With one councilman citing false alarm fees as impetus for
installers to properly train burglar alarm users, the
Louisville, Ky., City Council adopted a false alarm fine
ordinance, the Courier Journal reports. Under the
ordinance, which takes effect Nov. 1, the user is allowed
two false alarms before a bill is sent. The third through
seventh false alarm yields a $100 fine each; eight through
12, $200 each; and more than 12, $300 each.
False hold-up alarms are also subject to fines. The first
is free, but the rest will cost users: two to four alarms,
$250 each; five to nine, $500 each; and more than 10,
$1,000 each.
According to the Council, which approved the ordinance in a
24-1 vote, Louisville police responded to 40,000 false
alarms in 2002, which they say totals 19,000 work hours and
$500,000 in government fees.
