Council approves new alarm ordinance

HASTINGS, Minn.—An April 20 story from The Hastings Star-Gazette reports there's a new law requiring alarm system users to register their alarms with the city. The law was approved April 18.

The ordinance requires anyone in control of an alarm system that is intended to summon police or fire personnel to complete a free registration process with the city. Police may issue citations if they respond to an alarm that is not registered. It also deems a public nuisance any alarm system that sounds for longer than 20 minutes, emits an audible or visual signal more than twice within an hour or sounds a false alarm.

Under the new law, alarm system users are allowed two false alarms a year. If their alarm sounds more than that, they would be required to pay a fine. The fee schedule was to be determined at a May 2 council meeting.