SUMMARY
JACKSON, TN – The city of Jackson is preparing to enforce $25 fines starting next month for homes and businesses that trigger false alarms requiring a response from firefighters and police officers.
According to a news release starting Oct. 1, the city of Jackson will require all commercial and residential burglar alarm systems to be registered and any address generating three or more false alarms in a
permit period will face penalties.
There is an additional civil penalty of $25 for each subsequent alarm occurring at the same address within the permit period. The initial permit period will be Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
Subsequent permit periods will be Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 beginning in 2014. The city passed the alarm ordinance in September 2012.
ALARM ORDINANCE IN FORCE
The City of Jackson passed an Alarm Ordinance in September, 2012. The ordinance incorporated a six month grace period to allow for alarm registration. In March, Mayor Gist extended the grace period while the Jackson Police Department was changing Records Management Systems.
Between March and September, 2013 there were 943 locations with three or more false alarms. The Alarm Manager at the Jackson Police Department sent warning notices to these locations this week. These are only warning notices. It appears some addresses in the County may have inadvertently gotten notices and that problem is being addressed. Addresses having multiple false alarms may have a problem that needs to be examined.
Per the Ordinance, all commercial and residential fire and burglar alarm systems in the City of Jackson must be registered. The police and fire departments will still respond to all reported alarms at the addresses given whether the alarm is registered or not. After October 1, when police or fire respond to an alarm location that is not registered or whose registration is incorrect or outdated, the responsible parties at that residence or business will be assessed a civil penalty of $25 each time a response is required while that address remains unregistered or incorrectly registered.
Also per the ordinance, any address generating more than three false alarms in a permit period (excluding those caused by inclement weather or a malfunction that is beyond the owner’s control) will be assessed a civil penalty of $25. There is an additional civil penalty of $25 for EACH subsequent alarm occurring at the same address within the permit period. The initial permit period will be October 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Only locations with three or more false alarms reported during that period will be assessed civil penalties. Subsequent permit periods will be January 1 – December 31 beginning in 2014.
Please register your alarm at:
http://www.cityofjackson.net/false%20alarm/ where alarm owners or responsible parties can also access a copy of the Alarm Ordinance and some helpful answers to frequently asked questions.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
• Alarm permits are not transferable
• Changes in permit information must be submitted in writing within 30 days
• Audible alarms that sound for more than 15 minutes may result in a fine
• How do I avoid civil penalties for excessive false alarms?
- Make sure all alarm users and key holders are trained to use the system, and know the code to arm and disarm the system, including how to cancel a false alarm.
- Be sure doors and windows are properly closed and locked before arming the system. Unsecured doors and windows are easily jarred, resulting in false alarms
- Be sure motion sensors are adjusted correctly, especially if you have pets
- Have an arming delay of at least 60 seconds and arrange with your alarm company NOT to call the police if the system goes off immediately after it has been armed. Frequently, people take too long to exit the premises, or set the system off by re-entering
- If your alarm system is easily set off by thunderstorms or power outages, have it repaired or adjusted
- Read and follow the instructions in your operator’s manual
Violations for failure to register; and violations for installing, maintaining, or using an audible system with a continual sound for more than 15 minutes may be enforced through the assessment of civil penalties.
Call (731) 425-8435 or contact your alarm company, if you have any questions
