City Hopes to Reduce False Alarm Calls

City of Atlanta residents and businesses are being urged to register their burglar and security alarms as an amended false alarm ordinance draws near.

A Reporter Newspaper article reported on the extra efforts of Atlanta and other metro cities including Dunwoody to curb false alarm calls. Atlanta's ordinance kicks in Sept. 15, the article states.

A city of Atlanta press release, which was also posted in the news report, states: ""In 2012, the Atlanta Police Department responded to 65,000 alarm system activations, 95% of which were false alarms or alarms that were cancelled in route."

Also from the press release: "There is a $150 fine for not registering an alarm. If an alarm is activated and it turns out to be false there is no fine, just a warning. The 2nd false alarm will result in a $50 fine to the homeowner. Fines will escalate for each false call thereafter."

The release states that Feb. 1, 2014 is the deadline for residents to register without penalty. Learn more about the registering your alarm at no cost.