Warren County, N.C., passes alarm law

Feb. 12, 2009
County commissioners adopt ordinance that charges fines for repeated false alarms

Home and business owners in Warren County, N.C., who suffer more than two false alarms in a calendar year will now have to shell out money for fines thanks to a new ordinance passed by county commissioners earlier this week.

According to published reports, the fee for false alarms three through five will be $50. Alarm owners will be charged $100 for any sixth or subsequent violation of the new ordinance.

Those who have alarm system activations triggered by bad weather, an outside animal, electrical power outage, a fire, or during testing procedures will not be subject to a fine.

The ordinance, which also makes it illegal for someone to activate an alarm without cause, goes into effect on Feb. 16.