Phoenix property owners to pay more for false security/fire alarms
By SSN Staff
Updated Tue November 3, 2009
PHOENIX--An Oct. 31 story from the Arizona Republic reported property owners would pay more for generating false alarms from malfunctioning security systems and face penalties for faulty smoke detectors under a plan designed to reduce the strain on Phoenix first responders.
For the first time in city history, firefighters on Nov. 1 to began levying a $105 fine for false smoke alarms. Offenders get a warning at first and a fine the second time, though first-time offenders can erase their first citation by attending a smoke-alarm education class.
Fire officials rolled out the $105 smoke-alarm fine as officials considered a separate city-code revision to address similar problems with security-alarm systems.
A Phoenix City Auditor's report reviewed in early October by the city's Public Safety and Veterans Subcommittee estimated the city would recover $537,000 through the fee increases, including a false-alarm inspection fee that would jump from $60 to $200.
The changes were recommended by the Electronic Security Association (formerly the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association) and the Arizona Alarm Association. The City Council was to consider the additional fine before the end of 2009.
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