JACKSON, Tenn. — In an 8-1 vote, the city council here approved the first reading for a false alarm ordinance, reports the Jackson Sun.
The proposal must go through a second reading at the next city council meeting. If approved, the ordinance would require fire and security alarm users to register for a permit within six months. Failure to sign up will result in a $25 fine.
Under the proposed ordinance, the first two false alarms would be free. Offenders would then have to pay a $25 fine for each subsequent false alarm. In lieu of paying a fine for a third false alarm, users can opt to attend an Alarm User Awareness class.
The lone challenger of the ordinance, Councilman Ernest Brooks II, stated that the $25 fee will not change the people’s behavior on the issue, and that one notice will be enough for citizens to correct their actions. Prior to the vote, he proposed an amendment that would have removed civil penalties from the ordinance. However, the amendment failed.
