CAMARILLO, Calif.—The Camarillo City Council is considering enacting an ordinance that would fine residential and commercial alarm customers on the third false alarm within a 12-month period. Camarillo law enforcement contends the new policy, if approved, will reduce the number of false alarm calls by 50 percent. Police reported more than 4,000 false alarms in 1999. Most of the calls came from commercial clients.
The proposed ordinance would require businesses to pay a $25 registration fee for the alarm system, along with a $5 annual renewal fee. The $25 fee would be waived if the commercial customer signs up within four months after the ordinance is passed.
In addition, residential customers would not be required to register their alarm systems; however, the city would track any false alarms. A third false alarm during a 12-month period would render a $75 fine, a fourth would be a $100 fine and a fifth would cost $150. A residential customer committing four or more false alarms within one year would be forced to remove the system from the premises.
Source: The Ventura County Star
