INC NEWS - City Revised False Alarm Ordinance Takes Effect Jan.1

[RW Pickle]

Registration Permit Required After First False Alarm; $25 Registration Fee
No Longer Necessary
 
Durham, N.C. – The Durham City Council has revised its ordinance
regulating the use of police and fire alarm systems.  The revised
ordinance, which takes effect on January 1, 2006, requires that residents
and businesses acquire a permit to operate an alarm only after the first
false alarm incident.  The revised ordinance also imposes fines when
repeated false alarms occur and mandates that any alarm connected directly
to 911 or any number at the Police or Fire Departments be disconnected by
January 1, 2006.
 
The Council recently decided to change the wording of the ordinance, no
longer requiring every alarm owner to register.  Registration will be
required only after the first false alarm incident.  The Council also
decided not to require a $25 fee to register an alarm and that citizens
that have already paid the $25 fee will receive a refund.
 
A police or fire alarm is deemed false if the responding units find no
evidence of unauthorized intrusion, or attempted unauthorized intrusion,
robbery or attempted robbery, evidence of fire or medical emergency.
 False alarms include accidental, avoidable, and unnecessary alarm
activation due to user error, equipment malfunction, and improper or
unsuited equipment.
 
Alarm users will still be required to obtain an Alarm System Permit to
operate an alarm after the first false alarm incident.  When police or
fire officials respond to a false alarm at a business or residence, the
owner will be sent a written 30-day notice to obtain a permit.  After 30
days, a second false alarm will result in a $100 fine for not having the
permit.  Alarm permits can be obtained online at the City’s website at
http://www.durhamnc.gov/council/false_alarm.cfm or by contacting the
City’s Business License Office at (919) 560-4700.
 
Any company installing alarms must also be registered with the City of
Durham.  Installation companies that fail to register with the City will
receive a $100 fine.  This registration will require that the installation
company hold a state license.  
 
Alarm users will also see an increase in the civil penalties for false
alarms.  The new penalties are applied by the calendar year and are as
follows:
·         1st and 2nd false alarm                             Written notice
·         3rd and 4th false alarm                             $100 each
·         5th and 6th false alarm                             $150 each
·         7th and 8th false alarm                             $200 each
·         9th false alarm                                         $250 each
·         10th and each false alarm thereafter       $300 each
 
As of January 1, 2006, it will also be unlawful for any residence or
business to have an automatic alarm transmitting directly to 911, the
Durham Emergency Communications Center (DECC), or to the Police or Fire
Department.  Any business or residence currently using such an automatic
dialing device will be required to disconnect that system.  After January
1, DECC will not respond to any alarm unless it first goes through a
monitoring service.
 
The City encourages alarm system users to have their systems inspected,
repaired or replaced if necessary.  For more information about this new
ordinance, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200.