INDIO, Calif. — In an effort to cut down on false alarms, the city council here unanimously approved a new alarm policy that will place more responsibility on businesses and homeowners.
Indio Police Department officials said that out of all the alarm calls the department responds to, 99% are false, reports The Desert Sun.
Under the current policy, alarm users pay $50 after the fourth false alarm. The new policy will charge users a $100 fine for each false alarm in one year after the first false alarm. Additionally, alarm permits will be issued on a one-year basis; however, if owners do not pay fines in a timely manner or have more than four false alarms in one month, the city will revoke the permit.
The policy, which goes into effect March 7, also requires alarm companies to provide written and oral instructions to clients on how to properly use their systems.