Augusta, Ga., Likely to Get False Alarm Ordinance

July 18, 2005
Ordinance responds to high number of false alarms coming from downtown area apartment community

Downtown Augusta, Ga., will likely be the home of a new ordinance for false alarms. The city's public safety committee has recommended approval of an ordinance that would seek to recoup costs of responding to false security alarms.

Interestingly, the ordinance seems particularly targeted at the city's Richmond Summit apartments, from which an average of one false alarm per day originates according to a report in the Augusta Chronicle.

The proposed ordinance starts with a $100 fine after two alarms, and $100 for each additional false alarm. Fines will increase to $300 if not paid within 30 days according to proposed ordinance.

The Chronicle's report said that the proposed ordinance will make exceptions for weather-related false alarms.

To become enacted the proposed ordinance will need to be approved by the full city commission.