Bakersfield (Calif.) Considers New Law to Combat False Alarms
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — As this city’s police department continues to respond to a large number of false alarms, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved the first reading for a false alarm ordinance.
The Bakersfield Police Department received 17,725 alarm calls in 2010, with 97 percent being false, reports the Bakersfield Californian. Police responded on site to 10,115 calls, which cost the department more than $1 million.
The council will vote on the ordinance at its next meeting in August. If approved, alarm owners would pay the cost for police response and a penalty for having multiple false alarms.
Users would receive a written warning for the first false alarm and the fee for police response will be waived. For the second false alarm, users will pay $105; however, the fee would be waived if users attend “alarm school.” On the third false alarm, a $105 police response fee would be imposed, along with a $105 penalty. By the fifth false alarm, users can face a total charge of $420. It’s also a possibility that police will not respond to the alarm.
Source: Bakersfield Californian
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