fine. The sixth and seventh false alarms will carry a $50 fine each. False alarms 8, 9 and 10 will result in a $100 fine for each. Alarm users will be fined $250 each for the 11th and 12th false alarm, and a $500 fine will follow 13 or more false alarms.
Fines will be added to the utility bill of the user. Failure to pay fines will result in loss of utilities.
The ordinance extends to churches and schools as well as residences and businesses. Alarms installed on motor vehicles, fire alarms, domestic violence alarm, or alarms designed to elicit a medical response are not covered by the ordinance
An alarm administrator will be designated to control and review the false alarm reduction efforts. Alarm users will need to obtain a permit, issued by the City of Cordele, allowing the operation of an alarm system within the city. Users will be required to fill out an application and register their alarm systems through the Cordele Police Department and pay a registration fee of $10. Anyone failing to register an alarm system will be fined $100.
“This is not to discourage the public from alarm system use,” said Orrick. “We fully support the use of alarms. A lot of the false alarms result from a lack of routine maintenance. There are guidelines that can be followed to reduce this problem.”
Some ways of avoiding fines are to:
• Make sure all alarm users and key holders are trained to use the system and know all codes.
• Be sure doors and windows are secured before arming alarm. These can be easily jarred, causing false alarms.
• Be sure motion sensors are adjusted correctly, especially if you have pets.
• Have an arming delay of about 60 seconds, taking too long to leave or re-entering a building often sets off alarm.
• If your system is easily set off by thunderstorms or power outages have it repaired or adjusted.
• Periodically check the batteries and test your alarm system.
• Read and follow all instructions in your operation manual.
Questions about the ordinance or registering an alarm system should be directed to the Cordele Police Department at 229-276-2921 or via e-mail to cordelepd@cityofcordele.com.
