THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220182
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
City Council has adopted a false alarm ordinance that will take effect Jan. 1.
The ordinance requires residential and business burglar alarm system users to obtain a $30 permit from the city within 30 days.
The Fire and Police Departments will issue a warning for the first false alarm at a particular location and will reserve the right to assess fees for subsequent false alarms at the same place. The department of finance will be responsible for collecting the fees.
The Fire Department's fees will be based on the type of equipment and vehicles and number of personnel used and the time, based on quarter hours, spent on the call.
The time will be multiplied by the following usage rate: Engine company, $60; ladder company, $65; squad truck, $50; rescue/salvage truck, $50; brush truck, $50; pickup truck, $30; battalion chief's vehicle, $30; and personnel, $10.50 an hour.
The Police Department will assess the following fees for more than one false alarm within a 180-day period: $25 for the second false alarm and $100 for the third and subsequent false alarms. The fifth false alarm within a 180-day period will require an inspection from a registered alarm company to certify that the alarm system is free from defects.
For more information on false alarms, call Lt. Jeff Messinger at the Fire Department, 539-8787, or Mike Simpkins at the Police Department, 925-6357.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL by CNB