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Shelby County, Tenn. working on new false alarm ordinance

Shelby County, Tenn. working on new false alarm ordinance

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn.--A March 26 story from the Commercial Appeal reports a new false alarm ordinance is in the works here. The Shelby County Commission is considering a measure that would impose fines on people whose home or business burglar alarms frequently register false reports. The proposal passed a 7-2 vote before a committee Wednesday and must pass three additional votes before the full commission to become law.

The ordinance sets limits on the number of allowable false alarms within a 12-month period. For the first three false alarms, the owner receives a written warning. At the fourth false alarm, the owner must attend a mandatory alarm user class. After the fifth false alarm, the owner must pay a $25 fine and will receive a letter requiring inspection of their alarm. After the seventh false alarm, the owner must pay a $25 fine and civil damages of $90. After the eighth false alarm, the owner must pay a $25 fine, civil damages of $90, and would be placed on a “do not respond” list. An additional $50 fine could be levied each day against those who refuse to pay the other fees and fix the problem.

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