Local News

Durham Considers Increasing False Alarm Fees

Posted Updated

DURHAM, N.C. — The Durham City Council is considering increasing the fees to homeowners who repeatedly have false alarms in a one-year time period.

"We had 17,427 false alarms in 2003, which ultimately costs our taxpayers $2.5 million," said Julie Brenman, interim assistant city manager.

The current false alarm ordinance allows for one false alarm per month and only charges $48 for a false police alarm and $100 for a false fire alarm for anything over the one per month allotment.

Under the proposal, residents would only get one false alarm per year. The fines for more false alarms would increase from as little as $48 to $150 and higher.

If approved, the new policy would become effective Jan. 1, 2006.

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.