Newnan, Ga. ready to pass false alarm ordinance
By SSN Staff
Updated Wed February 17, 2010
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NEWNAN, Ga.—A Feb. 12 report from the Newnan Times-Herald reported the Newnan City Council was considering a new ordinance that would allow the Police to charge businesses or individuals that repeatedly experience false alarm calls.
The new ordinance defines an alarm as false when, upon inspection by police, “evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system.”
The definition of a false alarm will not include one activated by bad weather or “other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user.”
Legitimate alarm calls won't count against a business or individual, and medical calls will always be responded to, no matter how many emanate from a single source.
Under this proposed ordinance, five or more false alarms within a year will be deemed excessive and therefore constitute a public nuisance. Meadows said they were being generous with their allowance because the alarm industry recommended anything more than three be considered excessive.
The fifth, sixth and seventh violations will result in a $50 fine. The eighth and ninth will result in a $100. Billing would be handled through city hall.
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