A news report on KGBT-4 out of Harlingen, Texas, indicates that the city will be focusing on a false alarm problem.
The report indicated that some 72 percent of the Harlingen emergency response costs were attributed to false alarms, largely of the burglar or fire alarm variety.
To respond, KGBT-4 reports, the police will be enforcing a city ordinance that deals with burglar alarms. The ordinance requires that commercial alarm systems be permitted from the police department and requires "routine maintenance" to prevent false alarms. While residential systems will not require a permit, they will be on a fine system (from $50 to $250 according to the report on www.kgbt4.com.
