BALTIMORE—Since enacting a new law fining businesses and residents for recurring false alarms, the false alarm rate has decreased by 12 percent, according to Baltimore County law enforcement. Fines range from $50 to $1,000, depending on the amount of violations during a 365-day period. Revenue generated from the fines goes to the county’s general fund.
According to a recent county alarm reduction report, there were 75,758 false alarms in 1999, down from a total of 86,499 in 1998. Commercial businesses fared better than residences since the law went into effect. During the second half of 1999, there were 28-percent fewer false alarms from businesses compared to 1998. Residential false alarms also decreased by 17 percent this past year.
Baltimore County law enforcement receives 470,000 alarm service calls annually. However, to avoid hefty fines, many businesses and residents are notifying the police to cancel false alarm calls prior to an officer’s visit to the site.
